[Explanation]
Okayama Castle is a castle that Ukita used as a castle during the Sengoku Era. In the Edo era “Okayama clan 2nd lord “Ikeda Tsunamasa” is famous as the current “Japan Three Giant Gardens”, which landscaped as his own garden.

Currently Okayama Castle has become a nationally designated historic site, Ukita prospered to the extent of Ukita Naoya great prosperity. After that, when Hashidoba Hideyoshi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) fight against China, it decides to leave Mouri family and follow Oda. And it becomes the feudal era police rank of the Hideyoshi army in Chugoku region.

However, in Hideyoshi’s China supression war, in the Kyoto rebellion of Akechi Mitsuhide, the owner Oda Nobunaga will be killed. Hideyoshi suddenly leaves the Chinese province and heads to Kyoto and develops a battle of revenge of Nobunaga with Akechi Mitsuhide.

The battle ended with the victory of the Hideyoshi army, and from there it will be the way to unification of Hashiba Hideyoshi. In one incident, in Okayama castle Ukita Naoei died due to illness, and a son “Utaka Hideie” inherited the family headship.

Hideya was adopted by Hashiba Hideyoshi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and received the benefit from him. After that, he joined the unification of Hideyoshi ‘s Tenkai many times and is chosen as one of the five elderly. In addition to Hidemoto, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Maeda Toshiie, Mouri Terumoto, Uesugi Kagekatsu were appointed to five elderly people.

Under such circumstances, after the death of Hideyoshi, five leaders of Magistrate “Ishida Mitsunari” and “Tokugawa Ieyasu” relationship worsened and the battle of Sekigahara began, Hideyoshi who was deeply inferior to Hideie (Ishida Mitsunari Army), this will clarify the flag.

After all, the Battle of Tokugawa Ieyasu led by the Tokugawa victory, and the Hideya managed to get away from death only by Maeda’s desperate effort and finished with sacrifice to Hachijojima.

After that, To Okayama Castle, Kobayakawa Hidetaki, who went back from the West Army to the East Army at the Sekigahara battle, is enclosed. However, because Hidetako suddenly died young and there was no successor, it will be extinction of the house.

Next Ikeda family, Ikeda family is also a house that is in a relationship by marriage with the Tokugawa family, so it survives the Edo era without anything and they will approach the Meiji Restoration.

[Address,access]
2-3-1 Marunouchi North Ward Okayama City Okayama Prefecture 700-0823

[Map]

[Explanation]
Tsuyama castle was in Tsuyama-shi in Okayama prefecture. The ruins of the castle is registered as a national historic site. The form of the castle is flat mountain castle, and it is one of the three largest flat mountain castles in Japan. It is located in the center of Tsuyama basin, and Miyagawa river which is a branch river of Yoshii river and the natural cliffs of a hill are used as protection.

Yoshii river that runs on the south side of the castle and its branch river, Ida river, that runs on the west side are the outer fence, and inside there is a main part of the castle town. The Tenshu is a 4 tiered 5 story tower, and it is said that its was designed based on the castle tower of Ogura castle.

When Norikiyo Yamano, Shugo Daimyo of Mimasakanokuni (current Okayama prefecture), ordered Tadamasa Yamana to build Kakusan castle was the beginning of Tsuyama castle. However, the castle was destroyed when the Yamana family fell into decline after Onin War. In 1603, Tadamasa Mori moved to Tsuyama from Kawanakajima for 186 thousand Koku, and established Tsuyama domain.

※Tadamasa served Nobunaga at the incident of Honnoji, along with Ranmaru, Bomaru, and Rikimaru.

In the same year, Tadamasa started building Tsuyama castle and changed the name of the place from Kakuzan to Tsuyama. After 13 years, a large modern style castle that had 80 towers including 5 tiered castle tower, Yagura, and gates, was built.

The descendants of Mori-shi continued to die at early an early age, and in 1697, the head of the domain at that time had a mental instability that led to the extinction of the family line. In 1698, Nobutomi Matsudaira (the Echizen family) moved from Echigo Takada domain for 100 thousand Koku, and became the owner of the castle until the Meiji restoration.

Bicchu Yogura has been restored, and it was registered as the 67th castle of Japan’s 100 famous castles. A replicated castle tower was also built temporality and it’s been attracting many tourists in the recent years.

The ruins of the castle is now a park called Kakuzan Park, and it has been famous for cherry blossoms.

