Nagoya Seeking Donations To Rebuild Nagoya Castle

Above, Godzilla (Haruo Nakajima) is about to demolish Nagoya Castle in
 Mothra vs. Godzilla (a.k.a. Godzilla vs. The Thing). Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

Nagoya Castle is about to be demolished again. Not by the U.S. (as was the case during World War II) or by Godzilla (as was the case in Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)). It is to be dismantled so that a wooden version can be built on the site.

The Japan Times reported:

NAGOYA – The city of Nagoya will start accepting donations Friday to finance a restoration project that will re-create the original wooden structure of Nagoya Castle’s main tower. 

The city aims to collect ¥10 billion through its Kinshachi donation campaign, which is named after the two statues of the kin no shachihoko (golden tiger-headed fish) on the roof of the castle’s donjon. 

Those who donate ¥1 million or more will be entitled to enter Nagoya Castle free of charge for 30 years. The city aims to complete the restoration in 2022 at a maximum cost of ¥50.5 billion. 

“We can expect donations not only from Nagoya but also from all over the world,” Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura said at a news conference last Monday.
About ¥10 million has been already donated, according to the city.

The current Nagoya Castle was constructed in 1959 in reinforced concrete.

To read more, go here.

Nagoya Castle: Enter At Your Own Risk

Above, Godzilla approaches a miniature of Nagoya Castle. Photo signed by Haruo Nakajima.

Nagoya Castle is deteriorating, according to the city's mayor. He wants to repair/restore it, but has met with opposition in the city's legislature.

According to Kyodo News:

The Nagoya municipal government on Friday took the unusual step of posting a warning to tourists that they enter Nagoya Castle's tower structure at their own risk due to the building being in danger of collapse in a strong earthquake. 

Three signs were installed within the castle grounds to warn of the risk of entering the multistory building, whose concrete is degrading and therefore lacks resistance to temblors, according to the city. 

The idea of the warning signs came from Mayor Takashi Kawamura, who is frustrated with a lack of progress in restoration work due to opposition from the city assembly. The city is hoping to restore the castle's tower, rebuilt in 1959 and which has two fish-like golden ornaments on the roof, with wood.

Godzilla fans are familiar with Nagoya Castle as it was featured, and demolished, by Godzilla in 1964's Mothra vs. Godzilla (known here as Godzilla vs. The Thing).

To read more, go here.

Hiroshi Koizumi, R.I.P.

Above, Hiroshi Koizumi in Godzilla Raids Again.

Hiroshi Koizumi, the Japanese actor who appeared in many kaiju movies including Godzilla Raids Again (1955), Mothra (1961), Godzilla vs. The Thing (1964), Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (1964), Return of Godzilla (1984) and Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) has passed away at age 88 on May 31.

According to Dread Central:

The Kaiju universe has lost another cherished star as Hiroshi Koizumi has passed on at age 88 due to pneumonia. Koizumi was probably one of the most recognizable faces working in the industry throughout the Sixties, and he’s left behind a cornucopia of giant monster memories.

Koizumi specialized in scientist roles emoting quiet scholarly dignity amid the chaos surrounding him and his co-stars.

Nagoya Castle Wall Getting 1st Restoration In 300 Years

Above, Godzilla (Haruo Nakajima) about to demolish Nagoya Castle.  
No, this isn't the reason for the resoration. Toho Co., Ltd. photo.

A restoration project at Nagoya Castle is in full swing. Restoration work on a stretch of the castle's stone wall has begun.

According to The Japan Times:

NAGOYA – The ongoing renovation of “ishigaki” stone walls surrounding Nagoya Castle has gotten into full swing, with a 123-meter stretch of the 15-meter-high stone wall being removed so far. 

In one of the country’s largest such renovation projects and the first at Nagoya Castle in 300 years, workers have so far discovered signatures engraved in the stones that identify lords who helped establish the fortifications. 

Nagoya Castle, including the surrounding stone wall, is registered as a national special historic site. The stone wall was last restored around the end of the 17th century, according to a 1682 document.

Nagoya Castle is familiar to Godzilla fans as it was featured in 1964's Mothra vs. Godzilla (released in the U.S. as Godzilla vs. The Thing).

To read more, go here. 

Nagoya Castle Structures Restored

Above, Godzilla (photo signed by Haruo Nakajima) approaches Nagoya Castle in 1964. Photo: Toho Co., Ltd.
and part of collection of Armand Vaquer.

Structures at Nagoya Castle have been restored for the first time in 70 years and a ceremony was held Thursday with Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura in attendance.

The restored structures included the entrance and reception room of the main residential building.

According to News On Japan:

The Honmaru Palace was built in the early Edo Period in the early 17th century as a residence and office of Tokugawa Yoshinao, the first feudal lord of the Owari Domain. 

The building was designated a national treasure in 1930, but was destroyed in the 1945 air raids by the US air force.

Nagoya Castle was destroyed by Godzilla in 1964's Mothra vs. Godzilla (known in the U.S. as Godzilla vs. The Thing).  It is covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 40.

To read more (a video is included), go here. 

Getting Prepared

Above, Haruo Nakajima takes a break during filming of "Mothra vs. Godzilla" (1964).
Photo courtesy of Sonoe Nakajima.

Things are proceeding nicely for Haruo Nakajima's appearance at the Mad Monster Party.

Photographic prints for autographs are now being made (I saw the proofs and they look damn good, if I say so myself).  Prices for Mr. Nakajima's autographed photos hasn't been set as yet.  I am checking with Sonoe Nakajima about having his autobiography available (be forewarned, it is in Japanese, but at least the photos in it are in English).

As for myself, I am already prepared as I ordered a new shipment of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan months ago.

For more information on the Mad Monster Party, go here.