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| Yes, really ! Cherry Blossoms Balloons, in the street leading to the Castle |
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| matzah and Odawara Castle, Tokyo Japan |
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| I loved seeing that this Castle has triangular shaped windows!! Did you know what these small windows are for in a castle? Something would be pointed out towards the outer area as a defense from the enemy. |
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| The cherry blossoms at Odawara castle were exquisite. Below is where the "moat" was at one time. Most of this castle is re-constructed, but it was a beautiful site to see how it was and the the cherry trees blossoms always a new. |
The earth is the Lord`s and all that is in it.
Psalm 24:1
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I LOVE the red lamps!
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty good idea for the defense windows. I wonder how they thought of that. Maybe just common sense!
Thanks Sandi! I always loved those lanterns too, one of the first things I loved in Japan, and so it makes me happy to see them too. Kind of nostalgic in a childlike way! Yes, about the defense windows, in the Castle near where I live we have many of those windows and they are square shape, and small, going all around the castle walls. The walls are thick too. The Castles are designed completely with defense in mind, so there are many architectural elements like that that reflect that purpose!!
ReplyDeleteOh, my, such beautiful pictures! I like them all: the rich cherry blossom tree, the triangle windows, the matza, the red bridge, the street to the casle...
ReplyDeleteIf you live near the castle, then you live in some sort of magic area.
Thank you Duta. Glad you enjoyed them, the windows and the matza too!! Are there castles in Israel? I do like living near a castle. All cities in Japan are built around or near a Castle btw (I"m pretty sure, but should check that, anyway there are a lot of Castles in Japan!) Its something that is intriguing to me too. Stay tuned I may post one more that I saw on this trip.
ReplyDeleteI really love cherry, apple and pear blossoms.
ReplyDeleteIt has been quite cold here up to now though we had a few quite warm days a few months ago, Spring did not really arrive. Sadly I saw many cherry blossom trees which did not fully bloom and are losing their leaves. In some streets though there are beautiful white blossoms. In others streets many pink blossoms and still no blossoms in other streets. Quite a variety of blooming times this year.
BTW, I too love the lanterns. I learned something new from your comment that all cities in Japan are built around or near a castle.
ReplyDeleteDear Joyful, and to Duta and Sandi as well! Your comments led me to look a little up about the castles, and I will copy a little about the castle towns and defense architecture and planning. Apparently before the castle towns they were built mostly on high areas, but at a certain period they were build in lower areas and became centers of Castle towns! This part below is from an internet article on castles:
ReplyDeleteCastle Structures and Castle Towns
The typical castle consisted of multiple rings of defense, with the so called honmaru ("main circle") in the center followed by the ninomaru ("second circle") and sannomaru ("third circle"). The castle tower stood in the honmaru, while the lords usually lived at a more comfortable residence in the ninomaru.
In the town around the castle, the samurai were residing. The higher their rank, the closer they lived to the castle. Merchants and artisans lived in specially designated areas, while temple and entertainment districts were usually located in the outskirts of the city or just outside of it. Tokyo and Kanazawa are two good examples among many Japanese cities which evolved as castle towns.
The main construction material for castle buildings used to be wood, as can be witnessed when visiting the interior of one of the surviving original castles. Most newer reconstructions, however, were made of concrete, and their interiors are modern. Many castles now house a museum.
Thank you Shayndel. I enjoyed learning more about the castles and towns.
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