Tsuruga Castle (Aizuwakamatsu Castle)

【The indomitable red tiles, the pride of an impregnable fortress】 The essence of the samurai spirit told by 'Tsuruga Castle'

In the center of the Aizu Basin, the white plastered keep rises as if to pierce the sky. That is 'Tsuruga Castle', renowned as an impregnable fortress. Its resilience during the month-long fierce attacks of the Boshin War in 1868 symbolizes the 'righteousness' and 'sincerity' that the people of Aizu defended. The keep, adorned with 'red tiles' that recreate its appearance from the late Edo period, bathes in the light of the changing seasons, still radiating its unchanging nobility.

■ The aesthetics of 'red tiles' watching over the ages

To withstand the deep snow of Aizu's winter, the red tiles were glazed to enhance their strength.

• Scarlet reflecting in the sky: Amidst the blue skies and snowy landscapes, the rich color of the red tiles seems to tell the story of the passion and strong bonds of the Aizu samurai. The panorama viewed from the keep is the very 'hometown' that the feudal lords and samurai once cherished and fought to protect with their lives.
• The wisdom engraved in the stone walls: Gamō Ujisato, Uesugi Kagekatsu, and the Matsudaira clan. The massive stone walls built by successive lords, from fieldstone to cut stone, serve as a 'living textbook' that conveys the evolution of Japanese castle construction techniques.

■ The 'Tea Room - Rinkaku' of prayer and tranquility

Overcoming the tragedy of the castle's fall, the beauty of silence coexists within the castle.

• The inherited culture of tea ceremony: The 'Tea Room - Rinkaku' is said to have been rebuilt by Sen no Rikyū's disciple, Shōan. In this space, which escaped the ravages of war and still stands quietly, a cup of tea served embodies the 'calm spirit' valued by the samurai, passing it on to the present day.

In spring, it floats in a sea of cherry blossoms, and in winter, it wears a cloak of silver. In this castle, where the soul of Aizu resides, why not feel the passionate breath of the former patriots and touch the courage that connects to tomorrow?