Fushimi Castle

Fushimi Castle also has another name - Momoyama Palace, in honor of the hill on which it is located. It was built in 1594 near Kyoto; the location was not chosen by chance. In addition to its strategic significance, it also had a sacred meaning - the 50th Japanese Emperor Kammu, who founded the capital of Kyoto, was buried on the hill. Such castles at that time had two purposes - a powerful fortification on the outside and a luxuriously decorated palace inside.

History of Fushimi Castle

It was built by the famous politician and military leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi, demonstrating his wealth and power. The residence was intended for negotiations with representatives of China and was subsequently supposed to pass to Hideeri, the son of Toyotomi. 30 thousand people were involved in the construction. It lasted for two years. A year after the start, an earthquake occurred, and Fushimi Castle had to be almost completely rebuilt. During the construction period, the course of the Uji River was changed so that through it and the Yodo River from the fortress one could easily get to the Inland Sea of Japan.

In 1600, when Toyotomi died, the castle was captured after a siege by supporters of Tokugawa Ieyasu. As a result of the battles, about 5 thousand defenders and attackers died. The fortress was badly damaged, but in 1602 Ieyasu restored it. The next year he was appointed shogun, and the castle became his headquarters.

Features of Fushimi Castle

After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the importance of the castle fortress gradually lost its size and status. In 1619, it was decided to completely liquidate it. In 1625 the plan was realized. The luxurious interiors of Fushimi Castle were looted. Some of them were discovered in other palaces and even temples. For example, a unique wooden floor ended up on the ceiling of the Egen-In Temple, and part of the fortifications was used for Fukuyama and Osaka Castle.

According to the mentions of the palace in ancient documents, it can be argued that the most magnificent hall of the castle was the golden tea room. It was richly decorated with gold leaf, almost completely covering the room. To date, the interiors of the palace have not been preserved. Emperor Meiji was buried in a tomb on the castle grounds in 1912. In 1964, Fushimi Castle was restored and a replica was created. The reconstruction was carried out according to the surviving ancient drawings, but was slightly moved. A beautiful park was built around the castle. Every spring it takes on a unique look created by cherry blossoms.