0264 Valuable Edo-period castle tower still standing, the National Treasure of the City of Water, 'Matsue Castle' (Shimane Prefecture)
|Benefits of Matsue Castle|
Matchmaking, romantic luck, improved human relationships, good fortune and rising luck, success in competition, prosperous business, career luck
360-degree view of Matsue Castle
|About Matsue Castle|
Due to its sturdy structure and strategic location, Matsue Castle is imbued with energy for success in competition and career advancement. There is a heart-shaped wood grain pattern on a pillar in the castle tower, making it a power spot where touching it is said to improve romantic luck and human relationships.
There are only 12 castles in Japan that still possess a castle tower built before the Edo period, and Matsue Castle is one of them. The Momoyama-style castle tower is a 5-story, 6-level structure standing 30 meters tall; it is a magnificent and powerful sight, and a masterpiece among masterpieces designated as a National Treasure.
Matsue Castle is located in the center of Matsue, known as the 'City of Water,' and its beautiful scenery is one of its charms. The castle is surrounded by the Horikawa Moat, and this waterside landscape is soothing to the soul. The view of Matsue Castle from the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat is exceptional.
The Chidori Bridge is slightly visible in the back left.
In Matsue Castle Mountain Park, there are the Matsue Shrine, Matsue Gokoku Shrine, and the Shiroyama Inari Shrine that Lafcadio Hearn loved, and Matsue Castle towers over a place surrounded by the power of these shrines.
In 2012, a castle amulet and prayer tablets from the year the castle was completed were discovered at Matsue Shrine.
To the south of Matsue Shrine is a rare Meiji-era building in Shimane Prefecture called |Kounkaku|.
Because it was built to welcome Emperor Meiji at the time of its construction, it is a wonderful building with magnificent decorations and carvings. You can relax at the cafe on the first floor.
are located on the north side across the moat from the Shiroyama Inari Shrine, which is the northernmost point.
A terrifying legend of human sacrifice has been passed down. The stone wall construction for the castle was difficult, and a beautiful young girl was buried alive in the stone wall as a human sacrifice. After that, the Horio family, the lords of the castle, died out over three generations, and the family line was extinguished. The next lord, Tadataka Kyogoku, also passed away suddenly after only three years.
In the castle town of Matsue, due to the curse of the girl who became the human sacrifice, a custom of not holding the Bon Dance has continued from the Edo period to the present day. → Article on the legend of the beautiful girl's curse
During the Meiji-era Abolition of Castles Ordinance, Matsue Castle was also set to be sold and demolished, but a local wealthy farmer spent his own fortune to buy back the castle tower and protect Matsue Castle.
Furthermore, the castle tower underwent major repairs through donations from citizens, and it has been supported by the local community to this day.
On the north side across the moat from the castle is the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, where manuscripts from Lafcadio Hearn's teaching days, books, and personal belongings are on display. → Memorial Museum Official Website