Castle "Shiro"
Copyright © 1997-2003 Ted Taamchai
Osaka Castle,"Osaka-Jo"
In 1583, Hideyoshi Toyotomi begun building a large scale castle at the site of Osaka Ishiyama Hongan-Ji(Temple), and the result was the magnificent Osaka Castle, unpreceedented in its excellence. However, during the Summer War of 1615, some 17 years after Hideyoshi's death, Osaka Castel was completely destroyed by fire.
Following the Summer War, Tadaaki Matsudaira possessed Osaka for a time. Then shogun Hidetada Tokugawa placed Osaka under the direct control of the goverment, and he started to rebuild Osaka Castle in 1920; this construction was completed in 1629. But just 36 years later, the Main Tower(Tenshukaku) was struck by lightning and was lost in fire. Tenshukaku was not reconstructed during the Edo period.
In 1931, Tenshukaku was built made of reinforced concrete and 55 meters tall.
The Main Tower(Tenshu-Kaku) at Osaka Castle was surrounded by outer moat(Soto-Bori) and inner moat(Uchi-Bori) and many turrets.
Matsue Castle,"Matsue-Jo"
Matsue Castle is in Matue-City, Shimane. It is called "Chidori-Jo". Chidori is meant a plover.
Matsumoto Castle,"Matsumoto-Jo"
Matsumoto Castle is in Matusmoto City,Nagano. It is called "Karasu-Jo".Karasu is meant a crow or a raven.
