Thank you very much for your introduction of the history and the tour guide inside the castle. I just visited the castle today to see the cherry blossom. The castle is magnificent!
I am so happy that the Himeji Castle survived the bombing of WWII. At the end of the exposition, they have this photo (3:57) of the Castle atop the destroyed town. I have visited it in June.
Very good explanation. It's the most interesting Japanese castle I visited. I enjoyed walking on the long corridor and learning about the history. I was in the castle a week ago but didn't have time to visit the garden. Would love to go back during cherry blossom season
@@lastsamuraikyoto yes sir i am on it.... Thanks for sharing the rich history of Japan... I really wants to visit japan once in my lifetime 😊 i became fan of Japanese culture and heritage. My deep respect to japanese people... Love from India
I love this castle. The only time I went to Japan, I traveled by shinkansen… to Kyoto I think. From the window, I suddenly saw a huge white castle in the distance… I had seen the Himeji Castle many times in photos and recognized it. I didn't even know we were going to pass it! It was a nice moment. One day, I hope to visit it. Thank you, last samurai!
It's my dream to visit Himeji Castle! So glad I found your channel, very informative and helpful. I'm going to watch all your videos, you have a new subscriber 😃
@@lastsamuraikyoto the spirit of the people remains , and will continue. Many people here in Scotland say it's gods own land , and maybe , but Japan is the land of the gods 🙏
I've watched a few of your clips about many castles. Watching, I keep wondering if you, by chance, know some info about the ghost stories during samurai time period? Long long time ago, like more than 25 years ago while I was in Thailand. I came across a book about the compilations of ghosts story during the samurai period. In that book(translated into Thai) had a story of the ghost girl in Himeji Castle, about samurai adventure encounter a group of long necked ghosts, about samurai advanture encounter a group of ghost head in the temple, and then there was also a story about the ghost of entire Taira clans in the temple near the battlefield. This last story about Taira ghosts was so intriguing that I start to have interest in Japanese history, particular Genpei War period. From this book lead me to see many part of Japanese history(I'm not an expert, just reading about history to satisfy my curiosity). Then recently to talked to someone I met, we talk about the ghost story in Japan. During conversation, I bring up the story that I've read long time ago. My friend is very interested in that book, but it was a translation work. I don't think the title of that book is accurate because I can't find it again, search online also no result. I don't even know if Japan had such book, it may be the Thai book company just compile a bunch of Japanese Samurai ghost stories and combine into one book. Anyway, breif intro about Taira ghost in the temple. There was an old blind man. He is a traditional Japanese story teller. The way he tell story is he sang a song depicting the scene in the story. I had no idea, never seen one, this is how the book describe the person. Anyway, one day this man happen to stop by the old temple which located near the seashore where the final battle of Taira clan occur. The old man doing his thing sang a song about this battle. The story was so touching that all ghost of Taira clan came to listen to his story. Then those ghosts also reward this man hansomely after the story. Asking the old man to come to their place and continue the story. Old man agree so he went to see the monk on the temple telling the monk about what he had experienced and looking forward to the next meeting with those ghost(he had no idea that they were ghosts, he was blinded). The monk sense something wrong and talk to the old man, telling him that he may encounter ghosts. Old man got scared, monk help him by writing some kind of charms on his body, this charm was designed so that ghost can't find this man. When time to visit come, samurai ghost come to collect this old man but can't find. They look all around and still can't find the old man, but for some reason while the monk writing the charm, he missed some part, he did not put charms on the old man ears. So the ghost only see pair of ears but no people. Frustrated, ghost tore old man's ears off and use this as evidence to report to their lords(not finding the man, only see ears). After that, I don't remember. So I'm wondering if you ever heard about the story that I'm talking about? Or you came accross the book that I'm talk about? If so, it would be nice if you can tell me the name of the book or some related info concerning this issues. It had been in my mind for sometime, but I just can't recall, and can't find the book ever again.
