Samurai needed a bit more than a hedge and a dog to protect their houses, so a series of strategic barriers were devised which became known as “mushagaeshi” (武者返し) - literally, “repel the warrior”. You can see examples if you visit any collection of samurai residences, known as “bukeyashiki” (武家屋敷) - the best preserved examples are in Nagasaki’s Shimabara and Kagoshima’s Chiran. The term particularly refers to the sloped shape and random rock placement of Kumamoto Castle’s walls, designed to bamboozle invaders (though the cannon eventually made this obsolete).
JR Kumamoto station has incorporated this motif in their new building, unveiled yesterday, 3/16. Many events continue today to celebrate this. If you’re free, visit. If warriors attack, retreat to the station’s interior and hope they don’t have cannon. - William