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Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Castles

  • Remains of Okazaki Castle and its moat. (© Pixta)

    Remains of Okazaki Castle and its moat. (© Pixta)

  • Hamamatsu Castle is known for its nozurazumi walls made from piled-up, naturally rough stones. These were built by Horio Yoshiharu in 1590. (© Pixta)

    Hamamatsu Castle is known for its nozurazumi walls made from piled-up, naturally rough stones. These were built by Horio Yoshiharu in 1590. (© Pixta)

  • A plan of Sunpu Castle, included in Nihon kojō ezu (Plans of Old Japanese Castles). This was drawn up in the mid-Edo period (1603–1868), after Ieyasu lived there, showing a large castle built up around a longstanding central keep. (Courtesy the National Diet Library)

    A plan of Sunpu Castle, included in Nihon kojō ezu (Plans of Old Japanese Castles). This was drawn up in the mid-Edo period (1603–1868), after Ieyasu lived there, showing a large castle built up around a longstanding central keep. (Courtesy the National Diet Library)

  • Sunpu Castle is now open to visitors in Sunpu Castle Park. This 2014 photo shows the completed Hitsujizaru Turret. (© Pixta)

    Sunpu Castle is now open to visitors in Sunpu Castle Park. This 2014 photo shows the completed Hitsujizaru Turret. (© Pixta)

  • Along the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, there are the remains of quarries for stone to be used in Edo Castle. Some of the large stones still have lines of holes into which metal wedges were hammered to split them. (© Pixta)

    Along the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, there are the remains of quarries for stone to be used in Edo Castle. Some of the large stones still have lines of holes into which metal wedges were hammered to split them. (© Pixta)

  • A plan of Edo Castle in the 1608 Keichō Edo ezu (Illustrations of Edo in the Keichō Era [1596–1615]). It is thought to have been drawn shortly after the establishment of the shogunate, showing the castle and its environs. (Courtesy the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library Special Collection Room)

    A plan of Edo Castle in the 1608 Keichō Edo ezu (Illustrations of Edo in the Keichō Era [1596–1615]). It is thought to have been drawn shortly after the establishment of the shogunate, showing the castle and its environs. (Courtesy the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library Special Collection Room)

  • The Higashi Ōtemon gate at Nijō Castle. The current gate was rebuilt in 1663. (© Pixta)

    The Higashi Ōtemon gate at Nijō Castle. The current gate was rebuilt in 1663. (© Pixta)

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