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While Nijo Castle (located at Horikawa and Nijo in central [[Kyoto]]) can be classified as a [[hirajiro]], it is much more of a palace than other existing Japanese castles. Shortly after his victory over the forces of the West at the [[Battle of Sekigahara]], [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] began to make preparations for the construction of a castle at Nijo in [[1601]]. Actual construction began in [[1602]] and was completed in [[1603]]. It was built on the site of [[Oda Nobunaga]]’s [[Nijo Palace]]. The castle was used as the headquarters of the Tokugawa sponsored Shoshidai (governor) of Kyoto, and also as the Shogunal residence in Kyoto. The Shoshidai was responsible for monitoring the behavior of the 33 western provinces under his control, but his real function was to enforce the Tokugawa policy of keeping the Imperial family under control and preventing them from interfering in politics.  

While Nijo Castle (located at Horikawa and Nijo in central [[Kyoto]]) can be classified as a [[hirajiro]], it is much more of a palace than other existing Japanese castles. Shortly after his victory over the forces of the West at the [[Battle of Sekigahara]], [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] began to make preparations for the construction of a castle at Nijo in [[1601]]. Actual construction began in [[1602]] and was completed in [[1603]]. It was built on the site of [[Oda Nobunaga]]’s [[Nijo Palace]]. The castle was used as the headquarters of the Tokugawa sponsored Shoshidai (governor) of Kyoto, and also as the Shogunal residence in Kyoto. The Shoshidai was responsible for monitoring the behavior of the 33 western provinces under his control, but his real function was to enforce the Tokugawa policy of keeping the Imperial family under control and preventing them from interfering in politics.  

The castle fell into disuse afterwards and saw many of its elaborate buildings and structures donated by Iemitsu to local temples, where they remain to the present day. Many of the palace buildings were damaged by an earthquake in [[1663]]. The keep was destroyed by lightning in [[1750]] (although some sources have this as [[1791]]) and the majority of the Honmaru compound buildings were lost during a major series of fires in Kyoto in [[1788]].

The castle fell into disuse afterwards and saw many of its elaborate buildings and structures donated by Iemitsu to local temples, where they remain to the present day. Many of the palace buildings were damaged by an earthquake in [[1663]]. The keep was destroyed by lightning in [[1750]] (although some sources have this as [[1791]]) and the majority of the Honmaru compound buildings were lost during a major series of fires in Kyoto in [[1788]].

Ironically, the final Tokugawa Shogun, [[Tokugawa Yoshinobu]], made the decision to transfer power back to the Emperor here. Nijo castle was given to the Imperial Household in the first year of Meiji in [[1868]]. [[Emperor Meiji]] made it the temporary seat of government and from here issued an edict abolishing the Shogunate. He transferred Nijo to the Kyoto city government in [[1871]]. The castle’s paintings and furnishings suffered significant damage during the time it was controlled by the city. Nijo was transferred back to the Imperial Household in [[1884]] and it became a detached Imperial Palace. The Imperial family sponsored much needed repairs from 1885-1886, and the majority of fittings featuring the Tokugawa family crest were replaced with the chrysanthemum crest of the Imperial family. The empty Honmaru area became the new home of the former palace of Prince Katsura in 1893-1894 (it had been originally built at the Imperial Palace in [[1847]]), and it remains there to the present day. Despite these improvements, several of the buildings on the grounds were dismantled by the Imperial Household. The castle remained as a summer home for the Imperial family and also as a locale for enthronement banquets for the early 20th century Emperors. In 1939, the castle was donated back to the city of Kyoto. 1965 saw the construction of the extensive Seiryuen Garden north of the Ninomaru palace, which is used as a reception area by city officials.

Ironically, the final Tokugawa Shogun, [[Tokugawa Yoshinobu]], made the decision to transfer power back to the Emperor here. Nijo castle was given to the Imperial Household in the first year of Meiji in [[1868]]. [[Emperor Meiji]] made it the temporary seat of government and from here issued an edict abolishing the Shogunate. He transferred Nijo to the Kyoto city government in [[1871]]. The castle’s paintings and furnishings suffered significant damage during the time it was controlled by the city. Nijo was transferred back to the Imperial Household in [[1884]] and it became a detached Imperial Palace. The Imperial family sponsored much needed repairs from 1885-1886, and the majority of fittings featuring the Tokugawa family crest were replaced with the chrysanthemum crest of the Imperial family. The empty Honmaru area became the new home of the former palace of Prince Katsura in 1893-1894 (it had been originally built at the Imperial Palace in [[1847]]), and it remains there to the present day. Despite these improvements, several of the buildings on the grounds were dismantled by the Imperial Household. The castle remained as a summer home for the Imperial family and also as a locale for enthronement banquets for the early 20th century Emperors. In 1939, the castle was donated back to the city of Kyoto. 1965 saw the construction of the extensive Seiryuen Garden north of the Ninomaru palace, which is used as a reception area by city officials.