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
-
Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle, originally built by the Owari Domain in 1612 during the Edo period, stands on the site of an earlier Oda clan castle from the Sengoku period. It became the centerpiece of Nagoya-juku, a significant castle town on the Minoji road, which connected two major Edo Five Routes: the Tokaido and the Nakasendo. In 1930, ownership of the castle was transferred to the city by the Imperial Household Ministry, establishing it as the focal point of modern Nagoya. Although partially destroyed in the Pacific War in 1945, the castle has undergone continuous restoration and preservation efforts since 1957.
-
Matsushiro Castle
Matsushiro Castle, originally known as Kaizu Castle, is located in what was once Matsushiro town, now part of Nagano City. The site is recognized as a National Historic Site of Japan. Situated on the northern Shinano flatlands between the Chikuma River and a former riverbed that serves as a natural outer moat to the north, the castle and its surrounding town were prone to flooding due to their location.
-
Fushimi Castle
Fushimi Castle, also known as Momoyama Castle or Fushimi-Momoyama Castle, is located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. Originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi between 1592 and 1594 as his retirement residence, the castle was destroyed by the 1596 Keichō–Fushimi earthquake and later rebuilt. However, it was demolished again in 1623, and its site now houses the tomb of Emperor Meiji. A replica of the castle was constructed nearby in 1964.
-
Odawara Castle
Odawara Castle, located in the city of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a reconstructed historical site with roots dating back to the Kamakura period (1185–1333). The current donjon (main keep) was rebuilt using reinforced concrete in 1960 on the stone foundation of the original structure, which was dismantled between 1870 and 1872 during the Meiji Restoration.
-
Shinpu Castle
Shinpu Castle was a Japanese hirayama-style fortress from the Sengoku period, situated in what is now Nirasaki, Yamanashi Prefecture. It served as the main stronghold of warlord Takeda Katsuyori. Designated as a National Historic Site in 1973, the castle occupies a strategic position on a mountain with steep cliffs, overlooking the Kamanashi River to the west of Kofu, where Takeda Shingen’s Tsutsujigasaki Castle once stood.
-
Takato Castle
Takato Castle, located in the city of Ina in southern Nagano Prefecture, Japan, was a notable stronghold during the Sengoku period. By the end of the Edo period, it was the residence of a cadet branch of the Naito clan, the daimyo of the Takato Domain. Also known as Kabuto Castle, it was originally constructed in the 16th century and is now mostly in ruins.
-
Takatenjin Castle
Takatenjin Castle was a yamashiro-style fortress from Japan's Sengoku period, situated in the Kamihijikata and Shimohijikata districts of Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture. Designated a National Historic Site in 1975, with an expanded protected area in 2007, its ruins remain a significant historical landmark.
-
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.
