Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple Toyotomi Period Reconstruction by the Tokugawa Shogunate Edo Period Showa Heisei





    Osaka Castle in the Edo Period

    The period of 240 years from the reconstruction of Osaka Castle to the closing days of the Tokugawa Shogunate was a time of peace. There stood no Main Tower of Osaka Castle for the greater part of this period.
    Osaka Castle which received no visits from feudal lords

    The feudal lord of Osaka Castle was the Tokugawa Shoguns of successive generations. However, no Shogun visited Osaka Castle for 230 years with the exception of the visit of the third Shogun Iemitsu. Ministers who were stationed at the Castle were responsible for the management of the Castle during peaceful times.
    Nishikie (multi-colored woodblock print)Illustration of freight boats setting off on the river

    Commercial city of Osaka, bustling with incoming and outgoing vessels from the port where shipping agents     stand in a row


    Nishikie (multi-colored woodblock print)

    New Year's First Sale of the Shops standing along Shinsaibashi street     		　 Nishikie (multi-colored woodblock print) Caricature

    Scenic Spots in Osaka--Dotonbori street
    Struck by lightening three time

    In 1660, lightening struck an explosives warehouse at Aoyaguchi in the Castle, resulting in a large explosion of the warehouse. In 1665, a thunderbolt hit the shachi (roof tile in the shape of a mythical ocean fish),north of the Main Tower, resulting in the burning down of the Main Tower.
    Consequently, the castle was destroyed only 39 years after its reconstructtion and was left as it was until later reconstruction in 1931. In 1783, Tamon turret of Otemon, which was the main gate of the Castle, was also destroyed by lightening. The majestic appearance of Osaka Castle was badly damaged.     		　



    "Kinjo Bunkenroku" (Record on Osaka Castle)

    Foundation of the Main Tower of Osaka Castle after the Tower was burnt to the ground


    Turrets east of Honmaru (Inner Bailey) of Osaka Castle
    (wet plate photography in the late Edo period)



    Present-day View seen from the same location
    		 　 Large-Scale Renovation

    In 1843, to raise funds for the renovation of the damaged structures, the Tokugawa government obliged the people of Osaka, Nishinomiya, Sakai and other cities to make contributions, and collected 1,550,000 ryo of money. The renovation of the buildings of the entire castle including Tamon turret of Otemon, with the exception of the Main Tower, was conducted with the raised funds.



    Portrait of Heihachiro Oshio

    In 1837, Heihachiro Oshio and his pupils rose in revolt in the city of Osaka.
    To suppress the revolt, the soldiers stationed at the Castle were mobilized,and Osaka Castle functioned as military base for the first time.

    Last Shogun Yoshinobu Tokugawa and Fall of Osaka Castle

    Yoshinobu Tokugawa stayed in Kyoto and Osaka as the 15th Shogun for more than one year, until the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Osaka Castle was used for the meetings with representatives from foreign countries by the Shogun. In 1868, when the Tokugawa Forces were defeated in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, Yoshinobu escaped from Osaka Castle and fled to Edo (Tokyo).
    The greater part of the castle structures were burnt to the ground during the confusion.


    Shown here is Osaka Castle on fire and the New Government Army drawing near the castle    		 Nishikie (multi-colored woodblock print)

    Illustration of the Fall of Osaka Castle and the New Government Army


    Sujigane-mon Gate at Kyobashi-guchi in the Meiji Period
    The gate has nameplates "Osaka Arsenal" and "Headquarters of the Second Division of Artillery".    		 　 Osaka Castle after the Meiji Period

    After the Meiji period, the precincts of Osaka Castle was improved as a park for the Army. The turrets, castle gates, gunpowder storehouse, treasure house, and other buildings which escaped from a major fire in the battles of late Edo period were put to practical use. The military facilities were built in the Honmaru (Inner Bailey), and citizens and tourists were forbidden to enter the precincts.