第三十三景
The Full-Scale Twin Guardians at Shiromidai Park
A Dream of the Sky / At Shiromidai Park
You cannot see the massive shachihoko at the very top of the Main Keep up close. However, these full-scale replicas at Shiromidai Park allow you to truly experience their overwhelming size and scale.
The Story
The most magnificent pair of shachihoko (mythical carp-tiger ornaments) adorns the very highest roof of Himeji Castle's Main Keep. While you can look up at them from below, it's physically impossible to see them right in front of your eyes. (The shachihoko I photographed looking south from the Main Keep's window in View No. 28 was actually on a lower roof tier, not the very top one.)
So, I decided to photograph these full-scale replicas of the highest shachihoko. They are incredibly massive, measuring 190 cm in height and weighing 250 kg! It's amazing to realize that ornaments taller than an average human are sitting way up on that roof.
I have a secret dream of someday photographing Himeji Castle with a drone. If I ever get the chance, I would absolutely want to center my shot around those topmost, magnificent shachihoko, capturing the keep from the sky.
Photo Tips
- LocationShiromidai Park (A park located southeast of Himeji Castle)
- Scale of the ShachihokoThese restored replicas stand 190 cm tall and weigh 250 kg, the exact same dimensions as the real ones on the roof.
- Photo TipsThe classic composition here is to frame the distant Main Keep perfectly between the two giant shachihoko.
