At the beginning, on the place where the Osaka Castle can be seen today, it was a temple constructed on 1496. After 14 years of fightings, the shogun Hideyoshi Toyotami took the territory and begun to build a mighty fortress. Osaka Castle and its museum shows you the life of the shogun. In the 17th century, the castle was burned after being hit by a lightning. It was renovated on 1931 and 1935.
In one of the courtyards I came upon a dojo, and saw young persons training. It is forbidden to take photos in the castle, so the only ones are the panoramic photos I took on the observation deck.
If you visit the History Museum, like myself, you can buy a combined ticket (cheaper) for both objectives, which will cost you 1800 yen. Included in the ticket is also an exhibition about the way and life of the samurai.
In front of the castle, it is an interesting monument, “The Time Capsule”. The explanation there is that ir was built in memory of an Exhibition ‘70”, named “Progress and Harmony for the Mankind”. They gathered and buried there 2098 cultural treasures of Japan and from entire world. The capsule should be opened on 6970 (5000 years from the exhibition).
La inceput, pe locul in care azi se poate vedea Castelul Osaka, a existat un templu, ridicat in 1496. In 1583, dupa 11 ani de lupte, shogunul Hideyoshi Toyotami pune stapanire pe teriotriul respectiv si incepe sa construiasca turnul principal al unei fortarete puternice. O buna parte din istoria sa, Castelul Osaka se leaga apoi de istoria clanului Toyotami. In anul 1615, shogunul Tokugawa vine la putere. El reface fortificatiile. Castelul este inconjurat de un sant cu apa si are ziduri de piatra extrem de puternice. In secolul 17 un fulger determina un mare incendiu si multe structuri ard. Turnul central, transformat acum in muzeu, a fost renovat in 1931 si 1935.
De la Muzeul de Istorie am venit la castel printr-un parc frumos si m-am oprit mai intai sa privesc santul de aparare.
Am urcat apoi pe o rampa pana la Osemon, prima poarta de intrare in castel.
poarta Osemon
Poarta urmatoare ne conduce spre o curte ingusta, marginita de ziduri de piatra care te obliga sa schimbi directia de inaintare. Rolul sau era acela de a ingreuna patrunderea dusmanilor spre castel. Poarta Sakuramon este cea care ne duce mai aproape de castel.
poarta Sakuramon
In curtea in care am patruns, vad lume intrand intr-o cladire de unde se aud stigate. Ma apropii si, intrand, vad ca este vorba despre o sala enorma de antrenament, unde zeci de tineri se antrenau pentru arte martiale. Tot aici, in preajma portii, se afla si o mica gradina japoneza.
gradina japoneza de la poarta Sakuramon
In sfarsit vad castelul. Desi stiu ca este o reconstructie moderna, ma impresioneaza. Am, pe bune, senzatia ca sunt intr-unul dintre acele filme cu samurai. Ornamentele aurite ii dau un aer opulent, fara a-i micsora eleganta. Intrucat in interior este un muzeu, ma indrept spre intrare. Am cumparat la Muzeul de Istorie un bilet combinat, care combina vizita la muzeu cu cea la castel si la expozitia privind samuraii (1800 yen).
intrarea in muzeu
In interior, fotografiatul este interzis, dar nu si la ultimul etaj, care este un loc de unde se poate admira orasul.
shachi – tigle in forma de pesti aceanici mitici, folosite la acoperisuri
Cand am iesit din nou in curte, ploaia inceputa inca de dimineata, continua. Mi-a mai atras atentia un monument si m-am apropiat, sa vad despre ce este vorba. Monumentul se numeste “Capsula timpului” si comemoreaza o expozitie din anul 1970, avand tema “Progres si armonie pentru omenire”. Acolo, la 15 m adancime, sunt ingropate doua capsule, in care s-au pus 2098 de comori culturale ale secolului 20, din Japonia si din lume. Prima capsula se deschide la fiecare inceput de secol, iar a doua abia in anul…6970! O adevarata punere fata in fata a trecutului si prezentului, caci ce loc mai bun se putea gasi pentru acest monument decat curtea celei dintai capitale a Japoniei?
Capsula Timpului
un samurai modern
you are so well-travelled and knowledgeable about places. I love the Japanese garden photos!
Duncan In Kuantan
Thank you, Duncan! It is only the result of documentation. And yes, I am lucky enough that I had the opportunity to travel so much.
Really spectacular settings TH! I love seeing the castles and gardens, and the skyline of the city. Seeing the judo exhibition reminds me of the way my wife sometimes throws me around for sport :^)
Thanks, Doug! Does she? 🙂
Nice shots.
Thank you, Randy, for seeing them!
You are still able to surprise me with so many different kinds of pictures!
The merit is not mine, VP, but to the variety of things I was able to see in Japan! Thanks!
Hope to visit this beautiful place one day!!
I keep my fingers crossed for you, Phivos!