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Monday, April 4, 2022

Sakura at Koriyama Castle Ruins



Koriyama Castle was built in the 16th century.  After Tutui Junkei defeated his long-term enemy Matsunaga Hisahide in 1580, he moved to Koriyama and built Koriyama Castle by strengthening fortifications which already existed there. In 1587, Toyotomi Hidenaga moved into the castle and upgraded it to a large scale castle. The castle was held by various different feudal lords one after another till 1724 when Yanagisawa Yoshisato became the lord of Koriyama domain. The Yanagisawa clan continued to rule till Meiji Restoration (1868). During the governing system transition from feudal lords to prefecture's governors, the lord of the domain declared no reconstruction of the buildings which were burnt down to ashes in 1858.  New Meiji government accepted it and the remaining gates and turrets were sold and taken away by being put out to tender. Stone walls and moats alone were left.  After a long time, Otte-mon Gate and two yagura (turrets) were reconstructed in 1983, 1984 and 1987 respectively.


Koriyama Castle Ruins is one of the top 100 scenic sites for Sakura viewing. 
Ephemeral sakura blossoms look symbolizing fleeting prosperity of feudal lords of the past.


The stone walls is one of the two things that remained from the original structure.
Tenshudai", Foundation of the Main Tower, is 81 meters in height.


During the construction of the walls, Toyotomi Hidenaga ran out of materials.
He ordered donation of whatever stone, plain rocks, gravestones, garden stones 
and even Buddhist engravings and statues.
About 140 diverted stones are found including the upside down Jizo in lower left.

 
In the view from the Tenshudai, the architecture is Castle Ruins Hall,
 the former Nara Prefectural Library (1908) built in Nara City originally.
It was relocated to this site in Koriyama City, 1968.


The backyard of the Castle Ruins Hall was enveloped in the pink clouds 
with many Sakura branches stretching high or hanging over close to the gound.






Another original structure is inner moats.


Amid the chaos of the world, sadness and anger seep in everyday life.
 I was more thankful in the consolation and calm energy radiated from the blossoms. 

Shimmering pink reflection






Southside stone walls

Right opposite from the southside stone wall is Nara Prefectural Koriyama High School.
The site of the school used to be Ninomaru (outer citadel) of the castle.


Since academic year starts in April in Japan, freshmen attend entrance ceremony
under the canopy of Sakura blossoms.


Koriyama City has developed around the castle.
Past posts about Hina Dolls, goldfish and other industry of Koriyama City:


My second grand-child/daughter Y turned 9.
Her budding interests are knitting and sewing.
I presented a felt sewing machine on her request.
She was happy when her sciene experiment report about dyeing Japanese papaers 
with various colored morning glories and other summer flowers was chosen
for the Environmental Panel exhibition hosted by her city.
She doesn't like strawberries and whipped cream.
 Her birthday cake is decorated with cookies, chocolate and sugar paste.
She loves sushi above all!



Linked to Mosaic Monday

14 comments:

  1. 桜が咲いた郡山城はこんなに美しく広々した所だったのだと知りました。郡山高校まで歩いたのですね。
    脚は大丈夫でしたか?お孫さんの9歳のお誕生日と彼女の作品が環境パネル展に選ばれておめでとうございます!
    それにしても美味しそうなケーキ。うちは、コロナで心配しましたが、第1志望の高校に合格してホットしています。孫の成長は早いです。

    そうですね。痛ましい戦争のニュースが流れる毎日。満開の桜が私達に幸せを運んできてくれてるように感じます。世界の平和を祈らずにはいられません。

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  2. Gorgeous place to visit ! Thanks for the tour ! Your photos are amazing....
    Happy belated Birthday to your granddaughter ! Your mosaic is beautiful !
    Have a lovely week !
    Anna

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  3. It is a joy to see your beautiful Sakura blossom which is always so exquisite. The clouds of pink and white blossom surrounding the castle ruins are perfection. Mother nature is so important at helping to ease the pressures that surround us all today.
    Your beautiful grandchildren are growing up quickly - granddaughter 'y' looks as if she had a really happy birthday celebration.

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  4. I am alwzys fasicnated by pictures ans stories about bloomin g sakura

    I am at 20 on the linky today

    Much💜love

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  5. Un placer llegar y ver esta explosión de flores. Preciosas fotos. Me encantó el reflejo. Sin duda un lugar que gusta visitar.
    Felicidades a tu nieta y que cumpla muuuuchos años.
    Buen martes Yoko.
    Un abrazo.

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  6. Wonderful to read. I wished I could be there to visit this locations. The blooms are lovely ... and by the way, we have springtime too, but stormy cold wheather.

    Your granddaughter is a little beauty. Happy Birthday to her. How nice that she like to sew.

    Happy MosaicMonday

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  7. Happy birthday to your granddaughter.! The blooming trees are amazing!

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  8. Yoko - like the UK, the history in Japan is centuries old. It is almost hard to fathom these dates in ancient history! It is a beautiful site, all the more so for the Sakura blossoms. And what a fascinating story about the stones that were "re-purposed" for the tower. Congratulations to your granddaughter on her birthday! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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  9. The blossom is as beautiful as ever, but the castle serves as a reminder that men (mostly men, I'm afraid) have always fought and squabbled throughout history.

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  10. Happy belated birthday to your granddaughter who is now nine years old. It is a wonderful age. She is becoming more and more an individual with her own interests. I wish her well. The history of the castle is fascinating and sounds a lot like human history in that we deconstruct and then rebuild. Only the trees seem beyond it all, sharing their blossoms in war and peace.

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  11. Hello Yoko,
    What a beautiful and peaceful place for a walk. The Sakura blossoms are gorgeous. Happy belated birthday to your granddaughter, she sounds talented and creative. Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

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  12. A Very Enjoyable Post As Always - Incredible Blossoms For Sure - Another Wonderful Post My Friend

    Cheers

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  13. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. I had the pleasure of visiting Tokyo and Kyoto with the sakura in bloom, I was delighted with the landscapes and the culture of your country. Japan stayed in my heart and I would love to visit it again, it's just a shame it's so far away from where I live (Lisbon).
    Although late, Congratulations and best wishes to your granddaughter.

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