Although no wooden structures have survived to modern times, the stronghold’s foundations and walls remain intact and are fine examples of stonework from the tumultuous Warring States period (1467–1568). While inhabited, Takeda Castle-at 353 meters above sea level-gave lookouts a commanding, unhindered view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Set low, Takeda Castle has inspired some imaginative admirers to compare it to a crouching tiger. Akamatsu Hirohide was appointed lord of the keep, but the castle was abandoned when he committed ritual suicide after aligning with the losing side in the nation-unifying Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.Īll that remains of Takeda Castle now are its stone foundation and ramparts, which even after 400 years appear as sturdy as when they were constructed. However, in 1577 the warrior Hashiba Hidenaga conquered the castle in the name of his half-brother, warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, as part of a campaign to reunify Japan. A typical mountain fortress, it stood watch over the surrounding province.
Takeda Castle was constructed in the mid-fifteenth century by the influential military leader Yamana Sōzen (1404–73). Just after 8:00, the morning sun dispels the last traces of mist. Takeda Castle floats above the clouds at dawn. The phenomenon is short-lived, though, with most of the mist dissipating a few hours after sunrise. The best conditions are a clear, breezeless morning following a sunny day, with relatively high humidity and a difference of 10☌ or more between the day’s low and high temperatures. During this period sunshine warms the waters of the nearby Maruyama River during the day, and then in the early morning hours cold air summons vapor from the heated surface, filling the valley in a thick, white haze. The best time to find Takeda Castle floating on mist is from October to December, when conditions are ripe for producing fog. The stone foundations of the keep date back more than 400 years.
The uptick in attention has attracted tourists and history buffs alike, but crowds remain relatively tame and do not detract from the spectacular views. That year Takeda saw a record 580,000 visitors come to view the castle remains. The ruins have since starred in commercials, including one for Google Japan, and were used as a filming location for NHK’s 2014 Taiga drama-the national broadcaster’s annual period piece. The castle and its captivating bed of clouds remained a relatively obscure tourist attraction until the first decade of this century, when the Japan Castle Foundation included it in its list of the country’s 100 finest castles. The early morning phenomenon creates an enchanting scene and has given the ancient site its nickname, “the castle in the clouds.” The otherworldly impression is heightened during the autumn and early winter, when fog fills the surrounding valley, making it appear as if the ruins of the feudal keep are floating on a river of mist. The ruins of Takeda Castle hover above the town of Asago in the mountains of Hyōgo Prefecture like a scene from a medieval fairytale.
0 kommentar(er)
