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The Toyotomi version of Osaka-jo had an eight story tenshu that stood 102 feet tall on a 75 foot stone base. There were 124 other corner towers around the complex. The circumference of the grounds measured 8 miles and in area about 185 acres. The huge moats were anywhere from 80 to 120 yards wide and were up to 36 feet deep.  

The Toyotomi version of Osaka-jo had an eight story tenshu that stood 102 feet tall on a 75 foot stone base. There were 124 other corner towers around the complex. The circumference of the grounds measured 8 miles and in area about 185 acres. The huge moats were anywhere from 80 to 120 yards wide and were up to 36 feet deep.  

Hideyoshi gave the castle to his son [[Toyotomi Hideyori]] and retired to [[Fushimi Castle]]. After Hideyoshi passed away in [[1598]], his erstwhile vassal Ieyasu began to put his plans in motion to gain control of the nation. Ieyasu defeated the forces of the West led by [[Ishida Mitsunari]] at the [[Battle of Sekigahara]] in [[1600]]. However, while the Western forces were comprised of many Toyotomi loyalists, Hideyori and his mother [[Yodo]] did not involve themselves directly in the fighting. While Ieyasu was later declared [[Shogun]] (and in turn his son [[Tokugawa Hidetada]]), he realized that as long as the Toyotomi existed they were a threat to his power. Seizing upon an excuse provided by an inscription upon a bell that had been sponsored by the Toyotomi (Ieyasu stated that it was meant as an insult to the Tokugawa), Ieyasu gathered together an army of up to 194,000 men and set out to conquer Hideyori and his army of about 100,000 ensconced in Osaka Castle. Thus began the [[1614]] [[Osaka Winter Campaign|Winter Campaign of Osaka]].  

Hideyoshi gave the castle to his son [[Toyotomi Hideyori]] and retired to [[Fushimi Castle]]. After Hideyoshi passed away in [[1598]], his erstwhile vassal Ieyasu began to put his plans in motion to gain control of the nation. Ieyasu defeated the forces of the West led by [[Ishida Mitsunari]] at the [[Battle of Sekigahara]] in [[1600]]. However, while the Western forces were comprised of many Toyotomi loyalists, Hideyori and his mother [[Yodo-gimi]] did not involve themselves directly in the fighting. While Ieyasu was later declared [[Shogun]] (and in turn his son [[Tokugawa Hidetada]]), he realized that as long as the Toyotomi existed they were a threat to his power. Seizing upon an excuse provided by an inscription upon a bell that had been sponsored by the Toyotomi (Ieyasu stated that it was meant as an insult to the Tokugawa), Ieyasu gathered together an army of up to 194,000 men and set out to conquer Hideyori and his army of about 100,000 ensconced in Osaka Castle. Thus began the [[1614]] [[Osaka Winter Campaign|Winter Campaign of Osaka]].  

The castle was in an enviable natural position, being surrounded on three sides by water (the Nekomagawa and Hiranogawa to the east, the Yamatogawa and Yodogawa to the north, and the Ikutama canal and Osaka Bay to the west). To further fortify the castle, additional defenses were added around the northwest, southwest, and southeast gatehouses. A large ditch crowned by palisades was dug between the easiest avenue of approach from the south (between the Nekomagawa and Ikutama canal). A further fortification was built out from this line and became known as the Sanada-maru after the commander of the troops occupying it, [[Sanada Yukimura]]. Actions during the Winter Campaign primarily revolved upon the reduction of the forts surrounding Osaka-jo such as the Nakajima area to the north, Kizugawaguchi to the southwest, Shigino and Imafuku forts to the northeast, Bakuroguchi to the west (aided by the fact that the commander, Susukida Kanesuke, was drunk in a brothel at the time of the assault), and Noda-Fukushima to the northwest. After failed attempts at storming the defences at the Sanada-maru, the Hachomeguchi and the Tanimachiguchi, Ieyasu decided to let his superior artillery and diplomacy carry the day. The range of his western cannon (bought from the British East India Company and Dutch traders, along with one large gun cast by Shibatsuji Ryuemon Sukenobu) allowed him to shell the Osaka tenshu with impunity-Hideyori’s cannons lacked the range to fire back. The bombardment provoked a successful raid by Hideyori’s forces at Honmachi-bashi, but otherwise proved very effective at driving the Toyotomi to the bargaining table (in particular by terrifying Yodo). In early [[1615]], peace of a sort was made as Hideyori was allowed to retain control of the castle after promising to not rebel again. The [[ronin]] defending the castle were disbanded and sent on their way. Ieyasu’s main army marched away, and all seemed well, but…

The castle was in an enviable natural position, being surrounded on three sides by water (the Nekomagawa and Hiranogawa to the east, the Yamatogawa and Yodogawa to the north, and the Ikutama canal and Osaka Bay to the west). To further fortify the castle, additional defenses were added around the northwest, southwest, and southeast gatehouses. A large ditch crowned by palisades was dug between the easiest avenue of approach from the south (between the Nekomagawa and Ikutama canal). A further fortification was built out from this line and became known as the Sanada-maru after the commander of the troops occupying it, [[Sanada Yukimura]]. Actions during the Winter Campaign primarily revolved upon the reduction of the forts surrounding Osaka-jo such as the Nakajima area to the north, Kizugawaguchi to the southwest, Shigino and Imafuku forts to the northeast, Bakuroguchi to the west (aided by the fact that the commander, Susukida Kanesuke, was drunk in a brothel at the time of the assault), and Noda-Fukushima to the northwest. After failed attempts at storming the defences at the Sanada-maru, the Hachomeguchi and the Tanimachiguchi, Ieyasu decided to let his superior artillery and diplomacy carry the day. The range of his western cannon (bought from the British East India Company and Dutch traders, along with one large gun cast by Shibatsuji Ryuemon Sukenobu) allowed him to shell the Osaka tenshu with impunity-Hideyori’s cannons lacked the range to fire back. The bombardment provoked a successful raid by Hideyori’s forces at Honmachi-bashi, but otherwise proved very effective at driving the Toyotomi to the bargaining table (in particular by terrifying Yodo). In early [[1615]], peace of a sort was made as Hideyori was allowed to retain control of the castle after promising to not rebel again. The [[ronin]] defending the castle were disbanded and sent on their way. Ieyasu’s main army marched away, and all seemed well, but…

The castle became the headquarters of the ''[[Osaka jodai|Osaka jôdai]]'', the shogunate's chief administrator over the city and the immediate surrounding region. Four ''daimyô'' of the surrounding areas were assigned to oversee the castle's guard duty, rotating every eight months.<ref>Arai Hakuseki, Joyce Ackroyd (trans.), ''Told Round a Brushwood Fire'', University of Tokyo Press (1979), 280n16.</ref>

The castle became the headquarters of the ''[[Osaka jodai|Osaka jôdai]]'', the shogunate's chief administrator over the city and the immediate surrounding region. Four ''daimyô'' of the surrounding areas were assigned to oversee the castle's guard duty, rotating every eight months.<ref>Arai Hakuseki, Joyce Ackroyd (trans.), ''Told Round a Brushwood Fire'', University of Tokyo Press (1979), 280n16.</ref>

The Toyotomi stone walls were covered with soil and new walls were built on top of them. The tenshu was moved eastwards and was now only five stories. Construction began on the tenshu in [[1628]] and was finished in [[1630]]. In [[1665]], the tenshu was struck by lightning and burned to its foundation. As peace had reigned for many years and the castle fallen into disuse, it was not rebuilt. Many years passed, and the castle became the seat of the local government. In [[1837]] troops stationed there were used to quell a rebellion led by Oshio Heihachiro. The castle was also used to receive foreign diplomats in the 1850’s and 1860’s.

The Toyotomi stone walls were covered with soil and new walls were built on top of them. The tenshu was moved eastwards and was now only five stories. Construction began on the tenshu in [[1628]] and was finished in [[1630]]. In [[1665]], the tenshu was struck by lightning and burned to its foundation. As peace had reigned for many years and the castle fallen into disuse, it was not rebuilt. Many years passed, and the castle became the seat of the local government. In [[1837]] troops stationed there were used to quell a rebellion led by [[Oshio Heihachiro|Ôshio Heihachirô]]. The castle was also used to receive foreign diplomats in the 1850’s and 1860’s.

