Copyright © 2004 Shuji Inoue, All Rights Reserved
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Kumamoto Castle is not world heritage. But Kumamoto Castle, sometimes called the Castle of Ginkgo Trees, is (with Osaka and Nagoya castles) one of the three most famous castles in Japan. Designed by Lord Kato Kiyomasa, the castle was completed in 1607. The 98 hectare grounds of the castle contain two main towers, 49 turrets and numerous other structures of historical interest within a 9 kilometer circumference. Notable aspects of the fortress are spectacular stone walls and the brilliant utilization of the natural terrain which attests to the engineering skills of Kato. To a merely regrettable thing, in 1877 the insurrectionist Satsuma (Kagoshima) Army led by Saigo Takamori provoked the Seinan Civil War, the last civil war in Japan. For almost all buildings, such as a size castle tower, are burned down in a regrettable thing, 12 buildings besides the Uto Yagura remain in it, and it has become the important cultural property of Japan. 400 years of history is minced without naturally burning down Stone Walls. The tower burned down is under revival towards construction-of-a-castle 400 years in present 2007.
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