Cool samurai @ kumamoto castle

KATO Kiyomasa is one of them

People love samurai castles. Only 12 original castle towers remain but more were reconstructed based on the original. The main castle tower of Kumamoto Castle connected with the minor tower is a concrete recreation built in 1970. In front of them lies a square where samurai members periodically gather and perform shows. In the photo is seen a tall ginkgo tree which was first planted at the beginning of the 17th century by KATO KIYOMASA, who expanded the existing fortress into a magnificent castle complex now known as Kumamoto Castle. He predicted something ominous would happen when the tree became as tall as the main castle tower. That grave event could have been the battle fought in 1877. The castle was besieged by unaffected former samurai members from Satsuma but was so well designed that it was not penetrated more than 50 days and most of the Satsuma troops moved a way from the castle to seek different tactics. Kumamoto castle has some old historical buildings which you cannot resist taking pics. But their reconstructions have been beautifully done and that's the way this castle has to offer you a lot to see.