御武具櫓跡 Stele

Gazing up at the imposing structure before us, can you imagine the sheer scale of the original OnnBuguyagura? The 禦武具櫓跡, or OnnBuguyagura Stele, marks the spot where Fukuoka Castle’s largest structure once stood. This stele, a testament to the past, tells the story of a mighty arsenal, a three-story building that dominated the southernmost part of the main enclosure. Imagine a structure spanning 74 meters, rising 15 meters into the sky. This was the OnnBuguyagura, the tallest structure in Fukuoka Castle, a symbol of military might. The eastern and western ends of the OnnBuguyagura boasted three-tiered towers, connected by a unique double-layered connecting structure. This two-tiered design was unlike anything else in Fukuoka Castle. The OnnBuguyagura housed weapons and armor, crucial for defending the castle during times of war. These artifacts, passed down through generations of the Kuroda clan, reflected the castle’s history and significance. Some even dated back to the Sengoku period. A detailed inventory of these items was meticulously documented in a register titled “OnnBuguyagura Armory Inventory”. The OnnBuguyagura Stele reminds us of this grand structure. In 1919, it was moved to Hakata Bay. Tragically, during World War II, in 1945, the original structure was destroyed in an air raid. Today, this stele serves as a poignant reminder of the castle’s architectural splendor and military history. It allows us to connect with the past, imagining the imposing presence of the OnnBuguyagura within the castle walls.