Japan's Stone Wall Culture from Ancient Times to Today
By Yukari Yamano
Original stone wall at the Seattle Japanese Garden covered in azaleas in spring, 2025 (Photo by Chie Iida)
In 1590, the feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had control over most of Japan’s Kanto region, laid siege to Odawara Castle in Kanagawa Prefecture. After months of standoff and stalemate, another castle suddenly appeared on the southern hills—Ishigakiyama (“Stone Wall Mountain”) Castle, also known as the "castle built in one night." In reality, it had taken Hideyoshi about 80 days to erect, but he concealed the construction within the surrounding forest. Hideyoshi made it appear as if the castle was built overnight by suddenly clearing the trees. It was a strategic, psychological move meant to demoralize the Hōjō clan of Odawara Castle, who surrendered just nine days later.
What made this "miracle" possible was the craftsmanship of stone walls, which dates back well before Japan’s Warring States (15th and 16th centuries CE) period to ancient times.
The Wisdom of Stacking Stones
The roots of Japan’s stone wall culture can be traced to the Kofun period (300 to 538 CE), with its stone burial chambers, as well as the Asuka (538 to 710 CE) and Nara (710 to 794 CE) periods, which saw the construction of ancient mountain castles (Kodai-yamajiro). In the latter half of the 7th century, in preparation for possible invasions from the Korean Peninsula, mountain castles were built with stone walls, and this early technique gradually developed into the sophisticated stone stacking techniques that we know today.
The early methods later influenced the design of temples, residential structures, gardens, and castles, and gave rise to Japan’s unique tradition of stone construction.
Painting of Azuchi Castle by Iwasaki Ou, 1955
The Golden Age: Innovations by Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu
Stone walls became central to castle architecture during the late Warring States period. In 1576, Oda Nobunaga built Azuchi Castle (in the current-day city of Ōmihachiman), which is considered Japan’s first large-scale stone castle. Nobunaga’s use of massive stone walls, built into the slopes of the mountains, was revolutionary, marking a clear departure from the earthen walls—fortified with heaped-up rocks—of previous castles. His use of stone signified both strength and elegance.
Following Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi continued the innovation of stone wall construction, building massive stone walls at Osaka Castle and Kumamoto Castle, among others. These projects set the stage for the spread of the stone wall technique across Japan.
Later, under Tokugawa Ieyasu, many castles, including Edo Castle, were built or renovated with stone walls. The craft of stone construction reached its peak during the Edo period (1603 to 1868 CE).
One Castle Rule & Stone Wall Preservation
In 1603, the Tokugawa Shogunate enacted the "Single Castle Per Province Rule," limiting the number of castles a feudal lord could own to one. While this policy suppressed the construction of new castles, it led to the careful maintenance and repair of existing stone walls. This ensured the preservation of the craft and allowed the techniques to be passed down through generations.
During this period, stone walls were not just military structures but also became symbols of prestige and beauty, reflecting the power and status of the ruling class.
Himeji Castle (Photo courtesy Niko Kitsakis/Wikimedia Commons).
Three Representative Stone Wall Styles
Nozura-zumi (Field-Stone Wall): This is the oldest form, where natural stones are stacked without much processing. The rugged beauty of these walls is one of their defining features. Example: Maruoka Castle (Fukui).
Uchikomi-hagi (Pounded-and-Chipped Stone Wall): Stones are shaped and placed with minimal gaps between them, striking a balance between durability and appearance. Example: Himeji Castle (Hyogo).
Kiri-komi-hagi (Cut-and-Made Stone Wall): This method involves precisely cutting stones to fit perfectly together like pieces of a puzzle, showcasing advanced craftsmanship. Example: Kumamoto Castle (Kumamoto), famous for its "Musha-gaeshi" (warrior-repelling) stone walls.
Rendering of the restored north wall at the Japanese Garden (Hoshide Wanzer Architects)
Japanese Garden Harbor Area
Japan’s stone wall culture is quietly present in the Seattle Japanese Garden as well. In the North Harbor Area, the ishigaki (“castle”) stone wall symbolizes harmony with nature and is an integral part of the garden aesthetic. However, the current stone wall is in need of restoration due to the natural wear and tear of time.
In 2026, the wall will be rebuilt by Suminori Awata, one of the last remaining stonemasons of his 15-generation lineage, with support from U.S.-based artisans. The ishigaki will be formed with enormous granite boulders that are split and shaped by hand into foundational cornerstones. Smaller stones will top the cornerstones, with ballast stones filling the gaps instead of mortar. Awata will direct the precise placement of each stone, explaining that he “listens to the stones and puts them where they want to go.” Magnificent structures, iskigaki often stand for centuries.
As a crucial part of this project, the nearby walkways will be regraded and built to be ADA-compliant, allowing the Garden to become even more inclusive, accessible, and restorative to the 100,000 guests visiting annually from across the globe.
Your Contribution Helps Preserve a Cultural Legacy
Japanese stone walls are layers of history, artistic expressions of nature and human ingenuity, and silent symbols of strength. To preserve this culture for future generations, and to maintain the beauty and harmony of the Seattle Japanese Garden, we ask for your support in the stone wall restoration project, which has a total budget of $2.5 million.
To make a donation or inquire about naming opportunities, please email Clare Hausmann, Arboretum Foundation Director of Advancement, at chausmann@arboretumfoundation.org.