Back during the time when the Japanese were tormenting the Korean peninsula in the late 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the king of Japan, began construction on his massive castle. The base stones are enormous, the gilded perch is beautiful, the symmetry is calming and it gives off such a Japanese flavor of strength and sensibility. It’s both utilitarian and stylish. They had little 3D movies telling the story of the king and his people. Unfortunately, Japan was both at war with its neighbors as well as itself. So, the new shogun, Tokugawa, routed Hideyoshi and thereby took over the region. Tokugawa, in his new role as leader, built the almost identical structure of Nagoya Castle (about 60 miles from Osaka) probably to prove he could build better than his predecessor.

Osaka Castle

The Japanese know gardens.

I can’t read the inscription, so maybe it was KIng Hideyoshi?

Love the grey stone and grey sky.