TUMASYO ARROUND THE WORLD

Archive for May, 2011

Taj Mahal is a monument located in Agra, India. Built on the desire of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Jahangir’s son, as a mausoleum for the wife of Persian, Arjumand Banu Begum, also known as Mumtaz-ul-Zamani or Mumtaz Mahal. Its construction took 23 years (1630-1653) and is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.

In a city named Agra is located in the northern region of Uttar Pradesh, stands a beautiful building. At first glance this building like a mosque. But, in fact this is a tomb. His name, the Taj Mahal. For centuries, this building became inspired many people because of its beauty. Arguably, the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful architectural creations in the world.

Many people are coming in droves building situated on the banks of the Yamuna River to admire. They were amazed by the beauty of its form. They were also impressed with the touching story behind the founding of the Taj Mahal.

Did you know? Taj Mahal is a sign of the love of a prince to his beloved wife. Duh, not romantic anyway? The story, Taj Mahal was built to commemorate Arjumand Bano Begum, wife of prince. Arjumand married the third son of King Jahangir, Prince Khurram, when aged 21 years. Spanjang marriage, his loyal wife accompany her husband in their lavish palace in Agra and in tents during the war.

In 1628 Khurram became king after the bloodshed. Its name was changed to a mean king Shahjahan world. To his wife, Shahjahan gave the highest predicate. His wife became Mumtaz Mahal. Unfortunately, Mumtaz Mahal was not destined long to be queen.

Shahjahan Around 1631 an expedition to the south and, as usual. Mumtaz Mahal accompanied him. However, she died while giving birth to a child-14 Shahjahan. When Mumtaz Mahal died, he was only 39 years.

To commemorate the departure of his wife, Shahjahan decided to set up a beautiful tomb made of genuine marble. The building is founded on the edge of a river that is not covered by other buildings. Building the world will continue to be remembered.

To build a large tomb (or more commonly referred to mausoleum of) this, it took 17 years and mobilize 20 thousand workers. Those who work are experts such as architects, sculptors, calligraphers, and masons from all over India, Persia, and Turkey. Taj Mahal building whose height reaches 60 meters is gold plated, silver and even diamonds. Once completed, this place also became the king’s final resting. This is the beautiful Taj Mahal and ‘expensive’.

Machu Picchu (“Old Mountain” in Quechua language, often also called “the lost Inca City”) is a site of pre-Columbian Inca ruins located in the mountainous region at an altitude of about 2350 m. Machu Picchu is located above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, about 70 km northwest of Cusco.

Machu Picchu is a symbol of the most famous Incan Empire. Built in circa 1450, but abandoned a hundred years later, when the Spaniards conquered Inca Empire.

This site was forgotten by the international community, but not by the local community. This site re-discovered by archaeologists from the university Yale Hiram Bingham III rediscovered the tahun1911. Peru then do the legal efforts to retrieve artifacts taken by Bingham from the site. Since then, Machu Picchu became a tourist attraction that attracts local and foreign tourists.

Machu Picchu was built by the ancient Incan style with walls of polished stone. The main building is Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and Three Window Room. These places are referred to as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu.

The site has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, Machu Picchu is also one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, is also receiving attention due to damage caused by tourism (the number of visitors reached 400,000 in 2003).

In September 2007, Peru’s efforts to do legally with the achievement of an agreement with UniversitasYale to retrieve artifacts have been brought by Bingham from the site in the early 20th century.

Himeji Castle (Japanese, Himeji-jo) is a castle located in Himeji city, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. According to the provincial division of the old days, this palace is located in Harima-no-kuni, Shikito-cho, Himeji. Enchanting beauty of the white stucco walls of the palace dominates the Himeji Castle has made another name for “white egret bird palace” (Japanese, Shirasagi-jo). Himeji Castle is one example of architectural heritage palace from the beginning of the 17th century’s most important.

Himeji Castle was always a fire escape from the danger of war and survived the fall of the palace in the hands of the enemy, so the main tower and other buildings of the palace is still much left. The Japanese government set eight buildings, including the main towers, turrets, and Watari-Yagura is in the palace complex as a state heritage. In addition, the manifold building with a total of 74 buildings inside the palace complex (27 buildings Yagura / Watari-Yagura, building 15 gates, 32 building wall) designated as important cultural heritage.

Himeji Castle is rated as the world’s cultural heritage is very precious, so that in 1993 UNESCO put Himeji Castle to the list of World Heritage Sites in the category of cultural heritage.

From a distance looks beautiful with the castle walls are white, Himeji Castle is often used as background locations filmdengan ancient Japanese history. The palace is also often used as a substitute location for the other palaces such as Edo Castle.

Founder Palace

There are records that can be trusted that the Himeji Castle was first built in 1346 at the age of North Castle-Palace of the South by the son shogunAkamatsu Norimura (Enshin) named Akamatsu Sadanori in mountain locations Hime located in the northern city of Himeji.

