Comparing and Contrasting Borgund Church and Hirosaki Castle

Two important architectural structures were those of Borgund Stave Church in Norway
and Hirosaki Castle Japan. These masterworks from ancient times are many continents away but
share common characteristics and well as differences. The authors want to prove that this church
and castle have significance in their preservation. The authors will explore how these buildings
are alike in addition to different, their preservation techniques and their historical, cultural and
religious impacts. The authors refer to articles and publications to show that both were
significant to their respective countries.
Borgund Stave Church
Borgund Stave church, is a classic stave type church located in the village of Borgund in
Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway (Borgund Stave Church.ScandinaviaCityGuide.com). The
name stave comes from the use of large pillars in construction. This church is considered as a
very well- preserved church from the middle Ages. With stage type passageways in addition to a
raised center, ridge turret, and shellfish-like thatched roof and walls, Borgund has been
considered the prototype of most stave churches in Europe (about the Chapel in the Hills 4). It
has been the model when other stave churches were restored because of its fantastic preservation
and detail.
Furthermore, Borgund Stave Church is one of the oldest, well-maintained in Norway. For
this reason, this stave church has been replicated a number of times. For example, in 1908 there
was a replica built in Germany and in the 60s an exact reproduction was built in Rapid City,
Kansas (about the Chapel in the Hills 1). The stave church was constructed of a distinctive
type of fir called "malmfuru"; (this no longer available to get) which was very solid, with

excessive size and long straight trunks. The closest to this fir in North America is the Douglas fir.
It is of this fir that the Chapel in the Hills is constructed (about the Chapel in the Hills 3).
Historical Significance.
Norway became a Christian nation following the period of the Vikings. Immediately after
Christianity religion took over, a period of church construction launched which lasted for some
centuries. The Borgund is believed to have been constructed about 1150 AD at the end of the
most extensive inlet (Sogn fjord) in Norway (fjordnorway/things-to-do/culture-and-heritage 1).
Norway declined to build their early churches out of stone and chose wood instead. The
Borgund Stape Church was assembled in the same way that Vikings built longboats as many of
the construction methods are similar. Because of the churchs construction being near to the end
of the Viking age, and since it has the same type of techniques, the stave church shows
characteristics of both Christianity and Viking. There is evidence for this in the detailed
woodwork.
For example, the arches are fished (joined), by a diagonal point at the middle of the arch
and does not look like two knees (arches) but like one sawn arch. Both knees and fishing are
characteristic of Viking boat building. Knees are naturally curved wood taken from the part of
the tree where the roots turn on an angle to become the tree trunk and are much stronger than
wood sawn into a curve. Fishing is joining two pieces of wood together on an angle, similar to
plant grafting (about the Chapel in the Hills 4). The church foundation itself was built on a
base of flat stones used to raise the support beams from the ground and wetness. The walls were
made from upright beams topped with four more beams to support the roof. Although ordinary in
appearance, the procedures used to build the church are unique (about the Chapel in the Hills
3).

Religious Significance. Another uniqueness of the Borgund Stave church is the abundant
woodwork throughout. The Vikings woodwork skills fueled construction practices in the new
world and it became a prominent part of building traditions. As more stave churches were
assembled they took on a symbolism using exaggerated descriptions of the divine importance of
the various statues and parts of the construction of the various stave churches in Norway,
especially the Borgund which was the first and most well preserved.
Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle, located in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, is a hirayama style
Japanese castle. They were originally built as fortifications constructed primarily of wood and
stone. They developed from the wooden enclosures of previous periods, and evolved to the
present form in the 16th century. These types of castles such as Hirosaki were built to guard
important or tactical sites, such as ports, river crossings, and almost always integrated the
scenery into their defenses. Although basic in assembly, the wood and earthen structures were
intended to look impressive in addition to function successfully during wars. Hirosaki Castle is
no exception (Hirosaki Castle (Hirosaki Park) 1).
Tsugaru, formerly Toyotomi Hideyoshi, began construction of Hirosaki Castle in 1603.
He died a year later in battle and construction ceased. In 1609, his descendent resumed
construction. The design was a six level main keep with an attached storeroom for ammunition,
and six baileys which were the surrounding walls of the fortress, each separated by a moat.
Hirosaki Castle was built using a Sotogata type structure which means multi-leveled. This type
of keep is built when the foundation is virtually square. Each level is the same shape, a little
smaller than the previous. The smaller gables on this type of main keep are primarily decorative

and not a necessary part of the roofing construction of the castle (Hirosaki Castle (Hirosaki Park)
1 & 2).
The original castle had six levels and an attached gatehouse with eight baileys and moats
but it was destroyed by fire from a lightning strike (Japanese Castle Explorer 1). The current
version is a separate standing building. It has three surviving yagura or tombs like a hole in the
hillside. Originally, these were defensive lookouts placed at strategic locations throughout the
castle, but later became storehouses, first for ammunition, then other things. In addition, there are
eight gates left from the original castle (jcastle.info 1).
Even though the main keep is not very spectacular and there is less stonework, the
buildings and walls are more distinctive than other Japanese castles. There are five large, original
yaguramon gates as well, not seen anywhere else and 3 three story yaguras left. The castle, the
grounds, and moats are nearly perfectly preserved (jcastle.info 2).
Historical Significance. Japanese castles were an important measure of Japans past. They
functioned as defense centers and were intentionally located in trading routes, waterways, and
streets. They were also the epicenter of authority in Japanese states which fought each other
constantly by the 15th century. Therefore, the ruling noble (daimyo) of each sovereign state built
his own castle with strategic lookouts, such as on top of mountains, in case they were
unexpectedly attacked. After the 1590 Battle of Odawara, a soldier, ura Tamenobu fought
valiantly for the Japanese leader, Toyotomi Hideyoshi against one of the most dominant fighter
groups in Japan, the Hojo. He then changed his name to Tsugaru and fought during the Battle of
Sekigahara. Because of his bravery, he officially became the lord of Hirosaki Domain (Yasuka
1).

