>>64171368
But even castles used mixed wood-and-masonry construction, so cost wasn't the only issue. And when historic buildings do get damaged by earthquakes, it's typically the masonry part that comes out the worst.

>>64171378
>great kanto earthquake
That's very much an outlier event to the point that a century later the Japanese hold earthquake drills on its anniversary. Anything becomes a deathtrap if you subject it to enough force.