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Located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Matsumoto has a population of 239,000 people. A gateway to the Japanese Alps it does have attractions in its own right. I came, like most foreign tourists, to visit Matsumoto Castle. Originally built in the late 16th century it is the oldest castle in Japan that has never been rebuilt. Another attractions I visited, all in the same area of the city, near the Metoba River were the Timepiece Museum and the Yohashira-jinja Shrine. |
The Matsumoto Timepiece Museum is located near the Metoba River. The musuem building is easily recognisable because of its external five-meter pendulum clock.
The museum started in 1974 when engineer and enthusiastic clock collector, Chikazo Honda, donated his personal collection of 120 clocks.
Honda was intially going to donate his clocks to the city of Suwa where he resided. However the city lacked watchmakers who knew how to repair antique clocks. Matsumoto had these skills hence the collection was moved to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art before Honda's death in 1985.
As other people also donated clocks the city decided to build a dedicated museum which opened September 1st, 2002.
Today, the museum has over a 1000 items which are housed on three floors, the first two are dedicated to permanent exhibits. Temporary exhibitions are displayed on the third floor.
At any given time, 120 to 800 items can be on display. Japanese and European time pieces are displayed. The earliest are from the 1400s. It is museum policy to display items in working order whenever possible.
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Rolling Ball ClockThe rolling ball clock was built by Honda after he studied the blue prints. A small brass ball moves side to side in a zig-zag groove. When the ball reaches the end it hits a lever, which causes the inclination of the plate to change, rolling the ball back in the opposite direction and advancing the second hand by 15 seconds. |
Yohashira-jinja Shrine Shinto shrine lies between Matsumoto Castle and the Time Piece Museum.
Though an important Shinto shrine, my visit was opportunistic.
The shrine was built during the Meiji Perod (1868-1912) and was complete before the Emperor's visit in 1879. Yohashira literally means "Shrine of the Four Pillars". The pillars referred to are deities, Amenominakanushi, Takamimusubi, Kamimusubi, and Amaterasu. These deities are central in Japanese mythology, particularly creation mythology.
It is unusual for a shrine to be dedicated to four deities, most are dedicated to one. Because each deity processes divine virtues the shrine became to be known as the "Wish-Granting Shrine".
The original shrine was destroyed in a devastating fire in 1888 which destroyed most of Matsumoto. It was rebuilt in 1924.
Construction of Matsumoto Castle was commenced in 1592 by Lord Yorishige. Originally called Fukashi Castle, it is the oldest five-tierd, six-storied castle in Japan. Inside is a hidden floor giving total of six floors.
Sometimes called the Crow Castle because of its black exterior, the colour choice was not entirely aesthetic. Black coating protects the wood and makes the castle more difficult to see at night.
In 1635, when military threats had subsided a third turrant was added. A fourth, for moon viewing was also added. It is easily identified by its red outer railing.
In the Meiji era (1868-1912) it was government policy to tear down many of the samurai era castles. Matsumoto castle would have suffered the same fate if it were not for a fund-raising drive by local citizens to buy it themselves. Later when the main tower fell into disrepair another fund-raising drive raised money to repair it.
It is, along with Himeji and the earthquake damaged Kumamoto Castle, a premier castle.
The wooden interior is a maze of step stairwells, tight corridors, trap doors and hidden passages to confuse any invading enemy. The windows on the main keep are narrow for defending archers.
Inside the castle is a great collection of weaponry. Somewhat ironical for a castle that never saw battle.
