A significant archaeological find has occurred in Takatsuki, Osaka, where the remnants of a Western-style artillery battery designed by Katsu Kaishu have been uncovered. The discovery was announced by the city on the 25th, marking the first time the site's existence has been confirmed through excavation, despite depictions of it having existed previously. Experts regard this as a valuable insight into the tense circumstances during the late Edo period, highlighting the strategic military preparations made by the Tokugawa shogunate at that time.

Constructed under Katsu Kaishu's supervision beginning in 1864 at the behest of Matsudaira Katamori, the battery, named Kajihara Daiba, was intended for the defense of Kyoto from potential foreign incursions and to thwart the rebellious Choshu domain's advances into the region. The architectural design, known as the "ryōho style," included two artillery mounts and served a dual purpose of fortification and as a checkpoint connecting Kyoto to the western provinces, reflecting the significant military concerns that permeated the era.

Through archaeological investigations initiated in October as part of a city road construction project, key elements of the battery's construction were uncovered, including a moat and granite stone walls. Measurements indicated that these structures were consistent with the historic designs noted in old blueprints. This site has now gained importance as a testament to the Tokugawa shogunate’s military readiness, providing further context to the socio-political climate leading up to the fall of the shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration.