Kanazawa Castle

Castles in Japan are both quite different and very similar to those I am used to back home (in England). So for example, they have moats, big thick stone walls and slits through which to fire at anyone who is attacking the castle, just as I imagine castles must have almost anywhere in the world. However, the Japanese fortifications also include rather ornate upper storeys with fancy pitched roofs, all constructed in wood. These roofs were very satisfying to draw, and also rather useful in the rain that was falling the day we visited this castle, but I would have thought maybe a fire hazard during any battle. Perhaps the key to these differences is that English castles don’t need to be earthquake proof, whereas in Japan this is rather essential …