[Explanation]
Goryokaku in Hakodate City, Hokkaido is Japan’s first Western style archway. It was built under the design of “Takeda Kazaburo” in order to combat the foreign threat from the northern part of the Edo era at the end of the Tokugawa period. As a feature of Hakodate Goryokaku, it is a castle of five stars, each of which has a cannon placed at the tip of each and it was possible to bombard each direction.

In the midst of the Tokugawa shogunate, the shogunate was going to appoint a substitute officer to the Hakodate magistrate office but “Tokugawa Yoshinobi” announced the reconciliation and abandoned the administration, a substitute was newly assigned by the new government army. At that time, the former shogunate troops in various places were dissatisfied with the reconciliation of the Great Government of Keikyu, the battle of Toba Fushimi broke out by the former shogunate army, which is the main force of the new government forces and the Aizu, Kuwana, Shinsengumi etc. Major Shogunate Army, the shogunate army is withdrawn and retreats to Osaka Castle.

Tokushige Yoshinobi “, the key to the recursion at Osaka Castle, is going to escape with leaving the vice president to Edo. This destroys the authority in the West, finally the scouting forces and sweeping forces to various places were organized in order to eliminate the former shogunate forces. Higashiyama Army • Tokaido Army, which began advancing towards Edo, arrived in Edo while absorbing it by surrendering, casting and casting the former shogunate castle in various places. Here, a meeting was held for famous Edo castle bleeding by Takamori Saigo and Katsu Kai. As a result, Edo castle attacks were canceled and the town of Edo was able to escape from the battle.

※Hakodate magistrate place

Meanwhile, a part of the former shogunate army that complained about this escaped from Edo and headed toward Boso and Northeast. A part of the former shogunate army that remained in Edo lived in Ueno and was referred to as “Akikei” and had a conflict with the new government forces. And eventually the Ueno war broke out with the morale of “Omura Masujiro” and the battle of only one day “Azusa” will be destroyed.

“Takeaki Enomoto” of the former Shogunate Army Vice Governor was also dissatisfied, aiming for Sendai one step after taking the shoguns of the survivors and dissatisfaction of these priests. The remnants of the former shogunate army who showed resistance in various places also faced Utsunomiya fight, Nagaoka castle fight, Aizu Wakamatsu fight and lost to Sendai Road Sendai.

Here the old shogunate navy and the army live wreckage gathered to Sendai, Enomoto housed the former shogunate soldiers in each warship to realize the dream of the development of the Ezo land, which had been conceived for a while, to Ezo (Hokkaido Hakodate) I headed. The new government forces that had already dominated the Ezo land and the only clan “Hatsukaido clan” which was the first to be appointed to the new government forces quickly grabbed the Enomoto fleet, but withdrew to the Aomori, despite being defeated.

Thus, Enomoto Takeo established the “Ezo Republic” in Meiji 2. At one time other countries also recognized this as an independent country. The former shogunate army led by Enokoto prepares for battle against the new coming government forces by arranging maintenance of each of the turret and construction of “four quadrils” and Benten Daiba, Matsumae garrison, Esashi garrison etc. on the coast.

■ For details of the four quadrants from here
http://www.jp-history.info/castle/330.html

※Shiryokaku

In the spring of Meiji 2, the new government army arrived at the Tsugaru Strait and finally started to exploit Ezo. Although it was a good fight in the first game, it was Enomoto Army but lost warships in an unfortunate manner, deprived of the sea power, pushing by the new government army boasting overwhelming military power even in land, finally deciding to surrender within Goryokaku. Surviving in a number of fierce battles, “Shinsengumi” who has been seeking a fighting place to Goryokaku, “Hijikata Kozo” realizes that even if it surrenders it cannot escape from severe punishment, it can be said that he is reckless himself he makes an assault.

※New Goryokaku Tower

The building of the Hakodate magistrate office was a high building at that time and it seems that it became the target of the ship fire shooting from Hakodate Bay. The dream of the development of the Ezo land to feed the former clerk and its family by Enomoto battle was destroyed here. Hakodate Goryokaku is designated as “Japan 100 Great castle No. 2”.

In addition to the Hakodate Goryokaku, there is another Goryokaku in Japan, and it is called “Tatsuoka Goryakaku”. This Goryokaku exists in Shinshu Saku.

