Talk:Nijō Castle

Removing statement

I'm removing the following:

"The castle is an excellent example of authority and social control mainfested in architectural space. Every aspect of the construction lends itself to expressing intimidation and power to visitors."

This isn't documented. Also, the castle has gardens inside the walls, and they're not particularly intimidating. Nijo Castle is no more intimidating than any other military space. Novalis 23:56, 9 May 2005 (UTC)

While I didn't read the full article, the removed statement refers to the strict class structure of Tokugawa society, and the way visitors were received in different areas of the Ninomaru (not the gardens) based upon rank. It doesn't refer to the impression it leaves on modern-day visitors. It should be reinserted with the distinction clarified. As for the gardens, it could also be argued that the very lack of fortifications of the castle expresses the power of the shoguns. There was a keep, but it burned down.

Try 'The castle is an excellent example of social control manifested in architectural space. Low-ranking visitors were received in the outer, more gawdy regions of the Ninomaru, whereas high-ranking visitors were shown the more subtle inner chambers. Rather than attempt to conceal the entrances to the rooms for bodyguards (as was done in many castles), the Tokugawas chose to display them prominently. Thus, the construction lent itself to expressing intimidation and power to Edo-period visitors.'

Anyway, the discussion is somewhat moot; the building was finished in 1626 and no shoguns visited Kyoto between about 1630 and 1860. Then the shogunate fell a few years later. I didn't bother to read the whole article, but if any of this is helpful, so be it.... Nick, 12:02, 21 Oct 2005 (JST)

Honmaru

Is the Honmaru Palace intact? I was very much under the impression that it was not. There is certainly no tall central keep like at most other castles. LordAmeth 20:43, 1 February 2007 (UTC)