Nagoya Castle

Nagoya, Japan

Background

The Tokugawa Shogun family built Nagoya Castle between 1610 and 1615, securing an important position on the Tokaido highway to ward off attackers and thus ensuring continued social and economic prosperity. The castle has long been recognized for its cultural importance. Once a large complex of buildings, gardens, and gates, much of it was destroyed in World War II, though many of the castle’s objects, hidden away during the conflict, survived. Among these are over 1,000 paintings from the Edo period that were originally installed in the Hommarru Palace, a structure within the castle complex. In 1959 the donjon, or keep, of the castle and several other related buildings were reconstructed and now serve as a museum to showcase the history of the castle and display works of art and decorative objects associated with the site.

How We Helped

With the help of the Agency of Cultural Affairs, in 2001 the city of Nagoya began conservation work on silk paintings that had survived World War II by being evacuated from the castle. WMF, with assistance from American Express, helped conserve a number of these paintings in preparation for the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the construction of the castle. While the paintings had been designed for the sliding doors and walls of the Hommurau Palace, the restored silk paintings will be displayed at the castle in museum conditions to protect them for further deterioration. Reproductions of the silk paintings are installed in the reconstructed Hommurau Palace.

Why It Matters

Nagoya Castle has been an iconic symbol of the city for 400 years. It is an outstanding example of early modern Japanese castle architecture. Despite the destruction of many parts of the complex during World War II, many of the objects survived the war. The surviving silk paintings have been designated one of the country’s Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese government because they are extraordinary examples of the work of the Kano school of Japanese artists during the Edo period.

Last updated: February 2019.

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