Nijo-jo (二条城)**: Nijou (二条) - "second", jo (城) - "castle"

 

1. Today's Japanese words

Here are some Japanese vocabulary related to Nijou-jo Castle with romaji:

* **Nijo-jo (二条城)**: Nijou (二条) - "second", jo (城) - "castle"

* **Honmaru (本丸)**: hon (本) - "main", maru (丸) - "enclosure" ( refers to the outer palace)

* **Ninomaru (二の丸)**: ni (二) - "second", maru (丸) - "enclosure" ( refers to the inner palace where Ninomaru Palace is located)

* **Shogun (将軍)**: military leader of the feudal government

* **Shogunate (幕府)**: bakufu (幕府) - "tent government" ( refers to the Tokugawa shogunate)

* **Edo period (江戸時代)**: Edo (江戸) - former name for Tokyo, jidai (時代) - "period"

* **Donjon (天守)**: tenshu (天守) - "keep" ( refers to the central tower of a castle, Nijou-jo doesn't have one)

 * **Tatami (畳)**: floor mats

 * **Fusuma (襖)**: sliding doors with paper panels

 * **Byobu (屏風)**: folding screens

**Architectural elements:**

* **Shoin-zukuri (書院造)**: shoin (書院) - "study", zukuri (造) - "building style" ( refers to a style with emphasis on tatami rooms and decorative elements)

 * **Tenshukaku (天守閣)**: tenshu (天守) - "keep", kaku (閣) - "tower" (lit. "keep tower" - although Nijou-jo doesn't have one, this is a common castle feature)

 * **Honmaru Goten (本丸御殿)**: honmaru (本丸) - "main enclosure", goten (御殿) - "palace" ( refers to the buildings within the outer palace enclosure - no longer standing)

 

**Gardens:**

* **Ni no Maru Teien (二の丸庭園)**: ni no maru (二の丸) - "second enclosure", teien (庭園) - "garden" ( refers to the garden surrounding Ninomaru Palace)

 * **Seiryu-en (青龍苑)**: seiryu (青龍) - "azure dragon" (east in Chinese mythology), en (苑) - "garden" ( refers to a part of the Ninomaru Teien garden)

2. Today's topic

Nijou-jo (Nijo Castle) is a flatland castle located in Kyoto, Japan. It's known for its Ninomaru Palace, which features impressive architecture and gardens. Here's a quick breakdown:

* **Type:** Flatland castle

* **Location:** Kyoto, Japan

* **Highlights:** 

    * Ninomaru Palace (inner palace)

    * Ruins of the Honmaru Palace (outer palace)

    * Various gardens

Nijou-jo's history is intertwined with the Tokugawa shogunate, the feudal military government that ruled Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). Here's a closer look at its construction and later use:

* **Construction (1601-1626):** Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the shogunate, ordered construction in 1601. Feudal lords from western Japan contributed to the project, which was completed under Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1626.

* **Building Materials:** Parts of the earlier Shinsenen Garden, once part of the imperial palace, were incorporated into the castle grounds. The abundant water from the garden was used for the castle's moats and ponds. 

* **Purpose:** Nijou-jo served as the Kyoto residence for the shogun whenever they visited the imperial capital. 

* **Shifting Use (1867-present):** After the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867, Nijou-jo became an imperial palace for a short time. Later, it was donated to Kyoto city and opened to the public as a historic site. In 1994, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3- Today’s news

Japan exports surge 13.5% in May, helped by cheap yen

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15311224

Main palace of Kyoto’s Nijo-jo Castle to reopen after 17 years

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15309734