Azuchi Castle, inspired by the design of Komakiyama Oda Nobunaga’s initial fortress, boasted a distinctive feature that defied conventional defensive tactics: a grand, wide stone-lined Otemichi stairway leading directly to the base of the central Honmaru enclosure. This seemingly inviting approach, devoid of the usual winding paths meant to impede attackers, hinted at Nobunaga’s confidence, almost daring any potential adversary to challenge him.
Despite its appearance, the main stairway posed significant challenges for assailants. Its steep incline and unusually high steps made ascent arduous, especially for individuals of the Sengoku period’s average height, laden with heavy armor and weaponry, amidst defending forces raining fire from walls and yagura positioned along the steps. Flanking this ascent were the residences of Nobunaga’s most trusted retainers, each accompanied by elite samurai guards, further bolstering Azuchi’s defenses.
Atop the castle stood a magnificent tower keep, soaring seven stories high and reputedly the world’s largest wooden structure at the time. Its imposing exterior, adorned with white plaster and black lacquered panels, culminated in a roof tiled with gold-plated kawara tiles. Symbolically, the tower’s design blended elements of heaven, Taoism, and Confucianism, embodying Nobunaga’s grandeur and philosophical influences.
Internally, Azuchi Castle resembled European churches, with vaulted ceilings soaring up to 20 meters through the central structure. Nobunaga’s architectural vision, possibly influenced by visiting missionaries or colossal Buddhist temples, resulted in a unique, opulent edifice supported by formidable stone walls. Within its confines, Nobunaga resided in lavish quarters, including a Noh stage and a tea room adorned entirely in gold leaf.
Legend has it that during the castle’s construction, Nobunaga ingeniously overcame stone supply shortages by compelling samurai to contribute stones, including his father’s gravestone, integrated into the fortress walls. Okabe Matazaemon and his team of carpenters then erected the towering structure, completing the project in under three and a half years.
Azuchi Castle quickly became a national spectacle, particularly during summer evenings when lanterns illuminated its towering presence, captivating the populace. Nobunaga’s ambition to unify Japan under his rule seemed within reach until tragedy struck in June 1582. A treacherous betrayal by General Akechi Mitsuhide led to Nobunaga’s demise at Honno-ji Temple in Kyoto, followed by Azuchi’s destruction at the hands of Akechi’s forces.
Though rumors abound regarding the castle’s fiery end, Azuchi’s legacy lives on through its extensive stone walls, a testament to Nobunaga’s towering ambitions. Models of the castle can be viewed at the Nobunaga no Yakata Museum in Azuchi or experienced firsthand at the life-sized replica in Mie Prefecture’s Ise Sengoku Mura theme park.
See also
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Yoshida Castle
Yoshida Castle is renowned worldwide, particularly through the intricate woodblock prints by Edo Period artist Hiroshige. His famous series, depicting the 53 stages of the Tokaido—the historic route between Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo)—includes the 34th print, which shows workmen repairing a castle overlooking a wooden bridge crossing a wide river. This scene captures the Toyokawa River at Toyohashi in southeast Aichi Prefecture, and the castle is Yoshida Castle.
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Yamato Koriyama Castle
The impressive ruins of Koriyama Castle sit atop a small hill, surrounded by two rivers. The strategic positioning and strong layout of the castle served it well through the final years of the Sengoku period and the peaceful days of the Edo period.
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Yamanaka Castle
Yamanaka Castle, established by Hojo Ujiyasu in the 1560s, is located in what is now eastern Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. This castle served as the first line of western defense for the main Hojo Castle at Odawara. Carved into the side of a 586-meter-high mountain, Yamanaka Castle was strategically positioned along the Tokaido Highway, offering superb views of nearby Mt. Fuji, the ocean, and the road leading to Odawara.
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Uwajima Castle
Uwajima Castle, located in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, is one of the 12 remaining Japanese castles with an original keep. Known for its small size, Uwajima Castle is relatively difficult to access, which means it is less frequented by tourists.
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Ueda Castle
Ueda Castle in Nagano Prefecture once stood prominently on a cliff overlooking the Saigawa River. Also known as Amagafuchi-Jo, Isesaki-Jo, Matsuo-Jo, and Sanada-Jo, it was built around 1583 by its first master, Sanada Masayuki. This sturdy yet small fortress cleverly utilized the surrounding natural defenses, including the river, steep rocky cliffs, the layout of the town below, and the strategically designed waterways to hinder attackers. Ueda Castle was fortified with seven defensive yagura (watchtowers) atop robust stone walls and had two large gates with watchtowers above them.
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Tsuyama Castle
Tsuyama Castle, located in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, is celebrated as one of Japan's top three major hilltop (Hirayama) castles, alongside Himeji and Matsuyama Castles. Originally, Tsuyama Castle comprised 77 structures, including the main keep, various yagura (watchtowers), gates, palaces, and living quarters. For comparison, Hiroshima Castle had 76 structures, and Himeji had 61. The first castle on this site was built in 1441 but was soon abandoned. The large-scale construction that we recognize today began in 1603 under the orders of Mori Tadamasa. The castle served as the administrative base for the Tsuyama Han daimyo, the Mori clan from 1603 to 1697, and the Matsudaira clan from 1698 to 1871.
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Tsu Castle
Tsu Castle, located in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, was originally built by Hosono Fujiatsu in 1558 and was known as Anotsu Castle, named after the old region. The site was strategically chosen at the confluence of the Ano and Iwata Rivers, which naturally formed a moat around the castle, while the nearby port served as a vital trade route.
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Sasayama Castle
Tamba Sasayama Castle, also known as Sasayama or Kirigajo (Mist Castle), is a flatland castle (hira-jiro) situated on a gentle rise in the Tamba region of Hyogo Prefecture. It was constructed in 1608 as part of Tokugawa Ieyasu's strategy to prepare for an attack on Osaka, aiming to bring an end to the Toyotomi clan. Ieyasu ordered the castle's construction using the Tenka Bushin system, engaging 20 former enemy daimyo and their forces to complete the complex within six months. This system kept the former enemies close and preoccupied, financially straining them and limiting their capacity for further conflict. The stones used in Sasayama Castle feature engravings called kokumon, indicating who made each part of the walls and preventing theft by other lords' men.
