Stone Memorials

The Buddhist stupas gathered near the base of Himeji Castle were recovered from castle walls during the Showa-era restoration of 1956 to 1964. They are likely from the cemetery of Shomyoji Temple, which occupied this hill before Himeji Castle was built in the 12th century. Stone lanterns in front of the stupas were transferred from Tokyo in 1990, from the Sakai family cemetery plot. They commemorate Sakai Tadakuni, Himeji's last daimyo, who took control as a teenager and died at 25 after studying in the United States. The stone retaining wall above this area is among the oldest surviving walls at the castle, dating from around 1580.