Thank you for watching Deep Japan. 1. Probably you read a book called "Kwaidan" written by Lafcadio Hearn. This is the famous book about ghost in foreign country. 2. The ghost in Himeji castle is Okiku. if you go to Himeji castle, there is a water well known as Okiku ido. She was falsely acused for breaking a treasure and commit suicide in this well. There were ten important dishes of the lord. And one was broken by somebody. And Okiku, the ghost count the dishes " one dish, two dish, three dish....." every night if you go to the well at deep at night. 3. The singing story teller is called Biwahoshi. Biwa means Japanese guitar. They sang the story of Heike clan playing Biwa.
@@lastsamuraikyoto Thank you for your reply. I will look into that book. About the ghost girl at Himeji Castle, I think her story was more popular than the Entire Taira Clan ghosts. I came across so many version of this story. Similar but details a bit different on each version. For the ghost of Taira clans, after I read it, I never heard of it ever. It was not as famous as the girl in Himeji I guess. But this entire Taira clan ghosts is the one that got me very intrigued. I try to understand the mindset of those Taira samurai. Why would they choose to commit suicide while they are still capable in inflict damage and death to their enemy? My mindset is if death is imminent, and if I'm not afraid of death(as those samurai obviously choose death), then I would try with all my might to inflict as much damage and death to the enemy as posible till my last breath. That is why I do not understand their thinking, afraid of being capture? Believe me when you still keep on inflict damage and death to the enemy, they won't capture you alive. They will mad as hell for their losts, so with great anger, they would most likely kill you. No prisoners accepted. That would be a way to go. Anyway because of this intrigue, I start to look into the Japanese history. When looking, I did not see Genpei War right away. Instead I came across Sengafugidai(spelling wrong for sure) instead. Then I got new intrigue about Oda. From then on I read more and more about this period understand pretty much of who is who during this period. Famous battles, famous tragic sites. Downfall of Takeda, death of Oda, rise of Toyotomi,and the rise of Togukawa that take all and become the final winner at the end. I did came across reading about Genpai war(spell wrong most likely). But details don't remember much. I just sumarize that Taira clan leader kinda over the top thinking all the plots he implement were fool proof and he will win. The problem his plot using his relative as an Emperor, if this success, then all his enemy will not be able to continue exist in Japan. In otherwords, he is forcing his enemy hands. If they do nothing, they will be waiting for their own clans destructions. Only way out is war, winner takes all, big gamble but they have to do it, no other choice. War also did not go well for the Taira. As time move on, the momentum switch in favor of Minamoto clan. They keep gaining until they force the Taira to the dead end and final battle at sea which result in the destruction of the clan. Anyway that is my summary, may be not correct. By the way, have you heard about the entire Taira clan ghosts story that I told you? For some reason, I got the feeling that ony I in this world read this story. I never heard anyone mention it after I read it, never heard of it ever again. Try to search for the book did not find either. This thing was in my mine for a long time.
The reason why they commited suicide is committing Seppuku is the honorable way to die for Samurai. If they were high ranked samurai they prefer Seppuku to being killed in a battle. If a high ranked samurai was killed in the battle field, the enemy cut his neck and brought it to feudal lord. Your understanding about Heike is right. If I compare Heike to Genji. Heike is more sophisticated and aristocratic. They made up when they went to a battlefield. They had close relationship with the royal family. So they had a royal culture of Kyoto. But Genji was from east like Kamakura, the rural area. That’s the difference I suppose. The most famous ghost story about Heike is “Miminashi Hoichi”. Hoichi was a blind story teller and he played Biwa, Japanese guitar. He wrote sutra on his body not to be haunted by a ghost. But he forgot to write sutra on his ears. So he lost his ears.
This video is outstanding. Too bad no one say a word about bombing in comments... Himeji castle is a real symbol to die for. I fully understand Japanese people. Peace.
I am so sorry about it. But this is the wooden war castle built more than 400 years ago. Many castles were bombed during WW2 and there are only 7 original castles are left. There are many castles in Japan but most of them are concrete castle with a elevator built after the war. As it is old wooden structure, the modern elevator does not fit or gives the damage to the castle structure. Please understand that we need to protect this precious perfectly original castle survived the war. During the war, people in Himeji covered this castle with huge black net to hide it from the bombers. This beautiful castle is the treasure for the people in Himeji. If you think it is not fair, I think we should close the castle for everyone.