■ For more information about Tatsutaoka Goryokaku
http://www.jp-history.info/castle/378.html

※Tatsutaoka Goryokaku

[Address,access]
Hakodate City Goryokaku Town, Hokkaido 040-0001

[Map]

[Explanation]
Aizuwakamatsu Castle located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a historic castle that is now crowded with many tourists. Muromachi era “Masao” was ruling over this place for generations, but it was captured by “Date Masamune” which continued to expand the territory from Yonezawa at the end of Sengoku Era. Aizuwakamatsu castle at this time was called “Kurokawa castle”.

After that, the central unification of “Toyotomi Hideyoshi” advanced in the middle of Japan, and its influence was also spreading to the Ouu district. Hideyoshi had declared “a war on me a battle prohibition” to the whole country under the name of the champion of the world, but Shimazu in Kyushu and Nagamori in Shikoku etc did not obey it. Masamune ignored this proclamation and promoted unification of Oku, finally succeeded in breaking the largest rival Aizu of Ashina and putting the ground under the influence.

Meanwhile, the state of the world has spread to the northern end Ouuwa district of Japan depends on Hideyoshi ‘s unification of Kyushu and Unification of Shikoku, and finally the pre – eminent Kanto “Hojo attack” began. Masamune was also doubting about himself until the last moment Hojo attacks were done, but eventually he joined Hojo to attack Hideyoshi and thanked his minister.

However, Hideyoshi does not completely trust Masamune, but confiscates the land of Aizu which Masamune himself cut out, and decides to move the headquarters to Iwadeyama castle. In the field of Aizu as a role of monitoring and supervising that politician, the former ‘Matsuzaka Castle Owner’, a senior son-in-law of Oda Nobunaga, has been appointed.

The land of Aizu is said to have been called Wakamatsu by Township. However, Shigo unfortunately suffered young at the age of the disease and the young successor to the Gamo family will be succeeded by Hideyuki Gamo. The second lord lord “Hideyuki” was still childish, so he could not rule over his family, and the house fuss also broke up and it was moved to country of San’s Utsunomiya.

The next largest family of Echigo who came in Aizu this time is “Uesugi Kagekatsu”, one of the five elderly people who succeeded the Uesugi Kenshin ruins. Uesugi was the greatest stonewall of Tohoku and was assigned as a suppression of Masamune. In such circumstances, the most famous “battle of Sekigahara” broke out in history in the fifth year of Keicho (1600 years). This race occurred in the form of Uesugi Kenkatsu opposing the exclusive domineering of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the battle became a massive battle in the form of bisecting Japan nationwide.

The warfare such as Uesugi Kanbaku and Ishida Mitsunari was lost to Ieyasu Tokugawa by this battle, and the Uesugi family also become allegiance. And from Aizu 1.2 million Jewels to Yonezawa 300 thousand Jewels, Uesugi vassal group goes to Yonezawa and retreats. After that, when the Gamo family returned as a lord of Aizu, but Tadasato who succeeded Hideyuki died, because there was no inheritance, it is declined and it is regarded as a transference to Iyo Matsuyama.

After that, it was Hideyoshi’s surviving daimyo “Kato Yoshiaki” who reigned the land of Aizu. The Kato family entered the Aizu site with 400,000 Jewels. However, at the Kato family after the death of Kaohi, the house riot is constantly finally decided, the ordinary child of Shogun Tokugawa Shogun Hidetada entered with Aizu 230,000 stones, then renamed to Matsudaira) will govern.

At the end of the Tokugawa period, a battle took place between the new government army and the former shogunate army in various places, and call it “Boshin War”. After the battle of Toba Fushimi, the battle of Koshu Katsunuma, the battle of Akeni Ueno, the battle of Utsunomiya by the former shogunate deserting army, the battle of Nagaoka, the battleground finally came close to Aizu castle. The Aizu clan sent regular forces to various places, and only a few old soldiers and young soldiers remained in the castle.

The Aizu clan who received the raid was pushed by the new government forces boasting overwhelming military power in various places, and finally the battle shifted to the basketball game. Although the Aizu clan often fought well well, it is surrounded many times by the new government forces gathered from the whole country, and it will surrender to the Kaijo until now. In addition, it is said that this is the most tragic event in this battle, anecdotes of “Byakkotai” which left their name until posterity remain. The young clans of 16 to 18 years old misunderstood that the castle fell as a result of seeing the fire in the burning castle town, and it was self-edging.

