Japan, Azuchi Castle, Nagoya, Shogun Nobunaga (織田 信長), Lake Biwa P.F.X. De Charlevoix, 1736, Plan de la Ville et Chateau de Anzuquiama

View of the famous castle of Nobunaga (織田 信長) just outside of Kyoto on the shores of Lake Biwa.

The Azuchi-Momoyama period gets its name from the opulent residences of two warlords who attempted to unify Japan at the end of the Sengoku (“warring states”) era, namely Oda Nobunaga’s Azuchi Castle and Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Fushimi or Momoyama Castle. Both castles were not only martial structures for strategic warfare and defense, but also luxurious mansions meant to impress and intimidate political rivals. The architectural style of these residences derived from that of the pavilions built by Ashikaga shōguns during the previous historical period. Also, both castles’ locations were carefully selected for their optimal proximity to the capital—Nobunaga’s castle was built just outside of Kyoto on the shores of lake Biwa, while Hideyoshi’s was in Kyoto itself, in the southeastern ward of Fushimi.

Published in ´Histoire et description générale du Japon...´, P.F.X. De Charlevoix, Paris 1736, Gandouin et al.

Excellent condition. Clear print. Reverse side blank.

Image 19,5x28cm, page 25x33cm