Trace of Earth
地球の形跡

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400年前、大坂城の石垣を築城するために切り出された石（残念石）を400年越しに夢洲へ。

これらの石は、せっかく切り出されたものの大坂城へ行けなかった石に対して、地域の方々に見守られながら愛着を込めて"残念石"と呼ばれてきました。ここでは400年前に切り出された地から大坂へ祭りのように石を運んだように、400年越しに万博という場で再び祭りのように石を運び、日本の石工文化に焦点を当て、当時の人の痕跡や石自体の力が建築と組み合わさることで自然と共にある建築の在り方、またその未来を考える始める場となればと考えました。

Stones quarried 400 years ago for the construction of Osaka Castle's stone walls—Zannen-ishi—are now, four centuries later, brought to Yumeshima.

These stones, though carefully quarried, were never transported to Osaka Castle. Over time, the local community came to watch over them with affection, calling them Zannen-ishi—lit.unfortunate stone—a name born from both sentiment and memory.

Just as the stones were once transported from their quarry site to Osaka in a festive procession, we now carry them again, in a celebratory spirit, to the site of the Expo—400 years later. Through this act, we place renewed focus on Japan’s ishiku (stone masonry) culture. By combining the traces of the people who once shaped these stones, the silent strength of the stones themselves, and contemporary architecture, we hope to create a place that invites reflection on how architecture can coexist with nature—and inspire new ways of imagining that future.

1620s: Stones for Osaka Castle

1620 年に始まった大坂城再建のために、西日本各地から石が運ばれてきました。

In 1620, the reconstruction of Osaka Castle began and vast amounts of stones were transported from various regions　of　western Japan to be used for the castle's walls.

1620s: A Samurai Led the Project to Bring the Stones to Osaka

大坂城再建に向けて築城の名手として名高い藤堂高虎の指揮のもと、大野山から石を何千個も切り出し石垣が修復されていきました。

Under the direction of TŌDŌ Takatora, a renowned samurai lord and master castle architect, thousands of stones were　quarried from Mt. Ōno and used to rebuild the stone walls of Osaka Castle.( build new stone walls that covered the existing one)

1620s: Stones were Transported through Kizu River

大坂城の石垣の再建のため、切り出した石は刻印にて管理を行い、木津川から筏や舟を使い大坂城へと運び出したと考えられています（諸説あります）。なかには、大坂城へ運べなかった石もあったようです。

It is thought that the quarried stones were engraved with markings for tracking and organization purposes, then　transported to Osaka Castle via rafts and boats on the Kizu River.

1975: The Stones were Found

大坂城再建時（1620）から時が流れ、1975 年、護岸改修工事により土の中から石が発見され調査の結果、藤堂瀋採石の残石であることが明らかになり、地元では大坂城へ行けなかったということで*“残念石”と呼ばれています。

＊残念石｜お城の築城のために切り出されたが、様々な経緯で長い間使われずに残った石材。『残念石（もしくは「残石」）』と呼ばれています。

Centuries after the reconstruction of Osaka Castle in 1620, stones were uncovered in 1975 during riverbank renovation　work. Investigations revealed that they were leftover stones from the TŌDŌ clan's quarrying efforts. Locally, they are　called "Zannen-ishi* " (Regret Stones), a name reflecting the fact that they never made it to Osaka Castle.
* Zannen-ishi (lit.　unfortunate stone): Stones quarried for the reconstruction of Osaka Castle but left unused for a long time for various　reasons.

2002: The Stones Became the Historical Symbol

これらの石は、400 年前に大阪城の再建のために採石されたもので、1975 年に発見されました。現在、これらは地元のコミュニティによって文化財として大切にされ、愛情を込めて残念石と呼ばれています。

＊残念石｜お城の築城のために切り出されたが、様々な経緯で長い間使われずに残った石材。『残念石（もしくは「残石」）』と呼ばれています。

The stones, originally quarried 400 years ago for the reconstruction of Osaka Castle, were rediscovered in 1975. Today,

they are cherished by the local community as cultural assets and are affectionately known as Zannen-ishi*.

* Zannen-ishi (lit. unfortunate stone): Stones quarried for the reconstruction of Osaka Castle but left unused for a long time for various reasons.

