Okayama Castle

Okayama Castle, also known as "Crow Castle," stands quietly by the Asahi River, its black lacquered walls contrasting against the blue sky, resembling a night raven guarding Okayama. Originally built in 1597, its main keep was destroyed by air raids during World War II but was reconstructed in 1966. In 1996, gold-leaf tiles were added, restoring its former splendor. One of the most distinctive features of Okayama Castle is its irregular pentagonal stone base. Designed to adapt to the natural hills, the sturdy rock foundation and rugged stones create an aesthetic of a "castle on a terrain island." Many of the stone walls reflect different construction techniques from the eras of the Ukita and Ikeda clans, with the seams between the stones subtly showcasing the layered craftsmanship and styles of generations of artisans. What captivates me the most is the castle's silhouette under the spring cherry blossoms. When the soft pink blossoms meet the dark Crow Castle, the interplay of black and pink in the same frame feels like a quiet dialogue between the past and the present, prompting reflection on how "contrast can also be harmonious." Okayama Castle is not a cold historical relic but a space where nature and culture resonate gently between stone and flower.