Friday, November 2, 2012

VISITING CASTLES IN AOMORI

We visited castles in Aomori prefecure.

青森県の城めぐりをしてきました。


Hirosakijou castle.
The first feudal lord of this castle was a retainer of Nanbu clan.
 
弘前城です。最初の藩主大浦為信は南部氏の家臣でした。
 
 
The crest of this feudal clan.
 
津軽藩の紋は杏葉牡丹(津軽牡丹)です。
 
 
The front gate of this castle.
 
追手門です。
 
 
Tinted autumnal leaves were very beautiful.We could see Mt.Iwaki over there.
 
紅葉が綺麗でした。遥か遠くにに岩木山が見えました。
 
 
Japanese maple leaves were beautiful too.
 
紅葉もとても綺麗でした。
 
 
The north gate of this castle.
 
この城の北門です。
 
 
The site of Nejou castle.(restoration)
Nanbu clan's first castle. Controlled by Nanbu Mituyuki.
 
南部氏の最初の城、根城です。(復元)南部光行が支配しました。
 
 
Nanbu clan's crest.
 
南部氏の紋「向かい鶴」(南部鶴)です。
 
 
The site of Hachinohe castle.The third son of Nanbu Mituyuki controlled this castle.
 
南部光行の三男、実長がここを与えられました。
 
 
 
The Tuna gate of Sannohe castle. (Restoration)
The secon son of  Nanbu Mituyuki controlled this castle.
 
三戸城の綱御門です。(復元)南部光行の二男、実光がここを与えられました。
 
 
 
 

31 comments:

  1. Very nice.

    Do you know what the clan crest represents Minoru?

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    1. Dear lina. The first crest means that Tugaru clan group had very close relationships with aristocratic clan,named Konoe. Konoe clan 's crest is peony.
      The second crest means when one of Nanbu clan saw a two clanes, lucky things happened.

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  2. What beautiful castles in those lovely autumn colours.

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    1. Dear Lady Fi. Thank you very much for your comment.

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  3. The maples are so red! Here in Tokyo we're still waiting and waiting and waiting ...

    I can see shachihiko on Hirosaki's gates! ^^

    PS: Why is Hachinohe's gate called Tuna Gate?!

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    1. Dear Rurousha. Shachihoko is imaginary fish. It was believed when a fire started shachihoko would set out water. Azuchi castle set up a pair of shachihoko first in Japan by ODA Nobunaga.
      Tuna means rope. The rope was set in front of this gate. Tuna was set for peace.

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    2. Oh! It's a rope! Not a tuna fish for sushi! :D I misunderstood.

      I checked the kanji: 綱 = tuna = rope. I probably won't remember the kanji, but I'll never again forget that tuna is a Japanese word for rope!

      Thanks for being my sensei again. :)

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    3. Dear Rurousha. I feel happy you understood the meaning of tuna.

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  4. You have got some very interesting pictures here. I really like to see them.

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    1. Dear s.c. Thank you very much for your comment.

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  5. Dear Jim. Thank you very much for your comment.

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  6. I've never seen a Japanese castle before, and especially like the Hirosakijou Castle in your first photo - imposing, but beautiful! Did you get to go inside?
    Your scenery shots are beautiful, and the color of the Japanese Maple is gorgeous!

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    1. Dear Laloofah. Thank you very much for your comment.Japanese people like castles very much. Looking at castles,we would consider the history of the times.
      Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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  7. Beautiful captures! Happy sky watching.

    Skywatch

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    1. Dear Liz. Thank you very much for your comment.

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  8. 弘前城はまだ行ったことがありません。桜の季節にぜひ行きたいと思い続けているんですけど。
    家紋って本当にデザインが素敵ですね。

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    1. Merry Witch 様 おはようございます。             今年の春にもこの城に行きましたが、前日の強風でソメイヨシノは全て散ってしまいました。
       桜の咲いている時期に行けるには幸運も必要の様です。
       私も家紋は好きで必ずチェツクしています。

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  9. Another beautiful view in your place.

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    1.  Dear Rainfield. Thank you very much for your comment.

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  10. Japanese castles are very different from European castles!! Equally intriguing!! I love that capture of the maple tree in flaming red!!

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    1. Dear Judy. I think so too. Japan is a island country. There are many big forests. People did not know how to make stone arch structure at that time.
      Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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  11. The castles are beautiful, as are the autumn colors in the surrounding countryside.

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    1. Dear Pat. Thank you very much for your comment.Aomori located in northern area. So it was the best time to see tinted autumnal leaves. Not yet in Tokyo.

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  12. These photographs are wonderful, Minoru
    I just love the first one. I wonder what the inside looks like.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Dear Lisa. Thank you. This castle tower is the symbol of the many buildings. at the same time this tower is the area for the final battle. There were many weapons in this building.

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  13. 5枚目の写真ですが、紅葉が本当にきれいです。
    青森は今がちょうど紅葉の時期なんですね、素晴らしいです。
    弘前城は桜の季節にしか行ったことがありませんが、
    春と秋でこんなに色彩が変化してるとは驚きました。

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    1. 世空旅心様 おはようございます。お城をじっくり見るのなら秋の方が良いですね。
       今年の春、桜の季節にも行きましたが、前日の強風でソメイヨシノは全て散っていました。
       露店が軒を連ねていて歩くのも大変でした。
       紅葉はもう終わっているかなと思って行きましたが、丁度見ごろでした。

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  14. I love visiting castles and forts too. And the gates in Japan impressed me so much. They are huge :)
    Have a happy weekend Minoru :)

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    1. Dear Arti. Thank you very much for your comment. I feel happy you like castles and forts.
      Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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