I haven’t studied medieval Japanese warfare much so I’m not entirely sure about the defensive capabilities of castles like this. They look to me, an enthusiast of European and Mid-Eastern fortifications, to be flimsy and lacking in certain features that adorn western castles like curtain walls, turrets, crenelations, and the ability to withstand cannon fire. Obviously, Japanese castles answer issues that arose in Japanese warfare but curtain walls, crenelations, and tower-turrets are such no-brainers that I struggle to see how no one saw fit to include them in their designs. Is the castle pictured above actually just the citadel and are we not seeing the broader defenses? Also, I have to imagine cannons were present in Japanese warfare seeing as though the Chinese Empire was next door and had access to gunpowder for centuries. Did the Japanese account for the destructive power of cannon shot? Anyone?
Fofolito says
I haven’t studied medieval Japanese warfare much so I’m not entirely sure about the defensive capabilities of castles like this. They look to me, an enthusiast of European and Mid-Eastern fortifications, to be flimsy and lacking in certain features that adorn western castles like curtain walls, turrets, crenelations, and the ability to withstand cannon fire. Obviously, Japanese castles answer issues that arose in Japanese warfare but curtain walls, crenelations, and tower-turrets are such no-brainers that I struggle to see how no one saw fit to include them in their designs. Is the castle pictured above actually just the citadel and are we not seeing the broader defenses? Also, I have to imagine cannons were present in Japanese warfare seeing as though the Chinese Empire was next door and had access to gunpowder for centuries. Did the Japanese account for the destructive power of cannon shot? Anyone?
biggryno says
That blue is gorgeous