※67th of Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address,access]
135 Sange, Tsuyama-shi, Okayama 708-0022

[Map]

[Description]
After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Bingo Fukuyama Castle was established after the Battle of Sekigahara, and after that, it was built in the period when the Tokugawa rule became a stone through the’ Osaka camp’, and in the 8th year Genna era (1622), Mizuno Katsushige, a fudai daimyo (a daimyo in hereditary vassal to the Tokugawa shogunate), entered the castle as the lord of Fukuyama Domain with 10 koku, and at the same time, he began to build the castle in

Fukuyama Castle is said to have been a very gorgeous structure as a mountain layer of the castle wall, and as the whole nation has been subdued, it was sealed by the Mizuno family as a control against the domains of Saigoku, and after that, Fukuyama Castle was replaced by Abe family from the Mizuno family, and the lord of the castle, instead of the Abe family, came to the Meiji Restoration.

At the end of the Edo period, Fukuyama Castle, a fudai daimyo (a daimyo of hereditary vassal to the Tokugawa shogunate), had been attacked by the Choshu army, and a portion of the castle disappeared, and the 2 existing turrets and gates were designated national important cultural properties (Fushimiyagura and Sujiteki-gokado), and at present, it was designated as a national historic site (Fushimiyagura, Sujiteki-gokado), and it was also selected as a national historic site, and many tourists visited the castle in the seventy first place of the 100 castles.

[Address access]
720 Marunochi, Fukuyama City, Fukuyama City, Fukuyama city 1-8, 0061

[Map]

[Description]
Hiroshima Castle, a castle built by Terumoto Mori in Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, was built in Nakasu, Otagawa, which flows into Hiroshima Bay. Considering the importance of trade and transportation from the sea, and it was relocated from the typical Kōriyama Castle, a mountain castle that Motonari Mori had been based for many years.

The castle also existed as Mahadeva no kami (the Governor of the Palace Guards) and Koten no mori (the governor of Kotenshu), and it was a castle of the rank that was suitable for the generations of the Mori family, but Terumoto was appointed as the commander of the West squad by Mitsunari Ishida during the Battle of Sekigahara, and during the battle, Hideyori Toyotomi was buried in the Siege of Osaka Castle, where Hideyori Toyotomi had been defeated, and Ieyasu headed for Osaka-jo Castle.

On the other hand, Terumoto was pressured to leave the castle by Ieyasu and returned to Hiroshima, and after that, Ieyasu’s award of merit was given to him, and the Mori family was removed from 1,200,000 koku to 20,000 koku, and the family was removed from the territory to 360,000 koku, and the salary of the vassals was reduced to 1/4, and the home ground was moved from Hiroshima to Hagi.

After the Mori family came back, the battle of Sekigahara was held in Hiroshima, where the battle of Sekigahara was fought, and Masanori had a family name on the Tokugawa side in’ Osaka no Jin’ (The Siege of Osaka), which broke out in Keichou Era 19th year (in 1614) and in Keichou Era 20th year (in 1615). The Toyotomi regime that Toyotomi Hideyoshi built up here will disappear

After that, Ieyasu handed over the head of the family to Hidetada, who succeeded to the throne, and Hidetada was appointed as Seii Taishogun (literally, “great general who subdues the barbarians”), but it remained stubbornly broken by the Tokugawa family, and Masanori submitted a notification to the Shogunate to repair the Hiroshima Castle, but he did not know anything about it, but he did the construction of the castle without knowing it somehow.

As a result of this, the Fukushima family had been removed from the Hiroshima Castle and decided to withdraw from the castle to Kawanakajima 45,000 koku. Masanori was said to have abandoned everything and did not resist the shogunate side, and it is said that “there is no loan to Hidetada in order to lend it to the shogunate,” and it is said that “there is no way to lend money to the Ieyasu public,” but it is said that it is actually close to the kaieki (forfeit of a fief) in order to transfer it to Kawanakajima.

The Asano family was entered into the Hiroshima Castle after the Fukushima family moved out of order, and the Meiji era immediately came to an end, and the current Hiroshima Castle Tenshu (the castle tower) had disappeared during the war, and it was a restored Tenshu by reinforced concrete, and Hiroshima Castle was selected as the “73rd famous castle of Japan’s 100 castles”.

[Address, access]
21-1 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima 730 – 0011

[Map]

[Description]
Onomichi Castle, located in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a building modeled after modern castle, castle tower which was built in the Showa period, and built a mock tower on the third layer and third floor of reinforced concrete, mainly as a part of the tourism business.

Although there is a castle ruins in the city, this castle remains unrelated to this castle site. It is said that it is not currently used in any way.

