Castles of the samurai - Jennifer Mitchelhill

This study of the castles of Japan examines: who built these castles and why, with a look at Japanese history and the internecine fighting between samurai clans; the castle as a fortress; and the beauty of the castle as a symbol. It also contains practical information on visiting castles. The castles of Japan are a product of the country's long history of civil war and samurai rule from the Middle Ages to mid-19th century. They functioned both as military fortresses as well as symbols of authority. They incorporated powerful mechanisms for warding off attackers, yet