更新日：2021年1月1日

Hamamatsu Castle, the face of the city

Hamamatsu Children’s Exposition

In 1950, Hamamatsu Children’s Exposition was held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the incorporation of Hamamatsu City. This Children’s Exposition was planned as an event symbolizing postwar reconstruction, and it featured an exhibition hall and zoo aimed at children. Hamamatsu Castle Park was opened in the same year.

Ropeway

The main keep foundation of Hamamatsu Castle became private property after the castle was abandoned, and an observation platform was installed there. Later, a tourism company acquired the land, and in 1953 they installed a ropeway connecting the main keep foundation and the zoo. Operation of the ropeway was taken over by the municipal government in 1956, and it remained in operation until construction of the restored main keep.

Hamamatsu Castle Park in the early 1970s

The early 1970s were the peak era of sports, culture, and entertainment in the park. Hamamatsu Castle Park started to change after the competition swimming pool was dismantled in 1979, and the zoo was closed in 1982. After the gymnasium was removed in 2008, a movement gained speed to restore the historical landscape, and archaeological excavations have been conducted more frequently since then.

 Hamako the elephant, the most popular animal in the zoo

Hamamatsu City Zoo was opened in 1950, timed to coincide with the Hamamatsu Children’s Exposition. Hamako was the name given to an elephant imported from Thailand. Along with her male counterpart Matsuo, Hamako was known as the face of the zoo, and the second generation of elephants (in the photograph) were also beloved by many citizens.

A center for amusement

The venue for the Hamamatsu Children’s Exposition was taken over by the Hamamatsu City Zoo, and a number of amusement facilities were set up inside the park, including a Ferris wheel, go-carts, and a ride modeled on a train. The zoo in Hamamatsu Castle Park was a place for relaxation, which also happened to function as an amusement park.

Hamamatsu Municipal Pool

Pools built inside Hamamatsu Castle Park included a competition swimming pool and diving competition facility which have served as venues for the National Sports Festival of Japan, as well as a circular pool for residents to relax in. Hamamatsu is also known as a city where many swimming competitions are held, and many residents have participated in these competitions.

Drawing depicting unchosen restored main keep designs

These are drawings of the restored main keep design that were ultimately not selected. There is little information on the main keep of Hamamatsu Castle in the 16th century, so there are many points regarding its structure and appearance that remain unclear. Several design plans with different structures were made in preparation for construction of the restored main keep in 1958.

The restored main keep under construction

A policy was chosen to raise funds by soliciting donations from citizens for construction of the restored main keep, and the Hamamatsu Castle Reconstruction Resolution Association was formed in 1956. The main keep was designed by Hisashi Kido (Professor, Nagoya Institute of Technology), and constructions costs totaled to approximately ¥14,000,000. Of this amount, donations from citizens totaled approximately ¥9,000,000.

The National Sports Festival and construction of the restored main keep

In 1957, the National Sports Festival of Japan was held in Shizuoka Prefecture, and competitions including swimming were held in Hamamatsu. Construction of the restored main keep of Hamamatsu Castle was scheduled to proceed in time for the festival, and the entire city felt a sense of momentum. However, construction encountered difficulties, and the restored main keep was completed the year after the National Sports Festival was held.

The “second generation” main keep made with plywood

A replica main keep made with plywood appeared on the main keep foundation of Hamamatsu Castle in time for the Hamamatsu Children’s Exposition held in 1950. This could be called the “second generation” main keep, counting from the original structure. The stone walls of the replica main keep were also represented with plywood, and the structure doubled as an observation deck.

View of Hamamatsu Castle from the main thoroughfare (1955 – 1965)

After Japan’s WWII defeat in 1945, urban functions were concentrated in and around Hamamatsu Castle. This started with the relocation of Motoshiro Elementary School inside the second bailey in 1948, the opening of a zoo and pools in 1950, relocation of city hall main office to its current location in 1952, and the construction of the restored main keep in 1958.

Artifacts excavated from the main keep enclosure

Meiji Period – Early Showa Period
Most of the grounds of Hamamatsu Castle, which were abandoned in the Meiji period, have since been urbanized. However, the main keep enclosure and its surroundings have been used as entertainment facilities with an observation platform. Artifacts excavated from the main keep enclosure suggest that food and drink were previously served here.

 

 Main keep foundation in the early Showa Period (1926 – 1989)

 1930
This guide map was created in preparation for Emperor Showa’s visit to Hamamatsu. It was made by Yoshida Hatsusaburo, a master of bird’s eye view pictures. There is a watchtower turret depicted on the main keep foundation of Hamamatsu Castle.

Iron Castle Keep in 1903 – 1906

1899
This was made by former shogunate vassals in preparation for a commemorative ceremony for the noble entitling of Tokugawa Yoshinobu in Hamamatsu. The main keep foundation of Hamamatsu Castle was equipped with an observation platform called the “Iron Castle Keep”.

Sake bottle used for storage of liquor

Later Meiji Period – Taisho Period (Early 20th century)
This sake bottle was used for storing alcoholic beverages. It has written on it “Hamamatsu”, a cross in a circle, and “Mabuchiya”. Mabuchiya is a long running establishment founded in the Genroku era (1688 – 1704), and in the modern era it jointly managed the main keep enclosure and surrounding areas in Hamamatsu Castle.

Ceramics

Meiji Period – Early Showa Period (late 19th century to mid 20th century)

Iron Castle Keep Admission Ticket

 1903 (replica)
This is an admission ticket for the “Iron Castle Keep” distributed to participants when the Japanese Red Cross Society branch convention was held in Hamamatsu in 1903.

Architecture of the reconstructed main keep

A policy was chosen to raise funds by soliciting donations from citizens, and the Hamamatsu Castle Reconstruction Resolution Association was established in 1956. Construction of the restored main keep was completed in 1958. Design proposals have been examined at least 3 times.

Reconstructed Main Keep Completion Commemorative Admission Ticket

 1958

Hamamatsu Castle Blueprints (final plan)

The final plan was designed by Kido Hisashi, a professor (at the time) of Nagoya Institute of Technology.

Seal of the Hamamatsu Castle Reconstruction Resolution Association

The receipt stamp is set on December 5, 1958.

Hamamatsu Castle Reconstruction Donation Box

Private Collection
These boxes were made for fund raising and distributed throughout the city in preparation for construction of the Hamamatsu Castle restored main keep

Hamamatsu Castle Completion Commemorative Picture Plate

It was presented to special donors once construction of the restored main keep of Hamamatsu Castle was completed.

Hamamatsu Castle Reconstruction Resolution Association Poster

Replica, scale modification