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





    Osaka Castle built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1583-1615)

    Hideyoshi Toyotomi built a large-scale impregnable castle as the symbol of his authority and power. The Osaka Castle served as the stronghold of Hideyoshi's campaigns in a bid to unite the entire nation. The majestic castle was referred to as "unprecedented in its excellence".
    The Main Tower glittering with gold

    The Main Tower glittering with gold
    		Hideyoshi began building Osaka Castle at the site of the former Hongan-ji Temple in 1583. Hideyoshi, who called himself successor to Nobunaga Oda, built Osaka Castle by modeling it after Azuchi Castle, Nobunaga's castle.
    However, he attempted to build the castle while exceeding Azuchi's castle in every respect. The Main Tower built by Hideyoshi was of five external stories and eight floors within. Gold-leaf was applied to the ornaments of all structures, including the     shachi-gawara (roof tile in the form of a mythical ocean fish) and ornamental roof tiles. Hideyoshi flaunted his unprecedented wealth, and visitors to the castle were surprised to see the interior of the innermost palace which was embellished with gold and silver,and which had treasures piled up on all floors of the Main Tower.
    Scale of Osaka Castle

    The Osaka Castle built by Hideyoshi, which took about one and a half years to complete the Honmaru (Inner Bailey), grew into an unprecedentedly large and impregnable castle of distinction by gradually expanding its structures,extending for 15 years in Hideyoshi's lifetime. At the same time, a castle town was constructed. Osaka in Hideyoshi's period became a model of the castle town in the Modern Age. The castle town of Osaka was a capital city of an extensive territory consisting of a castle and feudal lords' mansions and was a center of politics, economy, culture, and the military.

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    Model of Presumptive Reproduction of the Honmaru (Inner Bailey) of Osaka Castle in the Toyotomi Period

    The Honmaru of Osaka Castle built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi was different from the exisitng castle reconstructed by the Tokugawa Shogunate in layout of the moats and the location of the Main Tower. The Toyotomi-period Osaka Castle was surrounded by two to three-folded stone walls bearing solid and complicated designs.

    ●The Winter Siege of Osaka

    In 1603, Ieyasu Tokugawa who increased in power after Hideyoshi's death,established the Shogunate in Edo (Tokyo) and held ruling power. However, there remained a tense relationship between the Toyotomi family and the Tokugawas even after the Tokugawa Shogunate was founded. In 1614, Ieyasu Tokugawa accused Hideyori Toyotomi falsely, which triggered off the Winter Siege of Osaka. For about one month, the Toyotomi Forces, consisting of about 100,000 soldiers, held Osaka Castle and defended the castle from the attack of the Tokugawa Forces, consisting of 200,000 soldiers. But the Tokugwa Forces did not succeed in capturing the sogamae (outer citadel). After concluding peace, however, the outer moats of Osaka Castle were filled up and the castle became defenseless, in which the only Honmaru (Inner Bailey) remained.



    Folding Screen illustrating the Winter Siege of Osaka (section)

    Shown here is a defensive battle at sogamae (outer citadel).     		　

    Rubbing of the Inscription on the Great Bell of Hoko-ji Temple (section)

    Hideyori Toyotomi reconstructed Hoko-ji temple, where a great bell bearing the inscription was also made. Ieyasu Tokugawa took the opportunity to find fault with the Toyotomis, which led the outbreak of the Winter Siege of Osaka.

    The Summer War of Osaka

    The Toyotomi family began restoration of Osaka Castle by digging up the outer moats which had been filled up after the family had concluded peace with the Tokugawa family in the Winter Siege of Osaka. The Tokugawas, however, regarded the work as rearmament, which triggered off the Summer War of Osaka.
    It was five months after the end of the Winter Siege. The Toyotomi Forces struck the Tokugawas first outside the castle, but they had to retreat to Osaka Castle which was almost defenseless. As a result of the War, the city was in utter confusion. Osaka Castle finally fell and the Toyotomi family was ruined.



    Folding Screen illustrating the Summer War of Osaka--Section of Tenmabashi Bridge

    Shown here is a scene in which suffering people are attempting to escape from Osaka Castle.     		　

    Folding Screen illustrating the Summer War of Osaka--Section of Ieyasu Tokugawa's Headquarters.

    Illustrated is Ieyasu Tokugawa on horseback who gives orders to     denrei (messenger in the army)