Castles are predominantly military structures but many of them flirt with human sciences and fine arts by being architectural masterpieces steeped in history. Osaka Castle fits the description and goes far beyond it - at least, for those who read “Shogun”.Strictly speaking, the book describes the castle as a seat of power and a treasury full of immense riches collected throughout the realm. However, there is a distinct mystical - almost mythical - quality to it, too: it is perceived as a forbidding creature with its own will, its spread endless, its spiritual energy protecting its current occupiers. It is not incidental that the future Shogun would avoid a decisive battle until/unless he managed to lure his archrival out of the castle…It's the book-created background that both prepares one for a future encounter with the castle, and is responsible for an involuntary shock when that encounter actually happens. The above picture is quite representative, even if doesn't provide a detailed view of the main attraction: most guidebooks and such refer to it as “a castle and a park”. There is more than one park, too (some of them are called “gardens”). The endless spread is there, as expected, but not a remnant of anything "forbidding". In fact, it might be one of the friendliest and most welcoming places in the already friendliest and most welcoming country. A party place equally drawing outdoorsy kids,<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725680871/7kwonders/DSCF_2571_c7ebc7c304.jpg" alt="DSCF2571.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725680871/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_2571_c7ebc7c304.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725680871/7kwonders/small_DSCF_2571_c7ebc7c304.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725680871/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_2571_c7ebc7c304.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725680871/7kwonders/large_DSCF_2571_c7ebc7c304.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">aquaphiles,<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725681123/7kwonders/DSCF_1869_f6f0fd8f6b.jpg" alt="DSCF1869.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725681122/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_1869_f6f0fd8f6b.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725681122/7kwonders/small_DSCF_1869_f6f0fd8f6b.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725681123/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_1869_f6f0fd8f6b.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725681123/7kwonders/large_DSCF_1869_f6f0fd8f6b.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">fun-lovers<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682052/7kwonders/DSCF_2460_d00539d45e.jpg" alt="DSCF2460.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682051/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_2460_d00539d45e.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682052/7kwonders/small_DSCF_2460_d00539d45e.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682052/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_2460_d00539d45e.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682052/7kwonders/large_DSCF_2460_d00539d45e.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">and cosplay practitioners,&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682223/7kwonders/DSCF_1898_b3c996e5b0.jpg" alt="DSCF1898.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682222/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_1898_b3c996e5b0.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682223/7kwonders/small_DSCF_1898_b3c996e5b0.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682223/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_1898_b3c996e5b0.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725682223/7kwonders/large_DSCF_1898_b3c996e5b0.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">not to forget history buffs.There are many ways to tell about history. It can be made scary, entertaining, dry and matter-of-factly; it can sound almost like a fairy-tale or be approached analytically as if it were a mathematical equation. Japanese approach to history is what might be called “photographic”. Human history is full of bloodshed and cruelty, and that of Japan is no exception. Individual Japanese might be emotional and take sides, or they might choose to be indifferent and literally let the past bury its dead. As a nation, Japan does what its DNA bids it to: it displays loyalty - and, in terms of history, “loyalty” means presenting things exactly as they were. That's why several floors of Osaka Castle are covered wall-to-wall with pictures and paintings like that<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725686147/7kwonders/DSCF_1899_477bec3583.jpg" alt="DSCF1899.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725686147/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_1899_477bec3583.jpg 162w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725686147/7kwonders/small_DSCF_1899_477bec3583.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725686147/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_1899_477bec3583.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725686148/7kwonders/large_DSCF_1899_477bec3583.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Actual timelines, actual appearances, succinct comments. Family trees and master-vassal relations. Undoubtedly matter-of-factly but not dry - maybe, because portrayed individuals somehow let their emotions come forth and break through paper or canvas. And so do figurines, hundreds and hundreds of them.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725687735/7kwonders/DSCF_2547_d28e8ffeb0.jpg" alt="DSCF2547.JPG" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725687734/7kwonders/thumbnail_DSCF_2547_d28e8ffeb0.jpg 208w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725687735/7kwonders/small_DSCF_2547_d28e8ffeb0.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725687735/7kwonders/medium_DSCF_2547_d28e8ffeb0.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/dpwp8vga3/image/upload/v1725687735/7kwonders/large_DSCF_2547_d28e8ffeb0.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Key battle scenes presented exactly as they were, based on historical evidence. Colours, weapons, battle order - meticulous to the last detail. There is plenty of information regarding the battle itself - its cause, participants, developments and outcome - but…it suddenly feels irrelevant, at least for the moment. Art takes over from the very history it is explaining - and carries the day. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Key #17: Osaka Castle

