A new year, a new look for 2026! This time, we're sharing a model made for fellow model enthusiasts, from the brand Woody Joe, which specializes in wooden assembly models such as sailboats and buildings. This is their Osaka Castle, part of their series on Japan's Three Great Castles.
Once completed, it stands approximately 15 cm tall, a compact and miniature size, yet its design conveys the majestic grandeur of a hirayama-style castle. Below are photos showcasing all four sides of the main keep (tenshukaku):
The first major obstacle encountered during the production process was the hundreds of stone wall base pieces beneath the castle walls. The kit provided precious wood pieces with wood grain as a substitute for stone, but each piece was a perfectly regular rectangle, requiring individual trimming and assembly. It felt like stepping into an endless repetitive hell, and the edges were trimmed terribly. Fortunately, when viewed from a distance... quantity makes beauty!
The gable (yamagata hafu) on the ridge is adorned with gilded etched parts, adding to the luxurious symbolism of a real-life castle.
Osaka Castle, now located in Chuo-ku, Osaka City, was rebuilt by citizens' donations in 1931 as a 5-story, 8-level reinforced concrete structure.
On the eaves of each level stand eight shining golden, fish-tailed decorative tiles called Shachi (鯱, shachi). They seem to have the effect of suppressing the castle's beams and warding off evil, but they protrude quite a bit, making them easy to accidentally knock crooked.
Inside the uppermost observation tower, the resplendent crane patterns on the walls once again reflect the extravagant splendor of the Toyotomi era.
Holding a world-famous landmark in the palm of your hand, admiring it from every angle, truly makes one's imagination wander!
