YONAGUNI MONUMENT

 Yonaguni Monument also known as, "Yonaguni Submarine Ruins" is a submerged rock formation off the coast of Yonaguni, the southernmost of the Ryukyu Islands, in Japan. It lies aproximately a hundred kilometers east of Taiwan.

The sea off Yonaguni is a popular diving location during the winter months because of its large population of hammerhead sharks. In 1986, while looking for a good place to observe the sharks, Kihchiro Aratake, a director of the Yonaguni-Cho Tourism Association, noticed some singular seabed formations resembling architectural structures. Shortly thereafter, a group of scientists directed by Masaaki Kimura of the University of the Ryukyu visited the formations.

The unique and awe-inspiring site was discovered in 1995 by a diver who strayed too far off the Okinawa shore and was dumb-struck when he stumbled upon the sunken arrangement of monolithic blocks as if terraced into the side of a mountain. The structure sparked instant controversy and attracted crowds of diving archaeologists, media and curious hobbyists, none of whom were able to ascertain its identity.

Geologist Robert Schoch of Boston University is one scientists who believes that the structures were naturally formed by acknowledges that they may have been used or modified by humans in the past. He points to the fact that the site lies in an earthquake-prone region and that earthquakes tend to fracture rocks in a regular manner. This is also the view of John Anthony West who believes that the so-called walls are simply natural horizontal platforms which fell into a vertical position when rock below them eroded and the alleged roads are simply channels in the rock.

YONAGUNI ISLAND

Nevertheless, many scientists are persisting in their search for further evidence of their man-made nature with the belief that the stone structures are the remnants of an old city that must have existed around 10,000 years ago when the seal level was much lower than i is today since it does not appear that the site fell into the sea.

HIMEJI CASTLE

             Himeji Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle complex situated in the city of Himeji which is located in Hyogo, Japan. The castle is regarded as the finest surviving Japanese castle architecture with 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the Feudal Period. The castle is frequently known as "White Egret Castle" or "White Heron Castle" because of its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight.

            Himeji Castle was originally built in 1346 by Akamatsu Sadanori as a fortification against local shoguns. After the emperor, Nobunaga Oda, took control of the Harima district in 1577, he placed Hideyoshi in control of the castle, who converted the fortified building into a castle with over 30 turrets.

            In 1601, Ikeda Terumasa was handed control of Himeji Castle as a gift for his support of Ieyasu Tokugawa in the Sekigahara battle against the Toyotomi Daimyo. He intended to model the castle after the emperor's own castle at Azuchi. He undertook a nine year construction program, at the end of which Himeji Castle assumed its present day form.

            Visitors enter the main keep through an entrance in the lower floor of the building and climb upwards via a series of steep, narrow staircases. Each level gets progressively smaller as you ascend. The floors are generally unfurnished and display just a few multilingual signs explaining architectural features such as portholes, rock chutes and concealed spaces as well as renovation efforts made over the years to preserve the structure.

            The topmost floor houses a small shrine and lets visitors peer out in all directions, down over the castle roofs, at the maze-like defenses below and out across the city of Himeji. You can also admire an up close view of the fish-shaped roof ornaments that are believed to protect from fire. 

            Himeji Castle was never actually used in a battle and thus has remained in its present shape for over three hundred years. In 1931, it was designated a national treasure. After several aborted attempts, restoration work began in 1956 and was completed in 1964. In 1993, it was put on the list of UNESCO World Cultural and Heritage Sites.

KINKAKU-JI "THE GOLDEN PAVILION"

            It is called the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion". It is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan and one of the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto.

            The site of Kinkaku-ji was originally a villa called Kitayama-dai, belonging to a powerful statesman, Saionji Kintsune. When the villa was purchased from the Saionji family by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and transformed into a Kinkaku-ji complex. When he died it was converted into Zen temple by his son. During the Onin War, all of the buildings in the complex aside from the pavillion were burned down numerous times throughout its history. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955. Kinkaku-ji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond.

            The first floor was built in the Shinden style used for palace buildings during Heian Period, and with its natural wood pillars and white plaster walls contrasts yet complements the gilded upper stories of the pavilion. Statues of the Shaka Buddha and Yoshimitsu are stored in the first floor. Although it is not possible to enter the pavilion, the statues can be viewed from across the pond if you look closely, as the front windows of the first floor are usually kept open.

The second floor is built in the Bukke Style used in Samurai residences, and has its exterior completely covered in gold leaf. Inside is seated Kannon Bodhisattva surrounded by statues of the Four Heavenly Kings; however, the statues are not shown to the public. Finally, the third and uppermost floor is built in the style of a Chinese Zen Hall, is gilded inside and out, and is capped with a golden phoenix.