[Address, access]
Onomichi City Sangenyacho, Hiroshima Prefecture

[Map]

[Description]
Hagi Castle, also called 「Shizuki castle」 was a castle that had a government office of Choshu Domain. Although it was destroyed by the ordinance of retired castle in the early Meiji period, there are still many old pictures. At the end of the Edo period, many students of 「Shoka Sonjuku」 who had received the teachings of 「Shoin Yoshida」 became the forerunners of the Toubaku (Attack on the Shogunate) and many had lost their lives.

・Kusaka Genzui
・ Shinsaku Takasugi
・ Toshimaro Yoshida
・ Irie Kuichi
・Matsuura Shodo
・ Shousuke Nakatani
・ Kumajiro Ariyoshi
・Sugiyama Matsusuke
・ Seihaku Iida

The Mori family originally shifted its base from 「Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle」 to 「Hiroshima Castle」, and was a great feudal lord who governed the Chugoku region. However, due to the defeat in the battle of Sekigahara during Keicho 5th Year (1600), it will be sealed from Tokugawa Ieyasu to two provinces of Suo and Nagato. In addition, it was ordered by the Shogunate to put the castle in the remote area of the Sea of Japan, 「Hagi」 and it was the very height of humiliation even below a Daimyo. The humiliation fared through the Edo period for about 250 years without forgetting, and finally, at the end of the Edo period, the long-standing resentment towards the shogunate exploded.

In particular, young feudal retainers led the “Sonno Joi” (Slogan Advocating Reverence for the Emperor and Expulsion of Foreigners), and the idea changed midway to 「Attack on the Shogunate」. Meanwhile Hagi Castle is composed of the inner citadel which is built in the delta surrounded by Matsumoto River and Hashimoto River, at the summit of the Shizuki Mountain and the main citadel, outer citadel, and outermost region at the base of the mountain.

The current site of Hagi Castle is being established as Shizuki Park, and some of the outer citadel, the main gate of the outermost region are restored. They are also tourist attractions, along with Shoka sonjuku, Meirinkan ruins, and samurai residences. Furthermore, Hagi Castle (Shizuki Castle) has been selected as the seventy fifth (75th) famous castle of Japan 100 Castles.

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小説 吉田松陰（童門冬二）

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世に棲む日日（司馬遼太郎）

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小説 伊藤博文 幕末青春児（童門冬二）

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松下村塾（古川薫）

[Address,access]
1-1, Aza Horiuchi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, 758 – 0057, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

[Map]

[Description]
Ueshi Castle is a mountain castle located in Ueshi, Yurihama Town, Tohaku Gun, Tottori Province.
It is said that the castle was built by [Nanjo Sadamune] in Joji 5 year (1366).

When entering Sengoku Period, Mr. Amago went to Hoki Country, [Ueshi Castle] was also attacked and opened. Tenmon 9 year (1540), when Amago Haruhisa attacked Koriyama Castle, Mr. Nanjo also participated in the battle.

Tenmon 12 year (1543), [Nanjo Sosho] helped [Ouchi Yoshita] at attacking [Gassan Toda Castle] (the main castle of Mr. Amago. After that, Sosho followed Mouri Motonari and in Eiroku 5 year (1562), he recaptured Hoki from Mr. Amago.

Tensho 3 year (1575) autumn, when Najo Sosho died, his son [Mototsugu] inherited, and they were close to Mr. oda. Since Tensho 8 year (1580), Mr. Nanjo was fighting with Mr. Mouri. And he aso helped [Hashiba Hideyoshi] to attack Tottori Castle.

Tensho 12 year (1584), when Oda Nobunaga died, [Hashiba Hideyoshi] signed alliance with [Mouri Terumoto], and Mr. Nanjo was given East Hoki 3 Guns. However, after that he did not give up recapturing Yabase Castle and finally succeeded in recovering all of old people.

Tensho 19 year (1591), Nanjo Mototsugu died, his son [Mototada] inherited. Keicho 5 year (1600), [Nanjo Mototada] belonged to the West army at the Battle of Sekigahara, and because the West lost the battle, his territories were forfeited and furthermore, Ueshi Castle was abandoned, and Mr. Nanjo was replaced.

Keicho 19 year (1614), Mototsugu joined [Osaka Winter Jin] with most old vassals, he was found that he was close to Mr. Tokugawa’s [Todo Takatora] so he killed himself at Osaka Castle. Therefore, Mr. Nanjo was never able to recover the Daimyo title.