![47 Ronin of Ako festival, The story of Bushido [Deep Japan] 赤穂義士祭](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_se2mcAkmTg/mqdefault.jpg)
I’m in Japan and went into the Castle last week. Such a beautiful place.
Thank you for watching Deep Japan. There are play lists by the areas in Deep Japan. If you have time, please check.
I had the pleasure of visiting Himeji Castle twice-once in 2019 and again in 2022. Such a beautiful and captivating place!
It is the most beautiful castle, I agree. Thank you for watching Deep Japan.
Wonderful,thank you very much. It's a beautiful castle and a very nice town.
Yes. This is the most beautiful castle, I think.
I love it
I’m glad you love it. Thank you.
So informative❤❤❤
Thank you for watching Deep Japan. I have many episodes about castles. If you have time, please check.
Great narration with detail contents before my trip to Himeji tomorrow👍👍👍
Will enjoy more😀
Thank you!!!
I hope you had a great time at the castle. Thank you for watching.
Thank you very much for your introduction of the history and the tour guide inside the castle. I just visited the castle today to see the cherry blossom. The castle is magnificent!
It must be beautiful with cherry blossoms. This castle is the most graceful, I think.
I am so happy that the Himeji Castle survived the bombing of WWII. At the end of the exposition, they have this photo (3:57) of the Castle atop the destroyed town. I have visited it in June.
It was a miracle actually. Thank you for watching Deep Japan channel.
WOW!! What a wonderful video. Fantastic narrative and music. I would love to give you an Oscar award.!!
This is my first Oscar. Thank you and Buddha bless you.
Fantastic video, just bught the LEGO Set from this, really cool to hear the history :)
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.
Good information
I’m glad that I can help you.
Very good explanation. It's the most interesting Japanese castle I visited. I enjoyed walking on the long corridor and learning about the history. I was in the castle a week ago but didn't have time to visit the garden. Would love to go back during cherry blossom season
Thank you for watching Deep Japan channel. Please enjoy the cherry blossoms and the beautiful castle in spring.
Awesome video! I could really feel the spirit of this magical place! I`m coming to invade the castle!
I hope you can visit the castle soon. And don’t forget to wear the armor.
Wonderful film. Thank you for sharing such a splendid fortress.
Thank you for watching Deep Japan. Buddha bless you.
Thank you for this great information. Well done. Great job. Arigatougozaimasu🙏
Thank you for your great comment. I release a new episode every Saturday, If you have time, please check.
Beautiful 😻 woow
I’m glad you like it.
Very interesting video❤ thanks for the information and your effort 😍
Great video quality as well!
Going to visit the castle tomorrow
I hope you had a great time at the castle. Thank you for watching Deep Japan.
Wow I really loved this castle 🏯 i want to know more about japanese history... Love from India
Thank you for watching. If you have time, please check other episodes about Japanese history.
@@lastsamuraikyoto yes sir i am on it.... Thanks for sharing the rich history of Japan... I really wants to visit japan once in my lifetime 😊 i became fan of Japanese culture and heritage. My deep respect to japanese people... Love from India
Amazing video and heartwarming narration!! Subscribed! This was like watching a beautiful movie!🎉❤
Thank you for your great comment. I have more episodes about castles. If you have time, please check.
Thank you so much Last Samurai. Your video is very interesting and informative.
Thank you for your wonderful comment. If you have time, please check other episodes.
@@lastsamuraikyoto Sure I will. 頑張ってください。
This is great. A pleasant amount of content in a reasonable time. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your comment. If you have time, please check the other episodes.
Great video!
Thank you for the great comment.
Extraordinary video, we are so lucky to be able to watch such beautiful images from this peaceful perspective. Thank you so much.
Thank you for your great comment. It gave me the motivation to continue.
Greatful. ..
Thank you for the "right on time" information. .!
Beautiful and precious. .
I "remember"...
I am glad you like it. If you have time, please check other episodes.
I sure will!😊
I love this castle. The only time I went to Japan, I traveled by shinkansen… to Kyoto I think. From the window, I suddenly saw a huge white castle in the distance… I had seen the Himeji Castle many times in photos and recognized it. I didn't even know we were going to pass it! It was a nice moment. One day, I hope to visit it.
