英語版のサイトに Ruins of Kokura Castle のページをアップロードしました：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
小倉城は、関ヶ原の戦いで功を挙げた細川忠興が40万石の領地を得て、1602年(慶長7年)から7年間かけて本格的な築城を行っています。幕末の1867年、第二次長州征伐では長州軍との戦いとなり、落城しています。江戸幕府終焉の、始まりの出来事だったように思います。
Ruins of Kokura Castleのページへどうぞ：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kyushu/KokuraCastle_E.html
日本語版では、下記のページで紹介しています：
http://shanehashi.html.xdomain.jp/Oshiromeguri/Kyushu/KokuraJyo.html
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My English site:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
In 1602, HOSOKAWA Tadaoki (1563-1646) became the feudal lord of Kokura Domain from Nakatsu Feudal Domain.
Kokura Castle became the palace of the feudal lord and the government offices of Kokura Domain.
In 1866, Edo Bakufu, the central government in Japan in the Edo Age, decided to conquer Choshu Domain, present Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Kokura Castle became a battleground for the Battle of Choshu Conquest in 1867. Kokura Castle fell and was set fire.
"Ote-Mon" Gate is located to the south of the Main Bailey.
Behind "Ote-Mon" Gate, you will see the main castle tower of Kokura Castle.
In the west side of the Main Bailey, "Tsukimi" Turret is located.
In the east side of the Main Bailey, the Main Castle Tower is located.
The Main Castle Tower and other castle buildings were destroyed by fire in 1837.
Many of castle buildings were rebuilt by 1839, but the Main Castle Tower was not rebuilt in the Edo Age.
The Main Castle Tower was rebuilt in 1959, after World-War II.
On the fifth floor of the Main Castle Tower, observation decks are located.
The views from the observation decks are wonderful.
The paintings of a tiger were displayed in the Main Castle Tower.
After visiting the Main Castle Tower, I visited Kokura Castle Garden.
On the way from the Main Bailey to Kokura Castle Garden, you will see the Main Castle Tower from the east side.
The view of the Main Castle Tower is very powerful and gorgeous.
In Kokura Castle Garden, "Shoin", Study Hall, was also rebuilt.
The below picture shows the main reception rooms.
"Shoin" faces to a Japanese stroll garden with a pond in the center.
You can walk around a pond in the garden, as castle lords enjoyed the good atmosphere of the garden.
Please visit the homepage article for more detail.
Ruins of Kokura Castle
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kyushu/KokuraCastle_E.html
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