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:

Indigo dyeing and goldfish

Cheers to Hina Dolls and Womanhood

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