Even now, near the castle of Aizu, “Iimoriyama” has a tomb of Byakkotai built and many people are visiting. Meanwhile, Aizu Wakamatsu Castle was torn down in the early Meiji era because it was subjected to heavy attacks during the Boshin War but it was rebuilt as “Restored castle tower” in the Showa era. Currently, Aizuwakamatsu Castle is selected as “Japan 100 Great castle No. 12th”.

[Address,access]
1-1, Ochiai Town, Aizuwakamatsu city, Fukushima Prefecture, 965-0873

[Map]

[Explanation]
There are various stories regarding Temenobu Oura’s birthplace, it is said that he could be a son of Morinobu Oura, or Kuji castle’s owner, Kuji-shi’s son. In the recent years he is considered to be from the Oura family.

In 1571 there was a battle in the Nanbu family between Harumasa Nanbu and Nobunao Ishikawa, and at that time Tamenobu Oura started to expand his power, cutting off the Ishikawa family’s territory in Tsugaru region.

After Harumasa’s death, Harutsugu Nanbu became the head of the family but he died at the age of 14. Because of this, there was a battle within the family to decide the next successor of Harutsugu, and there was a battle between Sanechika Kunohe and Nobunao Ishikawa, and eventually Nobunao Ishikawa became the next successor of the Nanbu family.

At that time Tamenobu Oura was considered as an enemy because he was supporting the Kunohe side, and he was becoming isolated. Tamenobu started to expand his power in Tsugaru region when the Kunohe family and Nobunao Nanbe were fighting against each other.

At that time Hideyoshi Toyotomi was in midst of the unification of the country, and Tamenobu tried to be close to Hideyoshi Toyotomi by going through Mitsunari Ishida and even though he went through many obstacles he successfully managed to become close to him.

In 1590 Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s siege of Odawara started, and Tamenobu received an audience by Hideyoshi, receiving the certificates of Shoryo Ando (acts providing authorization for land ownership and guaranteeing feudal tenure).

He then became Daimyo who was independent from Nanbu-shi, and changed his name from Tamenobu Oura to Tamenobu Tsugaru. In 1594, Tamenobu built Horikoshi castle and moved there from Oura castle, but decided to built another castle in Takaoka (current Hirosaki castle) because it was not suited for military matters.

In 1600 when he decided to be on the East troops (Tokugawa side) at the battle of Sekigahara, he received 2 thousand Koku from Ieyasu Tokugawa, and Hirosaki domain was established. At Hirosaki castle, only Honmaru is made with stone walls and other constructions including Kuruwa was made from Dorui. The castle tower was 5 tiered initially but it was burnt down by a lightening.

The current Tenshu was built when Honmaru’s Tatsumi Yagura was remodeled at the end of Edo period.

■ The remodeling of Hirosaki castle’s stone walls was started for the first time in 100 years
http://youtu.be/Fz80xhGsCe4

In 2014 after Hirosaki’s cherry blossom festival ended, the remodeling of the stone walls in Hirosaki castle had started. Hirosaki castle Tenshu is being moved 70m towards north west from its current position, using Hiyaki method, without being dismantled.

Hiyaki started in the summer of 2015, and it will take at least 5 years to be finished. The remodeling happened first time in 100 years, and this remodeling of 3 tiered important cultural treasure is considered very rare in the whole country.

[Address,access]
1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori 036-8356

[Map]

[Description of the castle]
Ichinoseki Castle was a castle in Tsuriyama, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, as a branch domain of the Sendai Domain, and it was close to the building (Jinya) rather than a castle, but it built a moat, and the Tenshu was not no longer built in the Honmaru but it was a territory of the Katsurakasai clan during the Sengoku period (period of warring states), and the Katsurakasai clan did not participate in the’ Odawara Conquest’ of Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI, and after that, Hideyoshi’s favorite retainer,’ Kimura Son’, received the territory of the Kasai clan.

However, Kimura and his father and son were responsible for the uprising by the remnants of the Kasai clan, and after that, when “Date Masamune” moved from Iwadeyama Castle to Sendai, the Castle was incorporated into the territory of the Date family, and the family of the family of the Date family was appointed as the lord of the Date family, but the Tamura family was a legitimate wife of Masamune DATE. * By the way, the Tamura family was a legitimate wife of Masamune DATE, the third koku.

The Tamura clan did not enter the residence of Tsuriyama where the Kasai clan and the Rusa clan resided, and built a Jinya at the foot of the fishing mountain, where the Tamura clan served as the lord of the castle throughout the Edo period, and the Meiji Restoration came to the end of the Edo period.

