Japanese castles have unique characteristics that are unique to the world, including the castle tower.
Since ancient times, there are many world-class buildings such as the Nintoku Emperor's Mausoleum, Todaiji Temple, and Himeji Castle.
Differences between world and Japanese castles
Comparing pre-modern architecture and megastructures between Japan and the world, there is a big difference.
However, while such buildings in the world, such as Greek temples and pyramids, are made of stone made of almost constant dimensions, Japanese architecture and structures are mainly made of earth or wood, and stone. Is used in auxiliary places.
Many castles in the world are made of stone-stacked walls and buildings. Some Japanese castles are protected by stone walls made of stone, but the stone walls were made so that the foundation soil would not collapse, so it cannot be said to be a stone structure.
In Japan, the reason why large stone structures were not made is that there are few sedimentary rocks that are easy to cut out and process like continents, and there are many hard lumps of igneous rocks, even if there are suitable stone materials. It is thought that it was difficult to transport due to the complicated terrain such as mountains and rivers.
Also, since Japan is an earthquake-prone country, it can be said that there was a great risk of collapse due to an earthquake even if a building made of only stones was built.
The unique development of Japanese castles is not just a cultural difference, but a product that is inevitably created from the geology and topography of Japan.
Although there are techniques for forming soil and making wooden structures that are world-class, such as Emperor Nintoku and Todaiji Temple, the lack of large stone structures is largely due to the nature of the stones.
* Sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks
Thick deposits of volcanic ash and debris of living things, which are solidified by pressure, are called sedimentary rocks.
Sandstone, limestone, etc. are relatively easy to process.
Igneous rocks are magma that has cooled and solidified on the surface or underground. It is hard and lumpy, so it is difficult to process.
The definition of [castle] is different between China and Japan
In China, the city is [ Chengshi ] Is called. [ Castle ] Refers to the walls that surround a city or region. The building where the lord lives is [ palace 】is.
[ Great Wall ] In English " Great Wall wall It is.
Then, in Japan, [ castle ] Means [ Castle 】is.
Japanese castles are basically the lord's residence is. Surrounding it are earthworks and stone walls that are moats or raised soil, and even if a wall is built on top of it, there are almost no castle walls made entirely of stone.
Therefore, like China, [ castle =wall ] Will not be.
In fact, at least almost all castles in the Edo period had castle towns, and some kind of town defense was considered, such as surrounding the entire castle town with a moat. However, even during the Warring States period, unlike China and Europe, there was no battle to destroy each other's territories and peoples, and it was a battle between samurai, so [ castle =lord's mansion ] Is considered to have been recognized.
From that,
- In Japan, a castle =a military closed parcel
- In China, the castle =the walls surrounding the city
It is thought that the idea of saying is strong.