Shogun's title character is named Yoshi Toranaga, and he is portrayed as a perfect leader. An invincible general who hasn't lost even a single battle over almost 50 years of his military career; a wise statesman who unified Japan and created a “Legacy” - a law code that helped his heirs to ensure that the country would remain peaceful and prosperous for decades and even centuries; an accomplished actor of the Noh theatre; an astute psychologist possessing an almost uncanny ability to anticipate people's behaviour and use them in his calculations as if they were chess pieces. Last but not least, a just ruler taking a good care of his vassals and amply rewarding loyalty, while necessarily punishing treason, in accordance with mores of the time.While James Clavell turned Yoshi Toranaga into a living and breathing picture of perfection, the actual person, Toranaga was based upon, must have been seen in a very different light - at least, judging by historical documents. The real shogun's name was Tokugawa Ieyasu, and both he and his main political rival, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (General Ishido Kazunari in the book) seem to have been almost the exact opposites of their respective literary alter-egos. The following poem might be a somewhat better representation of historical truth:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;RoninOh, Toyotomi, a mighty clan Whose name was famed throughout Japan. The blessed builders of the land Who filled it with wonders from end to end. Whoever listened to the Kyoto big bell, Would never wish to break its spell. The Osaka castle was flying high, Its turrets challenging the sky.Oh, month of April, a magic time When Mother-Nature is at her prime. The trees are blooming, strong and fair, The sakura fragrance fills the air, The air itself is full of light, The earth is painted pink and white.&nbsp; It’s so beautiful – and yet HE crossed the land to paint it red.Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Beast from the East. Tokugawa Ieyasu brought vultures to feast, He craved to be Shogun and for his heart’s desire He didn’t think twice to set the castle on fire. He killed my master, kith and kin – He spared me – to be ronin! He left my whole world aflame And bid me live – in pain and shame!Oh, Land of Gods, my sacred land –&nbsp; Who could predict this morbid end?!&nbsp; &nbsp;While “Shogun” is a literary wonder in its own right, there is nothing particularly wondrous in a likely misrepresentation of a historical figure - that's a rather common phenomenon facilitated by the concept of so-called “creative license”. Yet, James Clavell's choice to gloss over the winner is remarkable because it results in "history being written not by but about the victor". Considering that “Shogun” was written more than a century after the end of the shogunate rule - and by a foreigner who could possibly have no personal allegiances within Japan - the only comprehensible reason for such a choice must have been the author's personal belief that the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate had achieved something really important. Unifying Japan and securing 265 years of peace would likely fit the bill - and create a paradox, since the only way to enforce peace in a war-torn country is through a lot of bloodshed necessary to defeat every opposition. In that respect, the person of a successful unifier doesn't matter, only the mission. That realization is, arguably, the historic wonder associated with “Shogun” - both the book and the character.

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Key #16: Shogun, the Character

While fiction is to be taken with a grain of salt wherever it mentions facts - such as names, dates and places - it's completely in a class of its own when it comes to capturing the spirit of the times described. No textbook, academic paper or even documentary can even start touching the depth of the insight into the Civil War America provided by Margaret Mitchell's “Gone With The Wind” - and the same is true regarding Erich Maria Remarque's “All Quiet On The Western Front” describing the postwar Germany. Ernest Hemingway's “The Sun Also Rises” is the epitome of that celebratory “we are alive, and Devil-May-Care” spirit that swept over Western Europe between the World Wars; Honore de Balzac's “Humane Comedy” is the real encyclopedia of the 19th century France, and his Eugene de Rastignac is as alive and French as the most typical and/or most famous of them are - an imaginary character as he might be. Sherlock Holmes might not be a typical Brit but he is the pinnacle of Britishness at its very best - and a giant on whose spiritual shoulders such champions of freedom as Winston Churchill stood.&nbsp;The title of this entry is similar to the above literary works - yet, in a way, it's even more unique. All the previously mentioned authors were writing about their own people and the societies they - or, at the very least, their parents - were part of. Not so Australian-born, British-raised James Clavell who had never been to Japan, and whose personal acquaintance with Japanese people was limited to jailers guarding him during his WWII captivity in Indonesia and Singapore. Somehow, none of that prevented Clavell from creating not just one masterpiece but a whole “sixpack” - six novels set in Japan, Hongkong, Singapore and Iran, “Shogun” being the most famous of them. Those books are usually referred to as “Asian Saga”, and they are, arguably, the most comprehensive effort ever made to grok Asia perceived by many non-Asians as not just another continent but another planet! On the surface, “Shogun” follows a familiar success recipe as it combines adventure, romance and power struggle - all that spiced up by great descriptions of nature and exotic customs. However, Clavell adds to the mix one more ingredient - the samurai code of conduct known as “bushido” - that renders the book a whole new meaning by turning it into a meeting point of philosophy, psychology and culture.Bushido is steeped in Buddhism and is based on its central concept of rebirth as a stepping stone to the ultimate bliss of Nirvana. As rebirth cancels the finality of death, it shifts the emphasis from staying alive - self-preservation being the most basic and powerful instinct dominating every living creature - to fulfilling one's duty and dying honourably to improve one's karma and ensure a better starting position for the next attempt. That shift results in barely imaginable situations that produce a whole gamut of both emotions and possible interpretations, the most extreme ones being “outrageous contempt for human life” and "an outstanding ability to enjoy ("savour" might be a better word) every moment of being alive". The most bizarre consequence of death being stripped of its aura of fear is that it inexplicably becomes both a punishment (as is the case in essentially every other culture) and a reward!&nbsp;

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Key #15: Shogun, the Book

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