A simulated Tenshu of Ueshi Castle is built on the current castle ruins, and stones are left.

[Address,access]

〒689-0733 Ueshi, Yurihama Town, Tohaku Gun, Tottori Province
[Map]

[Description]
Bicchutakamatsu Castle is famous for having been flooded by Hideyoshi Hashiba. It is often referred to as “Flooded Takamatsu Castle”. It is currently located in Kita-Ku, Okayama-Shi, Okayama. At the time of the attack by Hideyoshi Hashiba, it was very difficult to attack the castle because it was in a wetland. There was mud and swamp surrounding the castle.

The owner of the castle, Muneharu Shimizu didn’t accept a summons to surrender from Hideyoshi and he pledged loyalty to the Mouri clan. Once the castle was flooded because of Kurodakanzei’s strategy, Muneharu committed harakiri in exchange for Hideyoshi sparing the lives of his soldiers and citizens.

At the same time, the Honno-jo incident was breaking out in the capital city and Mitsuhide Akechi already killed Nobunaga Oga who was Hideyoshi’s master.Hideyoshi went hurriedly to a reconciliation with the Mouri clan and so that he could avenge his master’s lord’s death.

He defeated Mitsuhide Akechi at the battle of Yamazaki and named himself the successor of the Nobunaga clan. On the other hand, Takamatsu castle was settled to become a part of Ukita territory and Nasanari Hanabusa was became the owner after a reconciliation with the Mouri clan. In 1600, the battle of Sekigahara broke out and Motohide Hanabusa was appointed to be the new owner. However, Bicchutakamatsu Castle became a deserted castle after an order of Ikkoku-Ichijo announced.

The embankment that Hideyoshi built, the monument of Muneharu-jijin, and burial mounds still remain in current castle ruins. It is designated as a historical park and its moat and earthwork continue to be maintained.

[Access,address]
558-2 Takamatsu Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama-ken 701-1335

[Map]

[Description]
Shikano Castle is a flat-mountain castle located in Shikano-cho Tottori-shi, Tottori today. In 1580, Oda clan took control after Hideyoshi Hashiba attacked Tottori Castle and Korenori Kamei, long-time minister and a samurai who served Hideyoshi was appointed to rule the castle.

Korenori served Hideyoshi after Honno-ji Incident, joined West forces in the battle of Sekigahara and because a daimyo with 38,000 goku. It was this period when Shikano Castle became modernized.

But after they were forced to move to Tsuwano Castle when 2nd generation of Kamei clan was in control, Ikeda clan from Tottori took control of Shikano Castle and they chose their people to rule the castle.

[Address,access]
Shikano Shikano-cho Tottori-shi, Tottori 689-0405

[Map]

[Explanation]
Matsue castle was a flat mountain castle that was located in Matsue-shi in Shimane prefecture. It is also called Chidori castle. There is a castle tower that still exists, and it is registered as an important cultural property of the country and the castle ruin is registered as a national historic site. It was also chosen 64th in Japan’s 100 famous castles.

Tadauji Horio became the owner of Gassantoda castle in 1600 after the battle of Sekigahara. But Gassantoda castle was originally Amago-shi’s residence and it was not suited for the construction of a modern style castle town, so the ruins of Suetsugu castle became an option to construct a modern style castle.

In 1607 the construction began on mount Kameda, where Suetsugu castle existed. And in the winter of 1611, the construction of Matsue castle was completed (Yoshiharu Horio had died in June right before its completion). In 1633 after Tadaharu Horio’s death, Horio-shi was subject to Kaieki since there was no successor.

In 1634 Kyogoku Tadataka became the owner. During Kyogoku’s period, Sannomaru that still exists was built and Matsue castle was completed. In 1637, Kyogoku-shi ended because Tadataka Kyogoku did not have any successor.

Naomasa Matsudaira became the owner in 1638, and the Matsudaira family continued to govern the region until the Meiji restoration. It flourished as a center of economics in Izumo region during Edo period. But Matsue castle was destroyed in Meiji.

In 1960, a part of Honmaru was restored, and in 1994 the pathway that connects Sannomaru and Ninomaru, and a gate bridge were also restored. in 2000, South Yagura and a part of the moat, and in 2001 Naka Yogura and Taiko Yagura, and another part of the moat were restored as well.

The castle ruin is used as a park called Matsue Shiroyama Park. Matsue castle was the only castle that had a castle tower that adopted the construction style of early Edo period.