Thank you, last samurai!
Thank you for your wonderful comment. I hope you can invade the castle someday.
This is really helpful ! Thank you so much !
Thank you for watching. If you have time, please check other episodes.
thank you, a great video.
Thank you for watching. If you have time, please check other episodes.
It's my dream to visit Himeji Castle! So glad I found your channel, very informative and helpful. I'm going to watch all your videos, you have a new subscriber 😃
Thank you for subscribing. I hope you can visit Himeji castle soon.
They built with such beauty, natural tranquillity and defense, makes one wish perry never landed in Japan
Many things have been lost actually but we still have some great heritage for you.
@@lastsamuraikyoto the spirit of the people remains , and will continue. Many people here in Scotland say it's gods own land , and maybe , but Japan is the land of the gods 🙏
I've watched a few of your clips about many castles. Watching, I keep wondering if you, by chance, know some info about the ghost stories during samurai time period?
Long long time ago, like more than 25 years ago while I was in Thailand. I came across a book about the compilations of ghosts story during the samurai period. In that book(translated into Thai) had a story of the ghost girl in Himeji Castle, about samurai adventure encounter a group of long necked ghosts, about samurai advanture encounter a group of ghost head in the temple, and then there was also a story about the ghost of entire Taira clans in the temple near the battlefield. This last story about Taira ghosts was so intriguing that I start to have interest in Japanese history, particular Genpei War period. From this book lead me to see many part of Japanese history(I'm not an expert, just reading about history to satisfy my curiosity). Then recently to talked to someone I met, we talk about the ghost story in Japan. During conversation, I bring up the story that I've read long time ago. My friend is very interested in that book, but it was a translation work. I don't think the title of that book is accurate because I can't find it again, search online also no result. I don't even know if Japan had such book, it may be the Thai book company just compile a bunch of Japanese Samurai ghost stories and combine into one book.
Anyway, breif intro about Taira ghost in the temple. There was an old blind man. He is a traditional Japanese story teller. The way he tell story is he sang a song depicting the scene in the story. I had no idea, never seen one, this is how the book describe the person. Anyway, one day this man happen to stop by the old temple which located near the seashore where the final battle of Taira clan occur. The old man doing his thing sang a song about this battle. The story was so touching that all ghost of Taira clan came to listen to his story. Then those ghosts also reward this man hansomely after the story. Asking the old man to come to their place and continue the story. Old man agree so he went to see the monk on the temple telling the monk about what he had experienced and looking forward to the next meeting with those ghost(he had no idea that they were ghosts, he was blinded). The monk sense something wrong and talk to the old man, telling him that he may encounter ghosts. Old man got scared, monk help him by writing some kind of charms on his body, this charm was designed so that ghost can't find this man. When time to visit come, samurai ghost come to collect this old man but can't find. They look all around and still can't find the old man, but for some reason while the monk writing the charm, he missed some part, he did not put charms on the old man ears. So the ghost only see pair of ears but no people. Frustrated, ghost tore old man's ears off and use this as evidence to report to their lords(not finding the man, only see ears). After that, I don't remember.
So I'm wondering if you ever heard about the story that I'm talking about? Or you came accross the book that I'm talk about? If so, it would be nice if you can tell me the name of the book or some related info concerning this issues. It had been in my mind for sometime, but I just can't recall, and can't find the book ever again.
Thank you for watching Deep Japan.
1. Probably you read a book called "Kwaidan" written by Lafcadio Hearn. This is the famous book about ghost in foreign country.
2. The ghost in Himeji castle is Okiku. if you go to Himeji castle, there is a water well known as Okiku ido. She was falsely acused for breaking a treasure and commit suicide in this well. There were ten important dishes of the lord. And one was broken by somebody. And Okiku, the ghost count the dishes " one dish, two dish, three dish....." every night if you go to the well at deep at night.
3. The singing story teller is called Biwahoshi. Biwa means Japanese guitar. They sang the story of Heike clan playing Biwa.
