Nijo Castle

Originally built between 1601 and 1603, Nijo Castle epitomizes the political and military power of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Following the Tokugawa victory at Sekigahara (1600), Ieyasu constructed the castle in the heart of Kyoto, not only as a central location for a shogunal palace, but also as a reminder of his indomitable strength to the citizens of what was once the center of imperial authority. Nijo was considered to be particularly unfortified, flaunting an air of arrogance by implying that he does not need to fear attack, Ieyasu�s Nijo Castle more closely resembled a princely estate than a defensive structure.