Stripes Japan: Visiting Osaka Castle

Above, Osaka Castle in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Godzilla fans, when Osaka Castle gets mentioned, they immediately think of Godzilla Raids Again (1955) (Gojira no Gyakushū, lit. 'Godzilla's Counterattack'). For it was at Osaka Castle in the movie that Godzilla vanquishes Anguirus.

Today, Osaka Castle is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Osaka, Japan. I have visited it twice.

Above, yours truly with samurai swords at Osaka Castle in 2015.

Stripes Japan - Stars and Stripes posted an article on visiting Osaka Castle, calling it the "symbol of Japan's third largest city."

They begin with:

It only took me ten minutes of walking from JR Osakajokoen until I finally saw the tip of the castle from Osaka Park. Yet it was enough to amaze me. Even from afar I could see that the castle boasted impressive gold ornaments and intrinsic detail, making it aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

The symbol of Osaka was built in 1583 on the former site of Ishiyama Honganji Temple, as ordered by Hideyoshi Toyotomi during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. He was a famous warlord who successfully brought all provinces in Japan under his rule, unifying the nation in 1590.  

Every building in the complex remains in their original construction, except the main tower. It was reconstructed in 1931, following the original exterior design from the Toyotomi era. This building consists of 8 floors in total and acts as the centerpiece of the complex.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan features a spotlight on Osaka Castle.

To read more, go here. 

Hedorah Slimes Into Shibuya For 50th Anniversary

Above, a Hedorah Bandai figure I bought in Japan in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) (a.k.a. Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster (1972 in the U.S.)) is being celebrated this month. 

What's the celebration? 

It is the 50th Anniversary of the movie's release by Toho Co., Ltd.

According to Stars & Stripes Japan:

Parco Shibuya Gallery X in cooperation with Toho Co., Ltd. salutes the 50th anniversary of Hedorah aka the Smog Monster from Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) during an art installation in Shibuya, Tokyo until November 23. Gallery X and multiple artisans have come together to champion the repulsive, often loathed, but extremely popular kaiju from the Godzilla film series.

Tune into fascinating, satirical, dark, anti-pollution themes at this psychedelic tribute happening in fashionable Shibuya. Take a trip to the basement floor and see pieces by chandelier artist, Kim Songhe, videographer, Akiko Nakayama, designers, Keiji Ito and Coin Parking Delivery and their collaborations with Marusan Toys. Also, on display are one hundred set photos, and screen-used props and diorama from the brief Hedorah sequence from Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), directed by Ryuhei Kitamura.

The 50-year old Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, directed by Yoshimitsu Banno (1931-2017) was released to U.S. matinee houses in 1972, polarizing fans for decades, but has slithered back with a degree of fresh wind, as new Godzilla generations discover the avant-garde entry.  Banno, despite his multimedia, over the top approach was chastised by producer, Tomoyuki Tanaka upon the Japanese release.  

Banno, however continually stoking creative fires, became a film format visionary, and ultimately rose to producer on Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla films before his passing.

Above, Godzilla vs. Hedorah director Yoshimitsu Banno (second from right) at the Rainforest Cafe in 2005. 

Too bad we can't go to Japan to see the exhibit since there's a tourism freeze there due to the pandemic.

At least the article has some photos to look at.

To read more, go here.