※The picture shows Matsue castle that was registered as the 64th castle of Japan’s 100 famous castles

[Address,access]
1-5 Tonomachi, Matsue-shi, Shimane 690-0887

[Map]

[Explanation]
Tsuwano castle was a mountain castle located in Tsuwano in Shimane prefecture. It is a typical mountain castle that was built at the top of a mountain that was 367m, and it was located in the south west side of Tsuwano basin. During Kamakura period, in 1283, Yoriyuki Yoshimi came to this area to protect the along the coast of the west Iwami region.

The construction of the castle began in 1295, and it was completed in 1324. After the completion Yoshimi-shi continued to govern this region for 14 generations. Yoshimi-shi belonged to Ouchi-shi during the early Sengoku period, but towards the end of Sengoku period they belonged to Mori-shi. The 11th generation lord, Masayori Yoshimi, defeated Sue troops after the battle against Harukata Sue, who defeated Ouchi-shi, that went on for more than 100 days.

At that time Mori-shi supported Yoshimi, and from then on they belonged to Mori-shi, In 1600, the 14th generation lord, Hironaga Yoshimi, protected Osaka castle at the battle of Sekigahara. However, Mori-shi was defeated and Yoshimi-shi was sent to Hagi along with Mori-shi.

Instead Naomori Sakazaki, who belonged to the east troops, became the owner of the castle and started to remodel it. Demaru (small towers built onto and projecting from a larger castle) and Oribemaru were built, and the castle tower was also built in Ninomaru. In 1616 Naomori committed suicide at the incident of Senhime, and Sakazaki-shi was subject to Kaieki.

In 1617, Masanori Kamei became the owner of the castle. Hancho (domain office) was placed at Tsuwano basin. Since then until the Meiji restoration, the castle became the residence of 11 generations of Kamei-shi. In 1686, Tsuwano castle was hit by a lightening and burnt down, and it was never rebuilt.

In 1871 it was completely demolished, and on October 14th 1942, it was registered as a national historic site. On April 6th 2006, it as chosen as the 66th castle of Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address,access]
Ushiroda, Tsuwano, Kanoashi-gun, Shimane

[Map]

[Explanation]
Iwakuni Castle existed in Yokoyama, Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi.

In 1600 when Terumoto Mori lost the battle of Sekigahara, his territories were reduced drastically. Along with his territories his vassals’ salaries were reduced, and they moved to the castle for 30 thousand Koku.

It became the resident of Iwakuni at the beginning of Edo period, and Ninomaru, Kitanomaru, and Kuruwa were built surrounding Honmaru, along with Odoi (earth enclosure), in Yokoyama Castle, yamashiro (a castle on a moutain).

Honmaru had 4 tiered 6 story castle tower, but it was demolished when the castle was disposed, and Doi continued to exist as Jinya (guardroom). Kintai bridge was built across Kinu river, the river that divided the castle and the town of the castle, and it creates distinct scenery. The town of the castle was organized based on the paths of the bridge.

The ruins of Odoi is now a park called Kikko Park, and there is a imitation castle tower at the top of mount Yokoyama.

[Address,access]
3-chome Shiroyama, Yokoyama Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi 741-0081

[Map]

[Description]
Mihara Castle used to stand in current Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture It was called “Floating Castle” because it used to stand by the sea.
It was built by Kobayakawa Takakage, the third son of Mori Motonari. The Kobayakawa family originally used navy as its main power. So he built some castle to dominate the Seto Inland Sea. they were Takayama Castle, Nitakayama Castle, and Mihara Castle.

The Kobayakawa family had split into the Numata Kobayakawa family and the Takehara Kobayakawa family. Takakage united both families and became the head. In the 1st year of the Koji period (A.D.1555), his navy fought as the ace of Mori Navy and win the Battle on Itsukushima.

After that, he repaired Mihara Castle and developed the castle town. At that time, Oda Nobunaga ruled the center of Japan and sent his army to many areas. The Mori family fought with Hashiba Hideyoshi, who was in charge of uniting the Chugoku region for Nobunaga, again and again. Hideyoshi gradually invaded Mori estate.

While the battle, in the 10th year of the Tensho period, Oda Nobunaga was killed by his man Akechi Mitsuhide. Hideyoshi wanted to avenge for Nobunaga, so he made peace with the Mori family without telling the death.

Then Hideyoshi went back to Kyoto and defeated Mitsuhide in the Battle of Yamazaki. Later on, he defeated Shibata Katsuie and Takigawa Ichmasu, they had been a senior statesman of Nobunaga, too. He was gradually getting all of Japan.

