
Images: Daniel O'Grady
熊本藩
Kumamoto Domain
加藤氏

Katō Clan
520,000 Koku
細川氏

Hosokawa Clan
540,000 Koku
熊本城
Kumamoto Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Teikakushiki), and is located in Kumamoto Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Higo Province. It is associated with the Katō, Hosokawa clans. Dates in use: 1469 - 1874.
This castle was designed by Katō Kiyomasa; a man recognised as a master of castle construction. It possesses a similar sense of scale that exudes from Osaka Castle as well as the twisting & turning, maze-like walls of Himeji Castle. Kumamoto Castle is in the midst of a long term restoration but even now it inspires awe just as it once did.
A large reconstructed keep is the centerpiece of what is a largely complete Japanese castle. The large Uto Yagura (originally the keep of Uto castle & of Kiyomasa's rival, the Konishi clan) & several gates & turrets remain from the Edo period. Presently efforts are under way to rebuild further sections of this already large castle.
The smaller tower of Kumamoto was built sometime after the main tower. It had several facilities including a well & a kitchen. There was also enough space for all samurai to gather & defend the castle in a last stand.
Timeline
1467 | Fortifications were established by Ideta Hidenobu. |
1496 | Additional fortifications were built on the other side of the mountain by Kanokogi Chikakazu. |
1587 | Fief awarded to Sasa Narimasa by Toyotomi Hideyoshi after the defeat of the Shimazu. |
1588 | Kato Kiyomasa was transferred to a former incarnation of Kumamoto Castle. |
1601 | Construction on a vastly expanded Kumamoto Castle commenced. |
1607 | Kumamoto castle completed. The original castle consisted of 49 turrets, 18 turret gates & 29 smaller gates. |
1610 | The Honmaru Goten Palace was completed. |
1632 | Fief transferred to the Hosokawa clan. |
1640 | The legendary swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi became a guest retainer of the Hosokawa clan. |
1877 | The main tower & half of the other structures burnt down in the Seinan war. |
1960 | The main tower was reconstructed using concrete. |
1998 | A major restoration of the castle began. |
1999 | Restoration of the Nishidemaru Enclosure started as did the rebuilding of the Minami Ote Yaguramon Gate (completed in 2002.) |
2001 | Rebuilding of the five-story Iida Turret began (completed in 2005.) |
2004 | All key buildings of the Nishidemaru & Bugyomaru Enclosures were completed. |
2008 | The Honmaru Goten Palace was completed. |
Historical recognition
Site | Special National Historical Site |
Uto Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Tago Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Shichiken Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Juyonken Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Yonken Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Gennoshin Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Higashi Juhachiken Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Kita Juhachiken Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Goken Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Hira Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Kenmotsu Turret | Important Cultural Property |
Naga bei wall | Important Cultural Property |
Akazunomon Gate | Important Cultural Property |