“One thousand kan for this position!” That’s what Oda Nobunaga’s commanders supposedly offered. They wanted to take this position before Osaka Castle was even built. Now we stand at the Remains of no. 1 turret. Let’s delve into the story.
The Remains of no. 1 turret whispers tales of a time long before the towering Osaka Castle dominated the skyline. This area was once home to the Ishiyama Hongan-ji fortress temple. Oda Nobunaga besieged this fortress for eleven long years.
Imagine the scene. Warriors clash swords ring and arrows fly. The siege dragged on and on. Oda’s commanders grew desperate. They offered a fortune. One thousand kan. That was a huge sum of money back then. It was for anyone brave enough to seize this strategic point. This very spot where the Remains of no. 1 turret now stand.
The name Sengan turret comes from this story. “Sen” means one thousand. “Kan” was a unit of currency. Sengan turret means one-thousand-kan turret. It reminds us of the fierce struggle for this land. This struggle happened long before Osaka Castle’s construction.
Osaka Castle’s story is inextricably intertwined with Japan’s journey. It has been a testament to the country’s tumultuous past for over four centuries. The powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the castle in 1583. The castle has witnessed numerous battles. It has seen reconstructions and transformations.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi sought to create a symbol of his power. He wanted a formidable military stronghold. Osaka Castle began in 1583 on the site of the former Ishiyama Hongan-ji temple. Hideyoshi’s predecessor Oda Nobunaga had destroyed this temple.
Hideyoshi’s vision for Osaka Castle was grandiose. It was designed to be the largest and most impressive castle in Japan. The main keep stood five stories tall on the outside. It contained eight internal levels. Hideyoshi spared no expense. He adorned the exterior with gold leaf and intricate ornaments. He wanted to impress visitors. He also wanted to intimidate enemies.
The castle’s defenses were equally impressive. Massive stone walls surrounded the complex. Some walls reached heights of up to 20 meters. These walls used a technique called burdock piling. This involved interlocking massive granite boulders without mortar.
By 1585 the inner donjon was completed. Hideyoshi continued to expand and fortify the castle. He did this over the next decade. In 1597 the castle was finally completed. It stood as a testament to Hideyoshi’s power and ambition.
The Remains of no. 1 turret remind us of the battles fought. These battles were fought for control of this land. This was even before Osaka Castle rose to prominence. The turret may be gone. But its story lives on. It echoes in the stones beneath our feet. A story of ambition, conflict and a fortune offered for victory.