The Mori family decided to join Hideyoshi group and worked for him in the conquest of Shikokus region and Kyusyu region. During the time, they moved their main home from Yoshida Koriyama Castle to Hiroshima Castle in Seto Inland Sea. Kobayakawa Takakage had worked well in many battles, so he got Chikuzen province and Najima Castle.

Furthermore, he invited Hideyoshi’s nephew Kobayakawa Hideaki as his heir to stabilize the family. In the 4th year of the Bunroku period (A.D.1595), he made Hideaki the head of the family and went back to Mihara Castle to retire. In the 2nd year of the Keicho period (A.D.1597), he died of a disease in Mihara Castle.

In the 5th year of the Keicho period (A.D.1600), during the Battle of Sekigahara, Hideaki defected to the eastern army, the Ieyasu side, and given Bizen Okayama Castle. However, later on, he died of illness in his youth. There was no heir in the Kobayakawa family, so it was deprived of their feudal estate and status.

On the other hand, the main branch of the Mori family lost 1/4 of their estate because they fought as the leader of the western army in the Battle of Sekigahara. Their home base, Hiroshima Castle, was given to Fukushima Masanori and they were forced to move to Hagi Castle, which was in the Japan Sea coast.

Regarding on Mihara Castle, the Fukushima family sent Masayuki, a son of Masanori, to rule it as branch castle. However, Tokugawa Ieyasu got all Japan and deprived feudal lords related to Hideyoshi of their feudal estates and statuses. The Fukushima family was not an exception. After all, Masanori lost Hiroshima Castle and was exiled to Kawanaka Jima. It happened in Tokugawa Hidetada period, the second shogun.

At Hiroshima Castle, Asano Nagaakira, the head of the Ki’i Wakayama domain. At Mihara Castle, a chief retainer of the Asano family got in charge. After that, the Asano family had been ruled the castles until the Meiji Restoration.

Now, in the ruin of Mihara Castle, there only a castle tower, a moat, stone walls, and turrets remain. The ruin has been repaired to be a park from 2004.

[Address,access]
723-0004 Yakata Town, Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 1-1-1

[Map]

[Description]
Hamada Castle is Hirayama Castle which was in Shimane Prefecture Hamada city Shrine town.
Due to the achievement of the team of Osaka “Shigeharu Furuta” entered this area at 54,000 Jewels from Ieyasu and built a castle and a castle town

A house fire broke out at the time of the second generation owner, Shigetsune Furuta, and was reformed. After that, after Matsudaira Yasuteru entered and five generations have passed, it will be appointed to the castle owner as the successor and the daimyo’s are switched one after another. The Hamada clan at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate was attacked by the Choshu clan led by Mr. Takeshi Matsudaira, who was the main owner, Masajiro Omura, dropped the castle and burned down Hamada castle.

The current Hamada Castle Ruins are maintained as “Shiroyama Park”, and there are remnants such as Stonawall and the foundation base. In 1967, the gate of Tsuwano clan samurai house was moved to the foot of Hamada castle site.

[Address,access]
123-1, Tatei District, Hamada city, Shimane Prefecture, 697-0027

[Map]

[Description]
Yoshida Koriyama Castle is a mountain castle located in Yoshida, Yoshida Town, Takada City, Aki, Hiroshima Province. The castle built year is unknown, but it is said that it was built by Mouri Tokichika.

At that time Koriyama Castle was one of the local people’s pavilion. The 12th master [Mouri Motonari] became the castle owner and started renovating the castle. As a former local ruler, Mouri sent his second son [Motoharu] to Mr. Yoshikawa, and third son [Takashige] to Mr. Kobayakawa, and gradually expanded their influence while continued to follow Mr. Ouchi of the West and Mr. Namago.

Tenmon 9 year (1540), when Motonari went to sleep at Mr. Ouchi’s place, Amago Haruhisa attacked with 30000 soldiers and he repulsed them gracefully. (Battle of Yoshida Koriyama) Koriyama Castle is thought to be greatly renovated around that time.
After this battle, Mr. Ouchi was betrayed by his vassal [Sue Harutaka], he gained the domination by adopting a young kid as an adopted child of Mr. Ouchi. Moronari thought it was a time, so he led Sue Harutaka’s army to Itsuku Island, and attacked by a small number of soldiers.

The action of Motonari was quick, he suppressed [Sanbonmatsu Castle]. In addition, he started to attack [Amago Yoshihisa].