@@lastsamuraikyoto Thank you for your reply. I will look into that book. About the ghost girl at Himeji Castle, I think her story was more popular than the Entire Taira Clan ghosts. I came across so many version of this story. Similar but details a bit different on each version. For the ghost of Taira clans, after I read it, I never heard of it ever. It was not as famous as the girl in Himeji I guess. But this entire Taira clan ghosts is the one that got me very intrigued. I try to understand the mindset of those Taira samurai. Why would they choose to commit suicide while they are still capable in inflict damage and death to their enemy? My mindset is if death is imminent, and if I'm not afraid of death(as those samurai obviously choose death), then I would try with all my might to inflict as much damage and death to the enemy as posible till my last breath. That is why I do not understand their thinking, afraid of being capture? Believe me when you still keep on inflict damage and death to the enemy, they won't capture you alive. They will mad as hell for their losts, so with great anger, they would most likely kill you. No prisoners accepted. That would be a way to go. Anyway because of this intrigue, I start to look into the Japanese history. When looking, I did not see Genpei War right away. Instead I came across Sengafugidai(spelling wrong for sure) instead. Then I got new intrigue about Oda. From then on I read more and more about this period understand pretty much of who is who during this period. Famous battles, famous tragic sites. Downfall of Takeda, death of Oda, rise of Toyotomi,and the rise of Togukawa that take all and become the final winner at the end. I did came across reading about Genpai war(spell wrong most likely). But details don't remember much. I just sumarize that Taira clan leader kinda over the top thinking all the plots he implement were fool proof and he will win. The problem his plot using his relative as an Emperor, if this success, then all his enemy will not be able to continue exist in Japan. In otherwords, he is forcing his enemy hands. If they do nothing, they will be waiting for their own clans destructions. Only way out is war, winner takes all, big gamble but they have to do it, no other choice. War also did not go well for the Taira. As time move on, the momentum switch in favor of Minamoto clan. They keep gaining until they force the Taira to the dead end and final battle at sea which result in the destruction of the clan. Anyway that is my summary, may be not correct.
By the way, have you heard about the entire Taira clan ghosts story that I told you? For some reason, I got the feeling that ony I in this world read this story. I never heard anyone mention it after I read it, never heard of it ever again. Try to search for the book did not find either. This thing was in my mine for a long time.
The reason why they commited suicide is committing Seppuku is the honorable way to die for Samurai. If they were high ranked samurai they prefer Seppuku to being killed in a battle. If a high ranked samurai was killed in the battle field, the enemy cut his neck and brought it to feudal lord.
Your understanding about Heike is right. If I compare Heike to Genji. Heike is more sophisticated and aristocratic. They made up when they went to a battlefield. They had close relationship with the royal family. So they had a royal culture of Kyoto. But Genji was from east like Kamakura, the rural area. That’s the difference I suppose.
The most famous ghost story about Heike is “Miminashi Hoichi”. Hoichi was a blind story teller and he played Biwa, Japanese guitar. He wrote sutra on his body not to be haunted by a ghost. But he forgot to write sutra on his ears. So he lost his ears.
I love how you put lots of efforts in making these videos 💕💕💕 本当にありがとうございます m(_ _)m
Please continue on your project 💪🏼🙏🏼
Thank you for your wonderful comment. See you next week.
This video is outstanding. Too bad no one say a word about bombing in comments... Himeji castle is a real symbol to die for. I fully understand Japanese people. Peace.
Thank you for your wonderful comment. Japan lost a lot of precious treasures including spiritual things during the WW2.
@@lastsamuraikyoto The most precious treasures are people... Then come other things. I understand...
in europe, they’d pour oil down the wall.
Good idea. Thank you for watching Deep Japan channel.
see you after Covid
I hope so
people with moving disabilities ca not visit this place!
I am so sorry about it. But this is the wooden war castle built more than 400 years ago. Many castles were bombed during WW2 and there are only 7 original castles are left. There are many castles in Japan but most of them are concrete castle with a elevator built after the war. As it is old wooden structure, the modern elevator does not fit or gives the damage to the castle structure. Please understand that we need to protect this precious perfectly original castle survived the war. During the war, people in Himeji covered this castle with huge black net to hide it from the bombers. This beautiful castle is the treasure for the people in Himeji. If you think it is not fair, I think we should close the castle for everyone.