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A "Goten" is an important building within a Japanese castle, primarily serving as the residential and administrative space for the castle lord (daimyo) and his family. It was the central area for living, political decisions, and ceremoni...

Obi kuruwa: A Key Element in Japanese Castle Defense Obi kuruwa is a Japanese term referring to a specific type of enclosure within a castle complex. It translates literally to "belt enclosure" and describes a long, narrow section of for...

As a castle term, a gangi is a staircase or a structure with a similar shape. They are said to be so called because the diagonally aligned flight of geese looks like a staircase. They are installed so that defenders can move quickly from...

The kanokimon is a type of traditional Japanese gate with the following characteristics A kanjikimon consists of two upright pillars and a horizontal tree (kabuki) connecting them. The gate is often a simple design with no door. In moder...

The yakuimon is a gate form often used especially for temples and samurai residences, and has the following characteristics. It consists of four pillars: two main pillars (at the front) and two antechambers (at the rear). The gable roof ...

The "Ano-shu" were a group of skilled stonemasons and builders active in Japan from the medieval period through the early modern period. Originating from the Ano region in Ohmi Province (present-day Shiga Prefecture), they were renowned ...

Daimyo were local lords in feudal Japan, especially during the period from the Kamakura (1185-1333) to the Edo (1603-1868) period, who had vast lands and private armies and great political, military and economic power. Daimyo were charac...

This is one of the methods of assembling stone walls in Japanese castle construction, a technique where stones are precisely cut and combined. This method improves the stability and aesthetics of the entire stone wall and enhances the de...

One of the defensive structures used in Japanese castle architecture, especially designed to strengthen the defence of castle gates, this spatial structure shows how the space is divided into squares and rectangles. Its name derives from...

A specially constructed turret in Japanese castle architecture, a turret with multiple gates. It is sometimes also called a nagaya. Tamon-yaguras were built as long turrets on the castle walls. They were placed in important circles such ...