From Eiroku 5 year (1562) to Eiroku 8 year (1565), Motonari enclosed Amago but eventually he surrendered Yoshihisa, and united Sanin. Because of that, Mr. Mouri was awarded 1200000 stones and became Daimyo.
After Motonari died, his grandson son Terumoto inherited. Hashiba Hideyoshi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi) dominated the country, and Mr. Mouri joined Toyotomi. In addition, along with Maeda Toshiie, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Uesugi Kagekatsu, Ukitashi Hideie were appointed five general officers.

On the other hand, Yoshida Koriyama Castle is located in the mountains and it is inconvenient for transportation, a new castle was built in Hiroshima. Tensho 19 year (1591), Hiroshima Castle was almost completed, Mr. Mouri, businessmen, own people all moved to Hiroshima Castle. Yoshida Koriyama Castle was abandoned.

However, it seems that after the relocation of Hiroshima Castle, Yoshida Koriyama castle was also being used. When entering Tokugawa Period, Keicho 20 year (1614), Yoshida Koriyama Castle was abandoned due to One Country One Castle Policy.

[Address,access]
〒731-0501 Yoshida Koriyama, Yoshida Town, Takada City, Aki, Hiroshima Province

[Map]

[Description]
Sato Kanayama Castle is a mountain castle located in Asaminami District, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Province. Jokyu 3 year (1221) after Jokyu Chaos, [Takeda Nobumitsu] built the castle under Takada Mountain.

However, Shoan 1 year (1299), it was attacked by [Taira Kazuie]. After that, [Sato Kanayama Castle] was built by [Takeda Nobumune] in the end of Kamakura Era.

When entering Muromachi Era, it was frequently attacked by Mr. Ouchi, and the relationship between Takeda Motoshige and Mr. Amago was increased. Eisho 14 year (1517), [Motoshige] died at the battle fighting with [Mouri Motonari].

After that, Mr. Takeda became weak. Tenmon 10 year (1541), Mori Motonari attacked Mr. Amago and the same year, Mr. Takeda was destroyed.

Because Motonari belonged to Mr. Ouchi, [Reize Takatoyo] was appointed as the castle officer. Tenmon 23 year (1554), Motonari launched a battle with Mr. Ouchi due to the internal conflict.

Mr. Ouchi surrendered to Mr. Mouri and opened Sato Kanayama Castle. After that, Mori Terumoto] moved main base to [Hiroshima Castle]. When the Battle of Sekigahara was finished, Sato Kanayama Castle was abandoned.

Nowadays, a hiking course is near that area, and bending wheel, moat, stone, well are left.

[Address,access]
〒731-0137 Yamamoto Town, Asaminami District, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Province

[Map]

[Description]
Numa Castle is a flatland-mountain castle located in Numa, East District, Okayama City, Okayama Province.

It is said that the castle was built by [Nakayama Nobumasa], the vassal of [Uragami Munekage]. Eiroku 2 year (1559), [Uragami Munekage] killed his adopted father Nobumasa and became castle owner.

After that, Okayama Castle was built and it was ruled by Naoie for 15 years until he moved the main castle. Naoie set Numa Castle and he used the strategy of [Tatsunokuchi Castle] won the battle of Mr. Mimura.

Keicho 6 year (1602), [Kobayakawa Hideaki] was transferred to Okayama Castle because of the military award he won at the Battle of Sekigahara, and Numa Castle was abandoned.There is almost nothing left on the current Numa Castle ruins.

[Address,access]
〒709-0621 1801 Numa, East District, Okayama City, Okayama Province

[Map]

[Introduction of Ouchi Shiyakata]
Ouchi Shiyakata was the residence of Mr. Ouchi which was located in Odonooji, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Province.
The 24th mater of Mr. Ouchi [Ouchi Hiroyo] established base in Yamaguchi, it was built by imitating Kyoto when he relocated. Therefore, there is [Kounomine Castle] behind the Pavilion.

Originally, it was only a pavilion that was surrounded by fences and moats, but gradually it expanded squirrels and foundations and began to play a role as a fortress. In Tenmon 20 year (1551), the master of that time [Ouchi Yoshitaka] ended up his own life due to the conspiracy of his vassal [Sue Takafusa].

After that, the new master of Mr. Ouchi, who was the younger brother of Outomo Sourin became [Ouchi Yoshinaga] who was adopted by Mr. Ouchi, entered Ouchi Shiyakata. In Kouji 2 year (1556), when [Mouri Motonari] attacked, Ouchi Yoshinaga abandoned Yamaguchi and escaped, and here Mr. Ouchi was destroyed.

