Osaka

Ultimate Guide to Osaka Castle: 04

Marked Stones Square and bullet marks from WWII

Takako Sakamoto Jul 03, 2014 - 2 min read

<p>This is the 'Marked Stones Square' inside the 'Yamazato-maru Bailey'. When you cross the Gokurakubashi Bridge you can see it on the right side</p>

<p>The name of the place, 'Marked Stones Square' is carved in the stone monument</p>

<p>After Tokugawa Shogunate attacked Osaka Castle to destroy the Toyotomi Clan, they re-built the burnt-down castle. They ordered each Daimyo (local lords) to mine big stones locally in order to use them for rebuilding the stone walls here, and in some stones the family crests of the lords who had to participate in the reconstruction are carved</p>

<p>The chart showing which marks are the family crests of which Han (domain)</p>

<p>According to the chart, this mark belongs to the Maeda Clan in Ishikawa Prefecture</p>

<p>Since the Maeda Clan was a big powerful family, they must have been assigned to rebuild a vast area. You can find many stones with their family crest here</p>

<p>Can you see the bullet marks on the stone wall surface at the bottom on the right side?</p>

<p>These are the bullet marks made by the strafing attacks of the U.S. Air Force during WWII</p>

<p>Sign explaining these are the bullet marks made by the air raids in 1945  </p>

<p>According to the sign, Osaka Castle was severely attacked because it housed the central military facilities as well as armaments factories. What a fate the castle had...first it was attacked by Tokugawa Shogunate in 1615, then was rebuilt, then once again was attacked from the air this time in 1945...but it still stands in 2014!</p>

<p>Wow! Air raids are powerful! But it looks like the stone walls here were more powerful, as they are still standing strong!</p>

This photo story is to guide you step-by-step as you explore the Osaka Castle and the Osaka Castle Park. The fourth leg of the journey begins at the 'Marked Stones Square' inside the Yamazato-maru Bailey. When you cross the Gokurakubashi Bridge, you'll see these big stones scattered around in a spacious area. These are the stones used in the reconstruction of the stone walls after the castle ground was burnt down by Tokugawa's army in 1615. Tokugawa Shogunate ordered many Daimyo (lords) to rebuild the castle grounds, and their family crests were carved on some stones. When you finish scrutinizing the family crests on the stones, don't forget to look for the air-raid bullet marks on the stone walls beside the stairs leading to the castle. They were made during WWII by U.S. Air Force raids, but they don't stand out at all and I missed them on my first visit. According to the guide book I read, the chance of missing this spot is more than 98%! So, keep your eyes open and spot them! For further guidance, please refer to the links below.

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Ultimate Guide: Osaka Castle

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...