==Bakumatsu through Today==

==Bakumatsu through Today==

During the [[Battle Of Toba-Fushimi]] in [[1868]], Shogunal troops burned many of the castle’s buildings while retreating from Imperial forces. A new tenshu (built of ferro-concrete) was raised in 1931 by the city of Osaka. The castle was used to house troops during World War II, but suffered extensive damage from Allied bombers, losing four more turrets. The castle tenshu received an extensive makeover in the late 1990’s which brought it to its current state.

During the [[Battle Of Toba-Fushimi]] in [[1868]], Shogunal troops burned many of the castle’s buildings while retreating from Imperial forces. A new tenshu (built of ferro-concrete) was raised in 1931 by the city of Osaka. The castle was used to house troops during World War II, but suffered extensive damage from Allied bombers, losing four more turrets. The castle tenshu received an extensive makeover in the late 1990’s which brought it to its current state.

Osaka Castle today is one of the most accessible and interesting castles in Japan. None of the Toyotomi structures or walls remains visible, and only four of the original Tokugawa turrets remain. There are several later Edo Period buildings there as well, including the Ote Yagura Mon, the gunpowder storehouse, and the treasure storehouse. The massive fitted stone walls and moats remain to attest to the might of the structure. The tenshu purports to be a recreation of the Toyotomi keep, but as it was built on the Tokugawa foundation stones, the dimensions are quite different. In addition, the Toyotomi keep was black and the current structure is white with green roof tiles. There’s also that darn elevator attached to the outside of the building! Other highlights on the grounds include the massive stones donated by daimyo to demonstrate their wealth and power. These include the Higo Ishi (48 feet long and 19 feet high), the Tako Ishi (19 feet high and 37 feet long), and the Furisode Ishi. In a recent excavation, these stones were found to be not as massive as they seem, as they are only about two feet thick.  

Osaka Castle today is one of the most accessible and interesting castles in Japan. None of the Toyotomi structures or walls remains visible, and only four of the original Tokugawa turrets remain. There are several later Edo Period buildings there as well, including the Ote Yagura Mon, the [[gunpowder]] storehouse, and the treasure storehouse. The massive fitted stone walls and moats remain to attest to the might of the structure. The tenshu purports to be a recreation of the Toyotomi keep, but as it was built on the Tokugawa foundation stones, the dimensions are quite different. In addition, the Toyotomi keep was black and the current structure is white with green roof tiles. There’s also that darn elevator attached to the outside of the building! Other highlights on the grounds include the massive stones donated by daimyo to demonstrate their wealth and power. These include the Higo Ishi (48 feet long and 19 feet high), the Tako Ishi (19 feet high and 37 feet long), and the Furisode Ishi. In a recent excavation, these stones were found to be not as massive as they seem, as they are only about two feet thick.  

The tenshu has 8 floors and one can spend an entire afternoon enjoying it. There are films shown continuously in several languages on the history of the castle, recreations of Hideyoshi’s golden tea house, an entire floor devoted to the history of the Winter and Summer campaigns, a audio-visual series of presentations using holograms of actors and models that gives the life story of Hideyoshi, and the expected gift shop at the top (along with great views of Osaka). The real gem is the museum of historical artifacts. While the items on display rotate, they have an unrivaled collection of painted battle screens, armor, swords, firearms, and letters written by many famous daimyo.  

The tenshu has 8 floors and one can spend an entire afternoon enjoying it. There are films shown continuously in several languages on the history of the castle, recreations of Hideyoshi’s golden tea house, an entire floor devoted to the history of the Winter and Summer campaigns, a audio-visual series of presentations using holograms of actors and models that gives the life story of Hideyoshi, and the expected gift shop at the top (along with great views of Osaka). The real gem is the museum of historical artifacts. While the items on display rotate, they have an unrivaled collection of painted battle screens, armor, swords, firearms, and letters written by many famous daimyo.