Osaka History Highlights
Feel the History in the Full Bloom of Spring
The national unifier, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, loved viewing the cherry blossoms. During his life, he laid the foundation of the city that would come to be known as Osaka. Many towns, which emerged around the castle, kept the same names to date.
The gardens of Osaka Castle change from plum blossoms in early spring to cherry blossoms as the weather warms. Start your exploration of Osaka’s history at Uemachi Plateau, which is rich in greenery and flowers. Beginning at Uemachi, you are assured to experience the history of Osaka while enjoying the nice spring weather.
The Spirit of International Exchange Found in Osaka
In the 5th century, the oldest cosmopolitan city in Japan, Naniwa, was founded. By the 6th century, Buddhism was introduced in Japan and in 593, Prince Shotoku built Japan’s first state temple, ”Shitennoji,” on Uemachi Plateau. At that time, Naniwazu was the biggest port in Japan. Later, Japanese, Korean and Chinese nobles and high priests arrived and departed at Naniwazu. Gorgeous ships then crowded the harbor, setting the foundation for international exchange in Japan.
Osaka Leads Economic Distribution: From the Medieval to the Modern Period
Soon after Toyotomi Hideyoshi united the entire country and brought an end to the war, the towns surrounding Osaka Castle grew and Osaka entered the age of prosperity. Later, when Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo shogunate and the nation enjoyed stability, Osaka became the distribution center for staple domestic goods such as rice. Soon named “the nation’s kitchen,” Osaka saw tremendous progress.
Dojima Rice Market
During the Edo Period, the basis of the Japanese economy was the production and distribution of rice. Domestic food industries and related industries flourished. In 1730, trading in rice futures was conducted at Dojima Rice Market, resulting in the establishment of many kurayashiki (local agencies or business offices of the various Han’s). Wealthy merchants handled goods from all over Japan and circuit ships known as kitamaebune were used for distribution. The waterways were favored for transport and thus canals were built to facilitate trade. The townspeople formed a self-governing organization for building and maintaining canals and bridges. Since then, Osaka has been referred to variously as “the town of abundant water,” “the town with 808 bridges”, and “the town for townsmen.”
Townsmen and Merchants: Education for the Masses
The Osaka economy flourished and merchants became more powerful. Academic interests followed and soon educational facilities emphasizing business and economics were established. There are two particularly famous schools that were established collectively by merchants: “Kaitokudo” and “Tekijuku”. Education at these academies were sophisticated and offered a wide variety of studies - from Confucianism to mathematics, medical science, foreign languages (Dutch), and philosophy. The studies in astronomy surpassed those in Edo.