11 December, 2013

Osaka III



just one cherry tree
remains at the defence
of Sakuramon

-Sakuramon, Osaka-jo

3 comments:

Hobbes said...

Sakuramon means "cherry gate", so-called because of the cherry trees that grew by the major fortification of the inner bailey of Osakajo or Osaka Castle. Many key battles in Japanese history focussed on Osakajo, and on Sakuramon in particular.

Now, in these modern times, there remains just a single cherry. A lone watchman, its presence was quite significant. Just a cherry tree, but, in some ways, so much more.


Toodlepip,

Hobbes

Mighty Tea Monster said...

After a while of staring at this picture I found the most striking feature was how the stones were so unevenly placed. The larger sized corner stones I am sure are for reinforcement of sorts.. However, the placement of stones seemed very intentional in their unevenness. It turns out it was. A method of wall building developed by the Japanese called burdock piling, which I discovered on searching. I am still trying to find something that tells of the history and the effectiveness of the method. Very cool though...

Hobbes said...

Dear Teamonster,

Given how many major fortifications from Japan's war-torn past adopted this technique, it may be fair to assume that it is quite effective. :)

These days, it looks rather pretty...


Toodlepip,

Hobbes