Southeast Wing (Tatsumi Tsuke-Yagura)
This extension of Matsumoto Castle was built in the 1630s, at the same time as the Moon-Viewing Tower. Its main function is to connect the Moon-Viewing Tower to the castle.
The structure of the Southeast Wing reflects the transition from the tumultuous years of the Warring States period (1467–1600) to relative peace and stability under the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1868). The Great Keep was built 40 years before the Southeast Wing, and the keep is first and foremost a defensive fortification. The Southeast Wing, having been built during peacetime, was not built to withstand a siege. Standing in the doorway between the wing and the Great Keep, it is easy to see the contrast between the timbers used in framing the two buildings. The posts of the Great Keep are about twice as wide as those in the wing.
Like other parts of the castle, one section of the floor of the Southeast Wing extends over the stone foundation below. However, it lacks the floor openings (ishi otoshi) found in the Great Keep that allowed defenders to fire down on attacking enemies.