The only original castle remaining along the San-in coast of Chūgoku, Matsue-jō is also the second largest of the twelve extant feudal fortresses left in Japan (behind Himeji-jō). Completed in 1611 after five years of construction, it first served as the military headquarters of Horio Yoshiharu. The influential Matsudaira family took over control of the castle in 1637 after being transferred there from Matsumoto, establishing a reign that would continue for 10 generations until the Meiji era. During this time, the castle never once saw a battle, so it remained completely intact until 1875 when most of the buildings on the grounds were destroyed. Local interests helped to preserve the striking black donjon, however, which is featured at the center of this photo.