The Story of the Cannon of Osaka Castle

Conveying the Flames of War to the Present Day

What attracts the attention of tourists visiting Osaka Castle is the huge cast iron cannon installed in the moat. With its overwhelming presence, it is affectionately called "Don of the Castle." This cannon is not just a decoration, but a valuable weapon that once played an active role on the front lines of battle.

A Masterpiece Born from the Tradition of Casting

This cannon was manufactured in 1863 by Hyakusa Seijiro, a caster of the Tsuyama Domain. At that time, casting technology was well developed, and sophisticated and powerful firearms were being produced. This cannon, weighing about 2 tons, can be considered the culmination of that technology.

Still Existing as a Witness of the Era

After the Meiji Restoration, the cannon was moved inside Osaka Castle and used as a time signal for morning, noon, and evening. Even in times of peace when the flames of war subsided, its existence was never forgotten. As a living witness to history, it continues to speak to people to this day.

Learning from the Past and Connecting to the Future

The cannon of Osaka Castle tells the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace. People are taught the horror of weapons from this cannon, while also knowing that the role of weapons will eventually come to an end. The existence of the cannon is a valuable lesson for protecting peace.

Now, the cannon has fulfilled its role as a time signal and is simply looking at history. However, we have the responsibility to learn from the past and sow the seeds of peace for the future. It is more important than anything to inherit the story hidden within the cannon and pass it on to the next generation.