Akō Castle

Akō Castle 赤穂城
Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Type	Japanese castle
Site information
Condition	Ruins, though a few buildings have been reconstructed
Site history
Built	About1615
Built by	Asano Naganao
In use	1615 to the Meiji Restoration
Materials	Earth, stone, and wood
Demolished	Meiji Restoration

Akō Castle (赤穂城, Akō-jō) is a flatland castle located in Akō, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The castle is a nationally designated Historic Site and its gardens a Place of Scenic Beauty.

History

This Akō castle is not to be confused with an earlier fortification located to the north. When the present castle was constructed, it took 13 years to complete the 12 gates and 10 yagura, or towers. Also, the castle was built on the seashore, and at the time of its construction, one could set sail from docks located in the castle. The construction was done under the surveillance of Asano Naganao, who became the lord of the region in 1615. During the Meiji Restoration, Akō Castle was partly dismantled, along with many other castles. However, several buildings have since been re-constructed, following the end of the Second World War.

Literature

• Schmorleitz, Morton S. (1974). Castles in Japan. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Co.. ISBN 0-8048-1102-4. 

External links

Google (16 July 2013). "Akō Castle on Google maps". Google Maps (Map). https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Japan+%E3%80%92+678-0235+Hyogo-ken,+Ak%C5%8D-shi,+Kamikariya,+2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=34.747607,134.3894&spn=0.039987,0.084543&sll=34.75344,134.391278&sspn=0.039985,0.084543&hnear=Japan,+Hy%C5%8Dgo-ken,+Ak%C5%8D-shi,+Kamikariya,+%EF%BC%92&t=m&z=14.