Tsugaru began work on Hirosaki Castle in 1603, but building came to a cessation when
he died a year later in battle. His descendant Tsugaru Nobuhira resumed building the castle six
years later and completed it in 1611. In 1627, the main building was struck by lightning and the
resultant fire exploded the stored gunpowder stored in the adjacent yagura. The Castle was
completely destroyed.
In 1810, the main building was rebuilt by the ninth daimy, Tsugaru Yasuchika, into a
more modest, three stories rather than the original six (Yasuka 1).
Political Significance. When the Han system of government was eliminated in 1869, the Tsugaru
band yielded Hirosaki Castle to the new Meiji government. The Castle became a military base
for the Imperial Japanese Army in 1871 and a martial arts school in 1873(wiki.samurai-archives
aptinet Aomori 1).
Cultural Significance. In 1898, the lands adjoining Hirosaki Castle were given by the Tsugaru
band to the government for a park for the community. Most of the castle, especially the roof tiles
and other decorations, were destroyed during World War II. However, under the Cultural
Properties Protections government system, all except for two remaining structures in the castle
were named National Important Cultural Properties. After renovation in 1953, the East Gate was
also selected as a famous site. In 2006, Hirosaki Castle was recognized as one of one hundred
nicest castles by the Japan Castle Foundation (Yasuka 1).
Social Significance. Surrounding Hirosaki Castle are the famous Cherry Blossom Trees. There
are about 2,600 trees that were planted in 1903. During the Sakura Matsuri or Cherry Blossom
Festival each year, millions of people come to see the trees in full bloom during late April into
mid-May. In addition to the Castle and the park, Hirosaki University sits upon the grounds
(Yasuka 1).

Similarities. Hirosaki Castle and Borgund Stave Church are alike in that they both were so well
built; that they are remarkably preserved. The builders used similar design to build them. Both
have five steps of levels coming to a point at the top with a square foundation. Both have a gable
type roof, however, the rebuilt Hirosaki Castle does not have a stone base like the original. Both
were constructed using pillar support. Both were built on hillsides for different reasons.
Differences. Hirosaki Castle is different from Borgund Stave Church in that it has turned up
corner posts and square levels. The Borgund has a more conical shaped stages. However, both
have upright stabilizing pillars inside. Hirosaki Castle was built primarily as a fortress to watch
for enemies where the Borgund was used as a church for many years.
Conclusion
Borgund Stave Church and Hirosaki Castle have great significance in the history of their
respective countries because they were so well built that researchers can learn more about the
history of the people who used them. They are both built using similar products and similar
techniques, although each technique has a different design and use depending on the country of
origin.
Borgund Castle was built mainly for religious worship services that drew from the
Vikings while Hirosaki was built for protection from enemies during wars between bands.
However, both were so well built and preserved that each play a significant part in preserving
their countrys heritage even today. People come to see the craftsmanship of the Stave Church as
well as enjoy the peacefulness and the Cherry Blossom Festival at Hirosaki Castle each year
draws millions to its beauty.

Works Cited
Ludvig. Borgund Stave Church.ScandinaviaCityGuide.com.2015.Web.April 25, 2016.
<http://scandinaviacityguide.com/borgund-stave-church/>
N.d. Hirosaki Castle (Hirosaki Park).Aomori Prefecture, Tourism and International Affairs
Strategy Bureau.2015. Web. April 23, 2016.
<http://www.en-aomori.com/culture-020.html\>
N.d. Hirosaki Castle. Jcastle Guide to Japanese Castles. 2016. Web. April 24, 2016
<http://www.jcastle.info/castle/profile/43-Hirosaki-Castle>
O Grady, Daniel. Hirosaki Castle. Japanese Castle Explorer.2016.Web. April 25, 2016.
<http://www.japanese-castle-explorer.com/castle_profile.html?name=Hirosaki>
N.d. Stave Church Architecture & The Stave Churches of Norway. Chapel in the Hills, 3788
Chapel Lane, Rapid City, South Dakota.2016.Web.April 25, 2016.
<http://www.chapel-in-the-hills.org/architecture.html>
Schmorleitz, Morton S., Castles in Japan Tokyo: Charles E Tuttle Company Inc., 1974. Web.
<http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Hirosaki_castle>.
Yasuka. The Historic Hirosaki Castle. KCP International. Window on Japan. 2015. Web. March
23, 2015. April 23, 2016.
<http://www.kcpwindowonjapan.com/2015/03/the-historic-hirosaki-castle/>