There are opinions that say, in the days of Akamatsu clan, “the palace” which was mentioned at the time was small, so it is more appropriate if called fortress. Building on a large scale that can be called as a “palace,” was built in the 16th century by Shigetaka Kuroda from Kodera’s ruling clan in the lowlands Harima.

Afterwards, in 1580 right hand named Oda Nobunaga Hideyoshi Hashiba (later known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi) chose Himeji Castle as the center of power to govern Harima. The palace then repaired by following the model of a medieval castle that looked nice from the outside.

Unfortunately, the remaining palace buildings and architectural heritage that can be seen now is not the architectural relics from the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but from the time of “shogun west country” Ikeda Terumasa which is the husband of the daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Ikeda Terumasa took 8 years to complete the Himeji Castle which was built in 1601. Minister Ikeda daimyo family named Iza Tadazumi appointed as leader of the construction ( fushin bugy) And Sakurai Genbei as head carpenter. Construction of the palace to deploy workers from the residents around the palace. According to the calculation of the Japanese way, the construction of the palace is estimated to need a handyman with a total power between 40 million to 50 million working days.

Building Composition

Himeji Castle is a castle built on a hill in the middle of the plateau (model hirayamajiro palace). Centers are in the mountain palace Hime established with the main tower right in the middle. Surrounding area which is a flat land also incorporated into the palace.

Overall, using array Himeji castle model building spiralyang Teikaku shaped rotating counterclockwise with clockwise 3 times, with starting point in the northern mountain Hime. The first round is called Uchiguruwa (in zones), the second round called Nakakuruwa (middle zone), and the third round is called Sotokuruwa (outer zone). Now all that was left was the living zone which is a complex Uchikuruwa Himeji Castle today. Other zones Sogamae utilized as a region (outermost territories palace) which encircle the city around the palace.

Uchikuruwa inner zone consists of five layers, namely Honmaru (main area), Ninomaru (the secondary), Sannomaru (the tertiary), Nishinomaru (west region), and Demaru (keepers of the palace office). Inside Uchikuruwa zone there are also several other zones, namely Mizukuruwa, Koshikuruwa, and Obikuruwa. Each zone is separated in detail with gates which are named based on the composition of Hiragana “i-ro-ha”, like I-no-Mon, Ha-no-Mon, and so on.

Broad field that is now in front of Himeji Castle building, formerly a Sannomaru region, while the Zoo Himejimenempati Demaru parts. In the region there is little Nishinomaru only remaining buildings, one of whom tower named Kesho-Yagura.

Construction of the palace, led by Ikeda Terumasa performed exactly in between the War and the Battle of Sekigahara Winter-Summer Osaka (Osaka no eki), therefore, the palace was designed with the intent to use in real battle. Appearance also at the same court should look beautiful and majestic as a symbol of majesty “shogun west country” which became the nickname Ikeda Terumasa.

After the Himeji Castle is built, in Japan there is no longer building large palaces such as Himeji Castle, because in 1615 the Tokugawa shogunate government issued a decree “The state of the palace” (Ikkoku-Ichijo-rei). Construction of a new palace, the restoration and repair some of the palaces became impossible without a permit issued by the Tokugawa Shogunate, with the exception of Edo Castle and Nagoya Castle is the residence of the Tokugawa clan.

In the northern mountain wilderness remaining Hime-haraseirin Himeyama that has existed since before the palace was built. According to the newspaper, an underground tunnel from the exit Honmaru have the emergence in the middle of the forest-haraseirin Himeyama, but until now no one can find it.

In the west of the mountain river flowing Hime Senbagawa a useful addition to the transport path, some rivers flow diverted into the castle moat.

Hall and the gate

The halls of the palace was designed similar labirinyang sharply twisting and twisting, widening and narrowing in one place elsewhere, with the intention that the enemy can not move forward in a straight line toward the main tower. Winding hallway Himeji Castle using the composition of Hideyoshi era buildings at the same time optimally utilize the existing topography.

Some gates are also made very narrow, so narrow that only people can pass one by one. In addition, the gates are built in places unexpected and its buildings are made that are not easily seen by the enemy, with the intention that the enemy caught in the gate and could not continue the attack. One tactic, the enemy were herded into a dead end alley and then clamped with an attack from either side so that the enemy is confused so topsy-turvy.

If you get into the palace through the ramp (located north Sannomaru) and walk straight through the gates after Mugi-no-Mon, the road that passes through the gate I-no-Mon, Ro-no-Mon, and Ha- no-Fri will likely look like a shortcut to the main tower. But actually, the road to the main tower could be closer if after passing the gate Mugi-no-Mon, immediately turn right past the low-roofed small door hidden among the stone walls.

Ru gate-no-Mon is the gateway Uzumimon model that can be hidden with heaps of soil, sand, and gravel so that the enemy can not see it. Surely the enemy will be surprised by the sudden attack of the gate is not visible.

