百度石 Stone

Carved from Bizen granite, the Taiko-ishi, or Octopus Stone, at Osaka Castle whispers tales of centuries past. Here, near the Sakura Gate, this megalith stands as a silent sentinel. The Hyakudoishi, or Octopus Stone, dominates the landscape with its immense size. It measures 5.5 by 11.7 meters and weighs over 120 tons. Imagine the effort required to transport this behemoth over 100 kilometers from Bizen, present-day Okayama Prefecture. Tadao Ikeda, the daimyo overseeing Osaka Castle’s reconstruction in 1624, commissioned this herculean task. The Octopus Stone and its companions form a formidable wall around the innermost bailey. These stones once supported wooden galleries. From these vantage points, defenders could survey Sakura Gate and protect the castle’s heart. Sadly, these galleries perished in flames during the Meiji Restoration in 1868. But the Hyakudoishi, the Octopus Stone, endured. Look closely at the lower left corner. Do you see the mottled pattern resembling the shape of an octopus? This distinctive mark gives the stone its unusual name. The Taiko-ishi, the Drum Rock, the Octopus Stone. This single massive rock embodies strength, resilience, and a connection to a turbulent past. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity and power of those who shaped Osaka Castle’s destiny.