At the beginning of the Edo Period, the Shimabara domain was a low income domain (40,000 koku). Domains with similar income were having quite small castles, with 2 or 3 stories.

However, the lord of Shimabara decided to build a huge castle, with a 5 story main keep, and of course this proved to be too expensive. As a result, heavy taxation was imposed, and this combined with the persecution of Christians led to the Shimabara Rebellion, the strongest uprising that took place during the peaceful Edo Period.

Shimabara Castle, Shimabara, Nagasaki

EXIF Info:

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Yozakura