130129-0008 - Osaka Castle

The Donjon or castle tower of Osaka Castle in Osaka on September 7, 1951 (Showa 26). Toyotomi Hideyoshi started construction of this massive castle in 1583. It was completed in 1597. Lightning strikes burned down the main tower in 1665. In 1843 several of the turrets were rebuilt, but in 1868 much of the castle was burned in the civil conflicts surrounding the Meiji Restoration. In 1928, a fund-raising drive was started by the Mayor of Osaka to restore the main tower. This was a great success and the restoration was concluded in 1931.