Jcastle.info:Copyrights

Content is available under the license Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike unless otherwise noted. Jcastle.info reserves the right to change the policy at any time.

Why We Value Attribution

Jcastle.info has been a labor of love and research for over 25 years. Every photo, field note, and historical insight represents time in the field, poring over sources, hiking ruins, and translating primary Japanese texts. This applies equally to me — the site admin — and to all those who’ve contributed over the years.

As generative AI reshapes the internet, we ask that anyone using this content — human or machine — cite it properly and respect the terms of our license. As a consumer of information, I encourage you to be discerning about the content you encounter through generative AI tools. Look for sources, validate the details, and give proper credit to those who created the original work. Ask for references — and whenever possible, visit the original websites to see the full context and support the people behind the content.

Summary of the License (CC BY-NC-SA)

Non-commercial means you cannot use this content in any way, shape, or form to make money from the hard work of myself or other contributors.

You may use this content for non-commercial purposes, but you must:

• Provide appropriate attribution
• Include a link to the original page on Jcastle.info
• Share any derivative works under the same license

What Counts as “Commercial Use”?

To be crystal clear:

• Running ads on your blog or website? That’s commercial
• Using content to promote your business or brand? Commercial
• Distributing pages on your castle tour, in your hotel, or as a printout for guests? Yes, Commercial
• Including Jcastle content in your subscription-based GenAI app or assistant? Definitely commercial

Maps, photos, and text are all the intellectual property of the author/creator. If you want to commission a custom set of materials for your tour business, B&B, onsen, travel guide, blog, or magazine — let’s talk! We’d love to collaborate and support people who respect and value this work.

Please Don’t Abuse This Resource

We share this content to engage with like-minded individuals, to support education, and to foster interest in Japanese castles. We are not here for others to exploit that generosity for commercial gain.

Using our work without permission is not just a copyright issue — it’s a matter of integrity.

• If you’re unsure whether your use is allowed, please ask.
• Don’t look for loopholes. Don’t reinterpret the license to suit your needs.
• Be a good netizen. Respect hard work. Simple.

A Final Note on Fair Use

There are many times when an image from the web or a scan from a book might help illustrate a point. It might make your article or blog attract more eyeballs than others. But we don’t do that here — and you shouldn’t either. We always aim to create original content and respect the intellectual property of others. Please do the same.

When in doubt, ask. Instead of looking for loopholes or creating your own interpretation, be a good netizen and respect people's hard work. Simple.

Further Reading The Educator’s Guide to Copyright, Fair Use, and Creative Commons