Siege of Osaka
Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan
What happened
The Tokugawa shogunate under Tokugawa Ieyasu and his son Hidetada fought the Toyotomi clan of Toyotomi Hideyori, whose defence was led by Sanada Yukimura. Tokugawa Ieyasu ruled Japan as shōgun, but the Toyotomi family still held the huge Osaka Castle. In winter 1614 Ieyasu besieged it, then agreed a truce, after which his men filled in the castle's outer moat. When fighting resumed in summer 1615, the defenders were defeated, the castle burned, and Hideyori died.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the last major challenge to the Tokugawa shogunate. Japan then had about 250 years without a major war.
What came next
The Tokugawa shogunate rebuilt Osaka Castle between 1620 and 1628. Its main tower was rebuilt again in 1931 and today houses a museum.
Did you know?
Sanada Yukimura's earthwork fort, the Sanada-maru, threw back attack after attack during the winter siege.
Timeline
- 1583Toyotomi Hideyoshi begins building Osaka Castle.
- November 1614The winter siege begins.
- 22 January 1615A truce is agreed; the outer moat is filled in.
- June 1615The castle falls in the summer campaign.
- 1931The castle's main tower is rebuilt.