Was it truly abandoned? The story of Tenshudai unfolds before us. It is more than just a base. It is a silent testament to a pivotal moment in Japan’s history.
This is Tenshudai. It marks the location of what was meant to be the tallest castle keep ever built in Japan. The story starts after the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657. The fire destroyed the third tower on this very site.
Tokugawa Ietsuna was the fourth shogun. He immediately initiated the construction of a replacement. By 1658, the foundation was complete. This foundation is what we see today at Tenshudai.
Interestingly, the keep itself was never built. Ietsuna’s uncle suggested that a peaceful Japan had no need for such an imposing structure. The project was stopped. This decision shaped the history of Edo Castle and perhaps Japan itself.
Tenshudai has two rectangles that form the foundation. The larger rectangle was intended for the tower. It measures 46 metres from north to south and 42 metres from east to west. It stands 10 metres tall. The smaller rectangle was for the entrance slope.
Imagine the scale of the tower that was planned. It would have been a symbol of power and authority. Yet, wisdom prevailed. The focus shifted to stability over grandiose displays.
The decision to abandon the keep reflects a change in the shogunate’s priorities. The Tokugawa shogunate chose peace. They chose internal development over military might.
Some people think about what could have been if the keep had been built. It would have changed the skyline of Edo. It would have been a lasting symbol of the Tokugawa shogunate’s power.
Tenshudai reminds us that sometimes the most significant actions are those not taken. This unbuilt tower speaks volumes about Japan’s transition to an era of sustained peace. It is a symbol of restraint. It is a symbol of a new direction.
Tenshudai is also known as the Base of Edo Castle Keep. It is a place where you can reflect on the choices that shape history. Consider how different Tokyo might look. Consider how different Japan might be if that tower had been built.
The area around Tenshudai also holds other secrets. Edo Castle was the largest castle in Japan. Its outer moats stretched nearly 16 kilometers. The castle became the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns for fifteen generations. They ruled for 265 years until 1868.
After the Meiji Restoration, the castle grounds became the Imperial Palace. However, not all areas are the same as in the Edo period. Today, the Imperial Palace stands as a reminder of both the shogunate’s power and the imperial family’s enduring presence.
So as you stand here at Tenshudai, consider the past and the present. Think about the tower that never was. Also think about the peace that it represents. This is the story of Tenshudai. It is a story of power and peace. It is also a story of what might have been.