Akō Castle

Infobox Military Structure
name = Akō Castle
_ja. 赤穂城
partof =
location = Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
coordinates =


caption = Ōtesumi-yagura and Ōtemon (Ōte-gate)
type = Japanese castle
built = About1615
builder = Asano Naganao
materials = Earth, stone, and wood
height =
used = 1615 to the Meiji Restoration
demolished = Meiji Restoration
condition = Ruins, though a few buildings have been reconstructed
ownership =
controlledby =
garrison =
commanders =
occupants =
battles =
events = Nihongo|Akō Castle|赤穂城|Akō-jō is a flatland castle located in Akō, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. The castle now is a national historic site.

History

This Akō castle is not to be confused with an earlier fortification located to the north. When the present castle was constructed, it took 13 years to complete the 12 gates and 10 "yagura", or towers. Also, the castle was built on the seashore, and at the time of its construction, one could set sail from docks located in the castle. The construction was done under the surveillance of Asano Naganao, who became the lord of the region in 1615. During the Meiji Restoration, Akō Castle was partly dismantled, along with many other castles. However, several buildings have since been re-constructed, following the end of the Second World War. [http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/castle_town/]

Sources

[http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/castle_town/ ::::: Castles & Castle Towns ::::: Hyogo International Tourism Guide --- Hyogo Prefecture ---]

Literature

*cite book | title=Castles in Japan| last=Schmorleitz| first=Morton S.| date=1974| pages= | publisher=Charles E. Tuttle Co.| location=Tokyo| id=ISBN 0-8084-1102-4