Lit. "connected towers." Also termed renritsushiki tenshu 連立式天守. An extensive, highly-developed castle complex comprised of a large principal tower and two or more small subsidiary towers. These are linked together by connecting parapets *watariyagura 渡櫓, enclosing an inner courtyard. The entrance is built into one of the watariyagura so any intruder had to first enter the inner courtyard to reach any of the *tenshu 天守, providing the castle with extra defensive protection. As at Himeji-jō 姫路城 (1609, Hyōgo Prefecture) the kitchen might be located in the inner courtyard, where it was protected from attack. The outward-facing walls of the complex were elaborately constructed with Chinese style gables *karahafu 唐破風 and ogival windows *katōmado 火灯窓, as well as defensive features like gun ports *teppō sama 鉄砲挾間, and stone-drops *ishi otoshi 石落. The inner walls facing the courtyard were fitted with many windows, and had no defensive gun ports.