2023: The Project Started

河川内を通る府道の工事に合わせて河川敷から* 残念石が11 個引き上げられました。現在京都府木津川市加茂町に6 個の残念石が、刻印（切り出された際に石につけられた寸法や月日・藤堂藩と分かる記号）が見えるように並べられています。
＊残念石｜お城の築城のために切り出されたが、様々な経緯で長い間使われずに残った石材。『残念石（もしくは「残石」）』と呼ばれています。

In conjunction with construction work on a prefectural road passing through the river, 11 Zannen-ishi* were recovered
from the riverbed. Currently, six of these stones are lined up in Kamo, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture, with their
original markings — including dimensions, dates, and symbols identifying them as property of the TŌDŌ clan — clearly
visible. Now, approximately 400 years after they were first quarried, these Zannen-ishi* will be exhibited in their
original form at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
* Zannen-ishi (lit. unfortunate stone): Stones quarried for the reconstruction of Osaka Castle but left unused for a long time for various
reasons.

2025: Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

約400 年間、河原に横たわっていた* 残念石は、時を経て2025 年現在、万博という舞台で加工せずそのままの形で活用されています。
＊残念石｜お城の築城のために切り出されたが、様々な経緯で長い間使われずに残った石材。『残念石（もしくは「残石」）』と呼ばれています。
After lying on the riverbank for nearly 400 years, the Zannen-ishi* are now being used in their unprocessed original form at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan venue.
* Zannen-ishi (lit. unfortunate stone): Stones quarried for the reconstruction of Osaka Castle but left unused for a long time for various
reasons.

2025: After the Expo, the Stones Will Go Home

この場所にある* 残念石は万博閉幕後、切り出された京都府木津川市加茂町で再び展示される予定です。
＊残念石｜お城の築城のために切り出されたが、様々な経緯で長い間使われずに残った石材。『残念石（もしくは「残石」）』と呼ばれています。
After the conclusion of the Expo, these Zannen-ishi* will be carefully transported back to Kamo Town, Kizugawa City,
Kyoto Prefecture, where they will once again be displayed.
* Zannen-ishi (lit. unfortunate stone): Stones quarried for the reconstruction of Osaka Castle but left unused for a long time for various
reasons.

Details
and
Process

石を傷つけずにぴったりはまる木材。石の形状に合わせて５軸加工で木が削られ、接着剤や釘は一切使用せず屋根がのっています

Wood that fits perfectly without damaging the stone.

The wood is cut in a 5-axis process to match the shape of the stone, and the roof goes on without using any glue or nails.

道路工事に伴い河原から引き上げられる工事中の残念石（SKYFACE撮影）

A regrettable stone under construction being pulled up from the riverbank due to road construction (photo by SKYFACE)

Layout

Special Thanks

この建築は、残念石の貸し出しにご理解をいただいた木津川市・同教育委員会の方々、保護・活用に⻑年尽力されてきたふるさと案内・加茂、地域の方々をはじめ、多方面のご協力のもと完成しました。万博会場で皆様にご覧いただいた後、残念石は再び地元に戻っていく予定です。ここに深く感謝申し上げます。

万博期間中の残念石の貸出：木津川市教育委員会

会期終了後にはこれらの残念石は地元に戻り、展示・保存される予定です。今既にある地域の資源を再び見つめ直し、万博会場と同時に地域にも足を運んでいただく機会になればと思います。（残念石が運ばれてきた京都府木津川市加茂町では切り出された大野山や他の残念石、その刻印もご覧いただけます。）

建築設計：小林広美、大野宏、竹村優里佳

（studio m!kke、Studio on_site、Yurica Design&Architecture）

This architecture was made possible through the generous support of many individuals and organizations, including the City of Kizugawa and its Board of Education, who kindly agreed to lend the Zannen-ishi stones, as well as Furusato Annai Kamo and local residents who have long been dedicated to their preservation and promotion. After being showcased at the Expo, the Zannen-ishi will return to their hometown. We express our deepest gratitude to all those involved.

Loan of Zannen-ishi during the Expo period: Kizugawa City Board of Education

After the Expo concludes, these Zannen-ishi are scheduled to be returned to their home in Kamo Town, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture, where they will be exhibited and preserved.

Architectural Design: Hiromi Kobayashi, Hiroshi Ohno, Yurika Takemura

Trace of Earth ​地球の形跡

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Trace of Earth
地球の形跡

Details
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Process