In a striking display of community spirit, roughly 1,800 volunteers gathered in Aomori Prefecture to help reposition the massive keep of Hirosaki Castle. Using the traditional “hikiya” method—placing the structure on rollers and pulling it inch by inch—the crowd moved the 360‑tonne tower more than six feet back into place after a recent earthquake damaged a supporting wall.
The effort, organized by Hirosaki City’s parks and green spaces division, attracted participants from across Japan and overseas, including volunteers from Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. “We had about 8,000 applications for the 1,800 slots over the last two days, roughly four times oversubscribed, so not everyone could participate,” said Kensuke Hayasaka, the division head.
Preserving History with Ancient Techniques
Hirosaki Castle’s keep, a fortified tower that dates back to the early 19th century, was originally rebuilt in 1811 after a lightning strike destroyed the earlier five‑story structure in 1627. The recent earthquake caused damage to an adjacent wall, prompting the careful relocation of the keep so repairs could be completed without further harming the historic building.
All 2,185 stones of the wall have now been returned to their original positions, and the volunteer teams plan to continue pulling the keep through the end of August, aiming to shift it a total of more than 16 feet. The project highlights how ancient engineering methods can be combined with modern community involvement to protect cultural heritage.
Community Impact
The massive undertaking underscores the value of volunteerism and shared heritage. By engaging thousands of hands, the project not only safeguards a treasured landmark but also fosters a sense of unity across regions and nations, reflecting a common respect for history and craftsmanship.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
