This is of course, Ōsaka Castle; it says so in the caption. The large, round, purple-ink stamp says 大阪城観覧記念 (Ōsaka Castle Kanran Kinen), which indicates that it is to commemorate the viewing of the castle. I’ll assume to commemorate the opening of the castle to the public. (Just an assumption though.)

When I first saw this postcard, I was beside myself. Not literally beside myself, as that would involve two of me, and I have no idea what could bring about such a scenario. The reason for my invocation of “beside myself”, is that this was the first time I’d ever seen Ōsaka Castle without a main tower!

The tower was actually completed in 1931 using modern construction techniques. Its external appearance was said to have been influenced by both Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s main tower & that of the Tokugawa’s, which I’m sure they’d both be ecstatic about. Regarding the internal appearance, try to imagine a concrete, 1930′s building.

It was only yesterday that I’d responded to a comment in: Ōsaka’s Megaliths, that I’d never entered Ōsaka’s main tower. When I eventually do hand-over the entrance fee and walk past the famed Kinmeisui Well (Important Cultural Property), I will be picturing this very scene.