Haibara Samurai Residence

 

The former Haibara Samurai Residence is located in Takahashi, the castle town in the mountains of central Okayama, on the Takahashi River.

It is on a road of former samurai residences at the north of the town, near the base of the mountain on top of which sits Bitchi Matsuyama Castle, known as the highest castle in Japan.

At 430 meters above sea level, it is one of the few castles remaining in Japan with an original tenshu, or keep, and the only mountaintop castle with an original keep.

The former Haibara Residence was built about 170 years ago at the end of the Edo Period.

Unusual for a samurai residence, it was built in what is known as sukiya-style, normally associated with temples and teahouses.

Numerous artifacts including furniture and some armour are on display.

The gardens have also been kept in their original form.

There is a joint entry ticket to this house and the slightly more impressive Orii House next door which I will post about next.

Takahashi is a little off the main tourist routes, but is well worth a visit. While it is not a Preservation District, it has plenty of traditional architecture as well as the amazing castle, some lovely temples, and just outside town a great modern art museum.

On this visit, my second to Takahashi, I was on day 6 of my walk along the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

The previous post was on nearby Raikyuji Temple which was used as a home by the daimyo and has an amazing garden by Kobori Enshu.

Kobori Enshu Garden at Raikyuji Temple

 

Kobori Enshu ( 1579 - 1647 ) was an aristocrat most well known for being a Tea Master.

He was also a painter, poet, and probably the most influential garden designer of the early Edo Period.

His garden at Raikyuji Temple is considered one of his earliest garden designs.

Raikyuji is a Rinzai Zen Temple  located in the castle town of Takahashi in Okayama.

The castle, Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, is one of the 12 castles in Japan still with an original tenshu, or keep, and  is also the highest castle in Japan.

Raikyuji Temple's founding date is unknown but it was rebuilt here in 1339 as Ankokuji Temple.

In the early 16th century the temple was developed by the lord of the castle, Ueno Yorihisa. His grave is at the temple.

The temple was destroyed in a battle in 1575 but was rebuilt by the victors.

Following the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu installed Kobori Masatsugu to rule the area.

The castle was still in a state of disrepair after the battle of 1575 so Kobori lived in and administered the area out of Raikyuji Temple.

Following his death in 1604 control passed to his son Kobori Masakazu who would later become known by the name Enshu.

He lived at the temple for 15 years and is believed to have designed the garden during that time.

The garden can be viewed from both the Shoin and building next door.

On the north side of the shoin is a small pond garden to the rear of the main hall.

The garden features heavily-pruned azalea bushes.

Obviously, when they are in bloom in May then the garden takes on quite a different appearance.

the focal point of the garden is a Crane Island with its upright central stone.

Behind it is a Turtle Island, though it is somewhat hidden.

The garden incorporates the "borrowed scenery" of Mount Atago behind it.

A stone lantern dating to 1339 is a focal point of the garden between the two buildings.

In 1974 the garden was registered as National Scenic Beauty Spot.

On this trip I visited Takahashi on Day 6 of my walk along the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage. The previous post was on the photogenic Kiyama Temple.

More round windows

Photos of round windows have always been popular when I have posted them before, so here are some recent ones from my collection. 3 earlier posts can be found here

This first one is from a tea room at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine.

This one is from a temple in Takahashi, Okayama Prefecture.

From a restaurant on the approach to Hofukuji Temple in Soja, Okayama Prefecture.

A shop in Hirado Town on Hirado Island in Nagasaki Prefecture.

An abandoned building in Oda City, Iwami.

The view from the highest castle in Japan

Getting up to Bitchu Matsuyama castle, Japan's highest, is not very easy. There is no public transport up the steep road, though you can drive or take a taxi three quarters of the way up, there is still a steep climb to the top. From the bottom allow a good hour to walk up.

The view down to Takahashi, about 1,000 feet below is worth the climb though.
Takahashi and its castle doesn't get a lot of visitors as its not on the Shinkansen, but its worth a visit.

As well as the castle there are a lot of Edo-period buildings in one section of town and a wonderful zen garden. Nearby is a wonderful Tadao Ando building housing a large art museum. There's lots of signs in English.

The rest of Takahashi is a a fairly typical "cookie cutter" Japanese town.

Its located on the JR Hakubi line which connect Okayama City with Yonago, Matsue and Izumo.

The highest castle in Japan

At 430 meters above sea level, situated atop Mount Gagyu in Okayama, is Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, the highest castle in Japan. It overlooks Takahashi, and is also known as Takahashi Castle.

A castle was built here in 1331, but this later castle was built in 1683. It is one of the handful of original castles left in japan, and is the only Yamajiro (mountaintop castle) with a Tenshu (Keep)

After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the castle was abandoned and partially destroyed, but beginning in 1929 sections of the castle and its impressive fortifications have been repaired and restored.

The castle is open daily and there is a 300 yen entrance fee. Unless you are a castle freak, the most impressive thing is the views from the castle, and some of those I will post tomorrow.

The view is worth the climb. More posts on Japanese castles.