Like Europe’s wealthy knights, the richest and most powerful daimyo built big, beautiful castles. These served as both homes and fortresses.
High walls and moats surrounded these grand castles. They protected the daimyo and his men from the armies of other feudal lords. But they also showed off a daimyo’s wealth and importance. Samurai castles had to be big. They were home not only to the daimyo, his family, and servants, but also to a lot of his army.