Ouchi Shiyakata also finished its function, and [Mouri Takamoto] built Ouchi Yoshinaga’s bodhi to mourn him. Therefore, Ryufuku Temple is built. Now Ouchi Shiyakata is under refurbishment.

[Ouchi Shiyakata• Address• Access]
〒753-0034 57-3 Shimotatekoji, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Province

[Map of Ouchi Shiyakata]

[Introduction of Kowase Castle]
Kowase Castle is a flatland castle located in North District, Okayama City, Okayama Province.It is said that the castle was built by [Mimura Motochika] in order to prepare for the invasion from [Ukita Naoie] during Sengoku Era.

Tensho 10 year (1582), when Hashiba Hideyoshi’s Takamatsu Castle attacked, it became one of the seven border defense of Mori Terumoto, the castle owner [Inoue Arikage] led 800 soldiers to defend. Kikkawa Motoharu, Kobayakawa Takakage decided to withdraw due to Kowase Castle was isolated, but Arikage against the order and kept fighting with Hideyoshi army.

As a result, Owase Castle fell down and [Ukita Naoie] became the owner, he was absent from the castle for a while. In Keicho 6 year, Ukita Naoie’s vassal [Togawa Michiyasu] entered the castle and established clan. Castle was abandoned and a clan office was set up in Ninomaru, and carried out as Kowase Jinya.

Then Jinya street formed around Jinya and its surroundings. In Enpo 7 year (1679), the fourth leader of the domain [Togawa Yasukaze] died only at the age of 9, after that Mr. Togawa became discontinued and was replaced by someone else. After that for 20 years, it was ruled by Tenryo.

Genroku 12 year (1699), [Itakura Shigetaka] received 20000 stones and dominated Mr. Itakura until the end of Tokugawa Shogun. Nowadays, Sugayama Shrine is built on Kowase Jinya ruins, and some stones and moats are still left.

[Kowase Castle (Kowase Jinya)• Address• Access]
〒701-0153 829-5 Kowase, North District, Okayama City, Okayama Province

[Map of Kowase Castle (Kowase Jinya)]

[Introduction of Ashimori Jinya]
Ashimori Jinya is a camp of the domain in Ashimori located in Ashimori, North District, Okayama City, Okayama Province.
Keicho 6 year (1601), [Kinoshita Iesada] who kept neutral in the battle of Sekigahara was given 25000 stones by Tokugawa Ieyasu

It is said that the Jinya was refurbished by the fifth leader of the domain [Kinoshita Toshisada] during the period from Kanmon 2 year (1662) to Enpo 7 year (1679) as a full-fledged Jinya town. There were four children of the first generation of [Kinoshita Iesada], the eldest son [Katsutoshi] accepted 62000 stones at Obama Clan, Wakasa Country; the second son [Toshifusa] had 30000 stones at Takahama, Wakasa Country; the third son [Nobutoshi] was the leader of Himeji Castle; and the youngest brother [Hideaki (Kobayakawa Hideyaki)] was adopted by Mr. Kobayakawa.

Keicho 5 year (1600), in the battle of Sekigahara, both brothers were divided into West Army and East Army and fought. Katsutoshi escaped from the defense of Fushimi Castle and Obama fell; the second son [Toshifusa] belonged to the West Army, he helped East Army [Maeda Toshinaga] when attacking Daisho Temple and got demoted later. The third son [Nobutoshi] belonged to the East Army all the time and was given 30000 stones of Hiji Castle later.

On the other hand, [Kinoshita Iesada] survived the family because he kept neutral without belonging to either the West or the East Army. Those brothers who lost their territory escaped to the Ashimori which belonged to the father, but they conflicted with each other at the family inheritance after the death of Iesada. As a result, Kinoshita family was taken by someone else.

After that, since Kinoshita Toshifusa belonged to [Tokugawa Ieyasu] at [Osakano Jin] in Keicho 19 year (1614), he won the battle in Genwa 2 year (1616) and received 25000 stones. He entered Ashimori for the award and the family influence was rebuilt. The land of Ashimori was governed by Mr. Kinoshita, and Meiji Restoration entered at the era of the 11th leader of the domain [Toshiyuki].

※ Statue of [Ogata Oan], a Ran student from Ashimori Clan

Nowadays, a garden is built on Jinya ruins and some moats and stones are left. No building remains are left.

[Ashimori Jinya• Address• Access]
〒701-1463 801 Ashimori, North District, Okayama City, Okayama Province

[Map of Ashimori Jinya]