Iwakuni castle

Iwakuni Castle, a mountain fortress erected in 1608 by Hiroie Kikkawa, a loyal retainer of the Mori clan, holds historical significance. Following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Lord Terumoto Mori found himself controlling just two provinces: Suo and Nagato. Establishing his stronghold in Hagi, Nagato Province, Terumoto appointed Hiroie Yoshikawa as the lord overseeing 30,000 koku in Iwakuni, prompting his relocation from Yonago Castle to Iwakuni. Hiroie wasted no time, commencing construction on a new castle upon assuming his duties, a project that spanned seven years before the completion of Iwakuni Castle.

Perched atop a 200-meter mountain peak, with the Nishiki River meandering at its foothills, the castle boasted a distinctive architecture. Its main tower, a four-story, six-story watchtower type, featured low ceilings on each floor, maintaining a total height equivalent to the fourth floor of a typical castle tower. Characterized by its innovative design, the upper floors projected larger than the lower ones, a feature termed "Karazukuri," signifying its uniqueness. Unfortunately, despite its contemporary sophistication, the castle fell victim to the "One Country, One Castle" decree issued by the shogunate in 1615, just seven years post-completion, leading to its regrettable abandonment. By 1638, the dismantling of the stone walls rendered Iwakuni Castle completely vanished from existence.