A yagura is a turret between two huge heavy gates, designed to slow the advance of an enemy into a castle while defending troops attack with projectile weapons from above. Sengan-yagura is a huge example in Osaka-jo castle, protecting the massive Ote-guchi entrance. Famously, the general Nobunaga Oda attacked the Hongan-ji temple which was on this site in the 1500s, where one yagura proved particularly deadly, and Oda's troops, although victorious, took heavy casualties. The yagura was said to be worth "sengan", or ten-thousand coins, due to its defensive strength.
Modern-day Osaka-jo has a teahouse just past Sengan-yagura, but it takes considerable offensive strength to get there, through the crowds and hot summer sun...
The image that makes the haiga is from lunch at a conference; although the box has the general floor plan of a Japanese castle, no storming of a yagura was required.
A yagura is a turret between two huge heavy gates, designed to slow the advance of an enemy into a castle while defending troops attack with projectile weapons from above. Sengan-yagura is a huge example in Osaka-jo castle, protecting the massive Ote-guchi entrance. Famously, the general Nobunaga Oda attacked the Hongan-ji temple which was on this site in the 1500s, where one yagura proved particularly deadly, and Oda's troops, although victorious, took heavy casualties. The yagura was said to be worth "sengan", or ten-thousand coins, due to its defensive strength.
ReplyDeleteModern-day Osaka-jo has a teahouse just past Sengan-yagura, but it takes considerable offensive strength to get there, through the crowds and hot summer sun...
The image that makes the haiga is from lunch at a conference; although the box has the general floor plan of a Japanese castle, no storming of a yagura was required.
Toodlepip,
Hobbes
Wow that looks delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI actually went back for a second box, but don't tell anyone. :)
ReplyDeleteToodlepip,
Hobbes