Akō Castle

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Ōtesumi-yagura and Ōtemon (gate).

Another view of the Ōtemon and Ōtesumi-yagura

Akō Castle (赤穂城, Akō-jō^?) is a flatland castle located in Akō, Hyōgo. The castle now is a national historic site.

[edit] History

In the foreground is a concrete platform which represents the ninomaru palace, and in the background is the base of the tenshu.

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.^[1]

[edit] Sources

::::: Castles & Castle Towns ::::: Hyogo International Tourism Guide --- Hyogo Prefecture ---