In the hallway toward the Ni-no-mon of the Ha-No-Mon, enemies can only move forward without being able to see the party stand behind him (surely be attacked from behind), let alone the gates of Ha-no-Mon in the form of an iron door that was really narrow. Suppose that could qualify as well, without a detour once again under the main tower complex, the enemy will not get to the main tower.

Tower Palace

The main tower at Himeji Castle is one of the towers of the palace is still the original building construction, the outside appearance of the palace is still the same as in the Edo period of time, so there was no mistaking that the palace was used as a symbol of the city of Himeji.

On the foundation built on top of the mountain Hime, there are five flat-roofed main tower which is a seven-story building (6 levels up and a basement), and three small towers of the building (West Tower, Tower Inui, and the East Tower ). 2 flat-roofed building called Watari-Yagura (literally: “the tower to cross”) is used to connect a single tower with another tower.

Use of Watari-Yagura as a liaison between the tower building is called the method Renritsu.Berdasarkan period of development and model construction, the tower of Himeji Castle was listed as a model of the control tower end of period (Japanese, goki Horo-gata)

The entire tower building is intended to shelter from enemy attacks so that the walls built to resist fire, anti-fire and bullet proof with white plaster shikkui which also adds to the beauty of the palace.

The opposite of the white Himeji Castle, Castle Okayama nicknamed “Crow Castle” because of the castle walls made of boards like the color black crow. Himeji Castle construction done during the transition period the use of wall board (for example, Okayama Castle) to the use of white stucco palace shikkui to the outside wall.

Tower of Himeji Castle is rich with architectural diversity when compared with other castle towers in Japan. Kara-hafu is a large ridge that forms a smooth arch, while the Chidori-shaped ridge hafu is an open book that ditelungkupkan. Chidori-hafu variations with a multi-layered roof is called O-Chidorihafu.

Just below the second layer of Kara-hafu south-facing trellis looks gigantic conspicuous. Katomado is a unique window shaped like a bell located in the West Tower and Tower Inui. Window Katomado model can also be found at Hikone Castle and several other palaces belonging to the model tower steeple final period.

High main tower when measured from the foundation of the tower is 15.18 meters, while if the height of the tower foundations accounted for the overall height of the main tower is 46 meters 36 cm (measured from the south side of the tower).

According to estimates, the weight of the tower are now about 5,700 tonnes, whereas the previous weight reaches 6200 tons. The weight of the tower to be reduced thanks to a massive restoration times Showayang replacing tile with lighter materials. The main tower is now used to exhibit a wide range of items related to the Himeji Castle.

Nishinomaru

The remaining buildings in the area Nishinomaru Watari-Yagura just stay connected by Nagatsubone (a row of rooms along the 300-meter), and Kesho-yagurayang located at the northernmost tip. The rooms at Nagatsubone formerly used by the waitresses as a bedroom.

Honda Tamadasa Kesho-built towers of Yagura after Kuwana, Ise (now Mie Prefecture region). The cost to establish Kesho-Yagura tower taken from the Princess Mon dowry of 100,000 koku. As the name implies, in the tower Kesho-Yagura (Japanese, literally: “the tower dressed up”) found the remains belong to Princess Mon cosmetic restoration was held during the World War II.

Princess Sentinggal in the territory occupied residence Nishinomaru called Ch?shomaru (another name: Tenjuinmaru, built in 1618) or a big house Musashino-Goten contained in addition Sannomaru, but unfortunately now there is no more remains of the second building.

Koshikuruwa and Mizukuruwa

On the north side of the main tower there Koshikuruwa region. In this region there are wells and warehouses storing rice and salt intended for supplies at the palace in a state of siege. In peacetime, the food stored in warehouses around the mountain Hime.

Ground under the palace tower comprises a layer of hard rock that could not be dug water wells in this location, but were dug in areas Mizukuruwa with gates built to keep the supply lines between the tower and the palace gate Koshikuruwa. In the region Mizukuruwa, gates named after the serial number, start-Ichi Mizu Mizu-to-Go Mon-Fri.

Within the Koshikuruwa, precisely on the side of the gate of Ho-no-Fri there is a wall of hardened soil called Aburakabe wall. This wall was intentionally left bare by the natural color of brown soil, in contrast to the other walls are plastered shikkui white color. There are various theories that try to explain the construction methods and reasons Aburakabe wall is made as it is, but there are also opinions that say this wall relic of Hideyoshi.

Harakirimaru

In the southeast of the main tower there is a tower-Yagura Obikuruwa having Harakirimaru sinister epithet. The nickname was born because the atmosphere is gloomy and dark around the wells in the area Koshikuruwa. Not surprising considering this place was prepared as a hiding place to surprise the enemy with a hail of gunfire. There has never been in the record that in Harakirimaru never held a ritual suicide, let alone there can be no innocent people in the palace is a must to commit seppuku.