| b) Description and inventory | The designated buildings at Himeji-jo maintain the historical composition of an early 17th century castle complex, and also are characterized by design of outstanding artistic value. The nominated property thus meets the Article 1 definition of "groups of buildings". The nominated group consists of 82 buildings as listed in Appendix 6, Inventory of buildings and copies official designation notices. Although most of the buildings date back to the time of Ikeda Terumasa, constructed between 1601 and 1609, the towers and plastered earthen walls of one section of the Nishi-no-maru compound (the west bailey) were changed by Honda Tadamasa in the first half of the seventeenth century, and the easternmost gate of one section of the Ni-no-maru compound (the second bailey) dates back to a time earlier than that of Ikeda, to 1599. At the center is the Tenshu-gun (the complex consisting of the donjon, three keeps and connecting structures, hereinafter referred to as the "donjon complex"). Surrounding these tall tower structures with their multiple layers of projecting roofs are structures used as watchtowers (turrets), gate buildings and plastered earthen walls all positioned according to strategic defensive planning considerations. This beautiful castle composition can be seen from almost any point in the city. The donjon complex which forms the nucleus of the castle is situated at the highest location toward the northeastern part of the inner walled zone. The Dai-Tenshu (donjon) has five projecting roofs on the exterior, but actually has six interior stories plus one basement story; this donjon, together with the Higashi-kotenshu (3-story keep, to the east), the Inui-kotenshu (3-story keep, to the northwest) and the Nishi-kotenshu (3-story keep, to the west) are located at the four corners of the inner enclosure; the donjon and keeps are connected by narrow corridor structures (Watariyagura) completing an enclosure containing a courtyard. The main pathway to the donjon complex is form the southwest. The land is partitioned to enclose ramped passageway spaces which rise gradually toward the donjon complex. The circulation layout was designed according to defensive planning principles, with plastered earthen walls forming the boundaries of each section and with gates positioned at several points along these walled passages. One must pass through a number of such gates, each a well-defended position, in order to reach the donjon. The gates closest to the donjon, in particular, are very simple ones, designed to appear as if they were part of the walls; de-emphasized in this manner, these gates were intended to deceive the attacking enemy soldiers in case they were able to penetrate this far into the castle. |
