Goryōkaku
Goryōkaku ( Japanese 五 稜 郭 , dt "pentagonal fortification") is a fortress in the city of Hakodate in southern Hokkaidō in Japan . It was the main fortress of the short-lived Republic of Ezo .
Built by the Tokugawa Shogunate from 1857 to 1866, it was the first western-style fortress in Japan. The fortress was in the center of the port of Hakodate. Its five-pointed star shape allowed more cannons to be deployed than traditional Japanese fortresses, and it reduced the number of dead corners that could not be shot at. When designing Goryōkaku, Takeda Ayasaburō took over elements of the French fortress architect Vauban , who had adapted his designs to the increasing spread of artillery in warfare.
Goryōkaku is famous as the site of the final battle of the Boshin War . On October 16, 1868, Ōtori Keisuke and Hijikata Toshizō withdrew with their troops into the fortress. They defended it until May 18, 1869, when it was captured by the new Japanese army . Much of the fortress was destroyed in the fighting.
Today Goryōkaku is a park. It has been declared an important historical site. The Hakodate City Museum is also located in the park. The site is a popular place for hanami .
The other key fortress of the Ezo Republic was Benten Daiba , built on the site of a former shrine to the goddess of luck Benten . Many of the remaining Shinsengumi fought their final battle here and eventually surrendered.
In 1952 the complex was declared a special historical site ( tokubetsu shiseki ).
Web links
- Goryokaku Tower Co., Ltd. - English
- Japan Atlas: Goryokaku Fort - English
- Hakodate Attractions: Goryokaku Area - English
Coordinates: 41 ° 47 ′ 49 ″ N , 140 ° 45 ′ 25 ″ E