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[[Image:Osakacastle.jpg|right|thumb|Osaka castle]]

[[Image:Osakacastle.jpg|right|thumb|Osaka castle]]

The site of Osaka Castle, located on the Yodogawa delta in present day Higashi Ward of Osaka City, had a long history of illustrious tenets before the castle was built. [[Emperor Ojin|Emperor Ôjin]] and [[Emperor Nintoku]] are said to have built their palaces there, and the Buddhist priest Rennyo built the [[Jodo Shinshu]] temple of [[Ishiyama Hongan-ji]] on the site in [[1496]]. The site was increasingly fortified by the [[Ikko-ikki]] adherents of Jodo Shinshu. The fortified temple complex eventually came under attack from the warlord [[Oda Nobunaga]]. Oda began a systematic siege of the temple that lasted off and on for ten years. He cut the fortress off from outside naval aide and also succeeded in reducing the number of satellite temples that Ishiyama drew support from. Finally, after conquering three of the five interconnected strongholds during a campaign that began in [[1577]], Nobunaga (with the intercession of the Emperor) forced its surrender in [[1580]]. The surrender was no doubt hastened by his tactic of floating junks past the fortress walls filled with the ears and noses of attempted escapees.

The site of Osaka Castle, located on the Yodogawa delta in present day Higashi Ward of Osaka City, had a long history of illustrious tenets before the castle was built. [[Emperor Ojin|Emperor Ôjin]] and [[Emperor Nintoku]] are said to have built their palaces there, and the Buddhist priest Rennyo built the [[Jodo Shinshu]] temple of [[Ishiyama Hongan-ji]] on the site in [[1496]]. The site was increasingly fortified by the [[Ikko-ikki]] adherents of Jodo Shinshu. The fortified temple complex eventually came under attack from the warlord [[Oda Nobunaga]]. Oda began a systematic siege of the temple that lasted off and on for ten years. He cut the fortress off from outside naval aide and also succeeded in reducing the number of satellite temples that Ishiyama drew support from. Finally, after conquering three of the five interconnected strongholds during a campaign that began in [[1577]], Nobunaga (with the intercession of the Emperor) forced its surrender in [[1580]]. The surrender was no doubt hastened by his tactic of floating junks past the fortress walls filled with the ears and noses of attempted escapees.

Later that summer, Ieyasu began to reassemble his army. Hideyori began to gather ronin again and attempted to clear the outer moat. Ieyasu used this as his newest excuse to once again march on Osaka Castle. For the [[1615]] [[Summer Campaign Of Osaka]] his army numbered about 160,000 and the Toyotomi forces between 60,000-120,000 (troop estimates vary wildly due to an unknown number of ronin). Recognizing the weakened state of the castle, the Toyotomi defenders decided their best bet was a preemptive strike against the Tokugawa forces that would keep them from reaching the castle. Unfortunately, the strikes at Koriyama-jo to the east and Kashii to the south proved to be failures. A last ditch effort at delaying the Tokugawa forces resulted in devastating losses to the Toyotomi at Domyo-ji, Yao, Wakae, and Yoshida. The following day, Hideyori’s remaining forces gathered on the plain of Tenno-ji to the south of the castle for one last battle. Despite initial success, the superior numbers of the Tokugawa began to tell and when the heroic Sanada Yukimura was slain, the Toyotomi began to crumble. By nightfall, the Tokugawa forces had occupied the castle grounds and Hideyori was barricaded in the tenshu. After his efforts at making peace with Ieyasu failed, Hideyori and his mother retired to Yamazato Kuruwa behind the tenshu and commited [[seppuku]]. All of the castle’s structures were destroyed and the mighty edifice of the Toyotomi was no more.  

Later that summer, Ieyasu began to reassemble his army. Hideyori began to gather ronin again and attempted to clear the outer moat. Ieyasu used this as his newest excuse to once again march on Osaka Castle. For the [[1615]] [[Summer Campaign Of Osaka]] his army numbered about 160,000 and the Toyotomi forces between 60,000-120,000 (troop estimates vary wildly due to an unknown number of ronin). Recognizing the weakened state of the castle, the Toyotomi defenders decided their best bet was a preemptive strike against the Tokugawa forces that would keep them from reaching the castle. Unfortunately, the strikes at Koriyama-jo to the east and Kashii to the south proved to be failures. A last ditch effort at delaying the Tokugawa forces resulted in devastating losses to the Toyotomi at Domyo-ji, Yao, Wakae, and Yoshida. The following day, Hideyori’s remaining forces gathered on the plain of Tenno-ji to the south of the castle for one last battle. Despite initial success, the superior numbers of the Tokugawa began to tell and when the heroic Sanada Yukimura was slain, the Toyotomi began to crumble. By nightfall, the Tokugawa forces had occupied the castle grounds and Hideyori was barricaded in the tenshu. After his efforts at making peace with Ieyasu failed, Hideyori and his mother retired to Yamazato Kuruwa behind the tenshu and commited [[seppuku]]. All of the castle’s structures were destroyed and the mighty edifice of the Toyotomi was no more.  

The castle grounds were given to Matsudaira Tadaaki, but in [[1619]] the Tokugawa family took over direct control. A massive rebuilding project was started in [[1620]] and lasted for 10 years. It was designed as a symbolic gesture-to show the supremacy of the Tokugawa over the Toyotomi-but mainly it served to empty the coffers of the daimyo that were assigned to the work and keep them from trying to finance further rebellion. Under the supervision of [[Todo Takatora]], the Tokugawa version of Osaka Castle was to become the second most elaborate and extensive fortification in Japan, trailing only the seat of power at [[Edo Castle]]. 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. 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.

The castle grounds were given to Matsudaira Tadaaki, but in [[1619]] the Tokugawa family took over direct control. A massive rebuilding project was started in [[1620]] and lasted for 10 years. It was designed as a symbolic gesture-to show the supremacy of the Tokugawa over the Toyotomi-but mainly it served to empty the coffers of the daimyo that were assigned to the work and keep them from trying to finance further rebellion. Under the supervision of [[Todo Takatora]], the Tokugawa version of Osaka Castle was to become the second most elaborate and extensive fortification in Japan, trailing only the seat of power at [[Edo Castle]].  

 

 

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.

 

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.  

==References==

==References==

*Kodama Kota & Tsuboi Kiyotari, editors ''Nihon Joukaku Taikei''-20 Volumes Tokyo:Shinjimbutsu oraisha, 1981

*Kodama Kota & Tsuboi Kiyotari, editors ''Nihon Joukaku Taikei''-20 Volumes Tokyo:Shinjimbutsu oraisha, 1981

*Hinago Motoo ''Nihon No Bijutsu #54:Shiro'' Tokyo:Shibundo, 1970

*Hinago Motoo ''Nihon No Bijutsu #54:Shiro'' Tokyo:Shibundo, 1970

[[Category:Castles]]

[[Category:Castles]]