This week we’re headed to Osaka city, located in Osaka Prefecture of the Kansai region in Japan.
Osaka Castle
The castle is located in Osaka Castle Park, a massive (about 260 acres) cultural center and green space in the middle of the city. Construction started in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi with plans of the castle being a symbol of a newly unified Japan under his feudal rule. However, upon his death the castle was attacked and destroyed in 1615 for new Tokugawa shogunate that brought in the Edo period of Japan. It was rebuilt in the 1620, only to be struck by lightening and burnt down in 1665.
The castle was reconstructed in 1931, though suffered some damage during World War II. The main structure has been modernized to serve as a museum about the castle’s history. Today its exterior resembles what it looked like during the Edo period of Japan (1603-1868.) The castle is five stories built for defense. The structure sits on a tall foundation of smoothed stones that are difficult to climb during an attack – that is, if you are even able to get across the large moat first. Osaka Castle is an excellent example of Japan’s castle architecture and a popular tourist spot as a result.
The video below not only includes great views of the castle, but also of the surrounding park. You can learn more about Osaka Castle on its official website.
Recommended Reading
Want to read more about Japan, be it during the country’s medieval time, the Edo period, or modern day? Below are a few places to start within The Library’s collection. You can search for these items and place a hold at dcls.org!
Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh
The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has long known her place. She may be an accomplished alchemist, whose cunning rivals that of her twin brother Kenshin, but because she is not a boy, her future has always been out of her hands.
Chronin, Volume 1 by Alison Wilgus
Her name is Mirai Yoshida. She was not born in Japan. She is not supposed to be in 1864. ut, through a time-travel mishap, Mirai is stuck with no way out. Help may be found when she befriends Hatsu, a humble tea mistress harboring a dangerous secret. Yet time is running short for the entire nation, because Mirai knows that the shogunate is about to fall. Learning the way of the sword might be her only path towards survival.
Tokyo Travel Sketchbook: Kawaii Culture, Wabi Sabi Design, Female Samularis and Other Obsessions by Amaia Arrazola
This book provides readers with a unique vision of Japan’s capital, as seen through the eyes of an artist. Arrazola immerses herself in the cult of Hello Kitty and the pop-eyed charms of “Kawaii” cute culture, while conveying the collision of traditional and modern Japanese culture in the female Samurais she meets and draws.
That’s all for our tour of Osaka Castle! Check back next week to see which castle we explore next.
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