The Tamura family was a branch domain of the Date family, but it was treated as daimyo (feudal lord) by the Edo bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun), and “the old Seki Castle Remains” is now Tsuriyama Park.

[Address,access]
Ichinoseki City Castle, Iwate Prefecture

[Map]

[Description]
Hanamaki Castle was a castle located in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. Until the end of the Sengoku period (period of Warring States), the 「Hienuki clan」 ruled this area for generations. After the conquest of Hojo in Tenshō Era 18th Year (1590), Toyotomi Hideyoshi went to Aizu for the subjugation of Ōshū (Mutsu Province). However, the majority of Ōu in this period took a submissive stance towards Hideyoshi, and did not do large-scale battles, but only dealings with the young daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) of the Ōu Province, the security of the territories and so on.

Hanamaki-jo Castle 「Hienuki clan」, which was deprived of its family as well as the confiscation of its territory due to the Ōshū Execution, caused an uprising to recapture its old territory, along with the Waga clan, who had also been deprived of their fief. 「The Battle of Sekigahara」 incident broke out in the middle of the fifth year of the Keichō Era (1600). However, the uprising was suppressed, and Hienuki forces • Waga forces were incorporated into the Nanbu Clan territory, which was based in Morioka. Then a senior vassal 「Kita Hidechika」 of the Nanbu Clan, entered into the castle as a castle keeper.

*Main Citadel Site

The Kita House developed the Hanamaki Castle and Castle Town until around the 18th Year of Keichō Era (1613), and when the head of the Kita House died, the Feudal Lord 「Nanbu Toshinao」 gave the second son 「Masanao」 20,000 Koku (Measure of volume) and made him the lord of Hanamaki Castle. After that, Hanamaki-jo Castle was an exempted from the 「Ikkoku Ichijo Rei」 (an ordinance of the Ikkoku Castle), and throughout the Edo period, Castle keepers for the Morioka Domain were established for generations, as they welcomed the Meiji Restoration.

The structure of the castle was two layers, two stories, the main citadel at the center, surrounded by outer citadel and the outermost region of the castle, Samurai residences stood around the outer moat of the outermost region, and the castle town was formed around it. The castle was destroyed due to the 「Haijo Rei」 (Decree of the Retired Castle) in the Meiji period, but at present, Toya Gasaki-koen Park was built at the site of the inner citadel, and the inner citadel Nishi Mikado was rebuilt in Heisei Era.

*Enjō-ji Temple

[Address,access]
Hanamaki City Inside Castle, Iwate Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, 025 – 0076

[Map]

[Description]
Hasedo Castle is a mountain castle located in Hasedo, Yamagata City, Yamagata Province. The castle built time is unknown, but it is recorded that [Date Tanemune] attacked Hasedo Castle, the important sub-castle of Mr. Mogami, and they signed alliance.

Keicho 5 year (1600), when the Battle of Sekigahara occurred, [Mogami Yoshimitsu] who belonged the East army was attacked by [Naoe Kanetsugu] who belonged to the West.

[Hasedo Castle] was on the way and they fought fiercely around the castle. (The Battle of Hasedo Castle) The castle owner of Hasedo Castle was [Shimura Akiyasu] and he stayed in the castle with roughly 1000 stones. Hasedo Castle was strong, and on top of that there was marshland around the castle.

When Ishida Mitsunari’s army was defeated, [Nao Kanetsugu] decided to escape to Aizu Castle. After the battle, [Saka Akihide] was appointed as the castle owner and after him his son [Saka Akishige] inherited.

Genwa 8 year (1622) Mr. Mogami’s family had some conflict, and [Mogami Yoshitoshi] was replaced and their territories were forfeited. Hasedo Castle was also forfeited by Uesugi Kagekatsu and later it was damaged.

A [Castle Park] is built on the current castle ruins and the castle remaining has nothing left.

[Address,access]
〒990-2363 176 Hasedo, Yamagata City, Yamagata Province

[Map]

[Explanation]
Yonezawa Castle was a flat castle that existed in Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata prefecture. It was the Date family’s base during Sengoku period, and Masamune Date was born in this castle in the late Sengoku period. Masamune rapidly expanded his power.

in 1589 Masamune defeated his largest enemy, Ashina-shi at Aizu (Kurokawa Castle), and became the supreme ruler of the Ouu region. However, Hideyoshi Toyotomi ruled the Tenka in the central region at that time, and he had issued Shobu jirei (peace edicts).

