I return with a new photo from the Matsuyama castle, with its last line of defenses. In the tower and turret walls lining a narrow corridor, there were narrow windows called Ishi-otoshi, designed to allow defenders to throw stones and boiling oil over the attackers, a Japanese version of the European machicolation.

Of course, after the attackers have already conquered the external walls, there were slim chances to defeat them here. But the system was designed to slow them down, at least to allow the lord of the castle to die with dignity…

Matsuyama Castle, Matsuyama, Ehime

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Mount Koya Hasu-ike lotus pond, and its old legend