Azuchi Castle

Castle located in Azuchi, in Shiga Prefecture. It was built in the late 16th century by order of Oda Nobunaga to defend Kyoto and consolidate his control over the country. Azuchi Castle was regarded as the model castle of its age because of its magnificent seven-story tower. The castle was destroyed shortly after Nobunaga's death in 1582. (adapted from Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1993)