Southwest Turret cover photo - 49238192

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Cover photo description:
The southwest turret is also called the Hitsuji-saru (sheep-monkey) turret, because these two animals denoted the southwest compass direction in the Chinese zodiac. It is three stories tall with a two-level roof. On the west and south sides, trap doors project below the lower-level roof, which were designed for dropping stones on attackers to defend the castle. The symbol of the chrysanthemum, the Imperial Seal of Japan, can be seen on the ridge-end tiles. This tower and the stone wall were destroyed during the great Nobi Earthquake in 1891 and rebuilt in 1923 under orders of the Imperial Household Ministry. It is designated an Important Cultural Asset.

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