Wakayama Castle

Wakayama Castle (和歌山城) in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, was originally built in 1585, under the supervision of Toyotomi Hidenaga, brother to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Asano Yoshinaga arrived in 1600 to serve as feudal lord, under Tokugawa Ieyasu. The castle was later attacked, in 1615, by forces loyal to Toyotomi Hideyori, who were trying to end the siege of Osaka.

In the summer of 1615, parts of the Osaka garrison left the city, ambushing various elements of the Tokugawa forces. Ono Harunaga, Hanawa Naoyuki and Okabe Noritsuna led part of the garrison in attacking Wakayama Castle, held by Asano Nagaakira at the time. They had with them 3000 men, but the castle boasted 5000 in its garrison. Asano's men left the castle to meet the Western (Toyotomi) forces in what came to be known as the 'battle of Kashii.' Hanawa and Okabe were killed, and Ono was forced to flee back to Osaka.

At the end of the Edo period, in 1867, the feudal structure fell apart, and Wakayama Castle was opened to the public for the first time.

The castle was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II, but was rebuilt in 1958 and is open to the public as a symbol of the city and historical site.

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