Fortifications of one kind or another had been used in Japan since ancient times, but in the period from 1576 until 1639, a new and distinctive style of castle was constructed. Rather than being used for fighting, these were impressive structures intended to enhance the power and prestige of the person that built them. The most famous surviving example of this style of architecture is Himeji Ca... https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2112/japanese-castles/?utm_source=Mastodon&utm_medium=Zapier&utm_campaign=whencyclopedia #history #SengokuPeriod #MuromachiPeriod #HimejiCastle