The Ashina family was already Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s retainer, so the Kurokawa Castle was taken away from Masamune and Yonezawa Castle became his base again, and then after that Iwadeyama Castle became his base because of Hideyoshi order. On the other hand, Ujisato Game was appointed as the castle owner in AIzu, and Kagekatsu Uesugi changed his territory to Aizu after Ujisato had passed away. Yonezawa Castle was then owned by Kanetsugu Naoe as a branch castle of Uesugi-shi.

in 1600 when Ieyasu Tokugawa arrived at Koyama to fight Uesugi-shi, in Osaka Mitsunari Ishida declared to fight against Ieyasu and the battle of Sekigahara occured.

The west troops led by Mitsunari Ishida was defeated in a day by Ieyasu Tokugawa, and Mitsunari was beheaded. Masamune Date and Yoshiaki Mogami attacked Aizu, but Kamisugi-shi managed to repel them thanks to Kanetsugu Naoe’s actions. As a result Uesugi-shi lost against Ieyasu Tokugawa, and he was moved to Yonezawa for 10 thousand stones from Aizu for 1.2 million stones as he expressed his obedience to Ieyasu, and ruled Yonezawa throughout Edo period.

Due to the domain’s sudden death at the beginning of Edo period, it became 15 thousand stones from 30 thousand stones, and they barely managed to keep the family name. At the end of Edo period, Uesugi fought against the new government troops but he was defeated and expressed his obedience. There is Uesugi Shrine at the Honnmaru ruins of Yonezawa Castle now, and the castle ruins is was developed as a park called Matsugasaki Park.

※Harunori Uesugi, who rebuilt the finance of the domain during mid Edo period

[Address,access]
1 Marunouchi, Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata 992-0052

[Map]

[Explanation]
Masaki Castle is flatland mountain castle in Masaki town, Masaki district, Hokkaido.
Another name is also called “Fukuyama castle”.

Kakizaki who was originally a vassal of the southern family is located in Kawauchi Town, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, and it is said that Kakizaki Castle was made the here. After that, “Kakizaki Nobuzumi” caused a disturbance in the southern family, “Nanbu Seikei” tracked down and killed Nobuzumi, Nobuzumi sought asylum to Masaki Karakumo.

The ancestor of Kakizaki Nobuzumi is also said to be Wakasa Takeda (Genji), before Nobuzumi, Kakizaki Uji had claimed Takeda surname. Kakizaki Nobuzumi who sought asylum to Matsumae gradually strengthened the base in this area, and in the Sengoku Era he was brought up to the Sengoku Daimyo who restrained the southern part of Ezo.

According to another theory, Nobuhiro Takeda of Wakasa Takeda moved to Kakizaki in the Shimokita Peninsula, then crossed to Masaki of Ezo, then as a guest of “Kakizaki Sueshige” who was in a conflict with Ainu at that time Actively, there is also the theory that he became a son-in-law Kakizaki.

It is unknown which theory is correct, but base was moved to the Katsuyama pavilion in the era of Takeda Nobuhiro (Nobuhiro Kakizaki), and in Eishou Era 11th year, November (1514), Nobuhiro’s child “Mitsuhiro” relocated his headquarters in Takuyama building at where he steadily improved his power.

When entering the latter period of the Sengoku Era, Yoshihiro Kakizaki, a child of Kakizaki Suehiro, was relieved when he visited Toyotomi Hideyoshi who subjugated the heavens. By this, Kakizaki Uji became independent from Akita (former Ando) who had influence at the time of the northern Tohoku and the southern part of Ezo. After the death of Hideyoshi, he approached Tokugawa Ieyasu in Keichou 4th year (1599), renamed him “Matsumae Yoshihiro”.

In Keicho 8th year (1603), Tokugawa Ieyasu received imperial proclamation of the great unifying leader, and Kakizaki Uji, who received certified document with the signature of shogun, successfully survived the Edo period. At the end of the Tokugawa period, the lord Matsumae Takahiro was taken out as a member of shogun’s council of elders while the shogun was old.

Meanwhile, Mastumae Castle is the last Japanese-style castle in Japan. When the Russian fleet arrived, the shogunate ordered Takahiro Matsumae to rebuild the Fukuyama pavilion (Matsumae Foundation) with the aim of northern guard in 1849 (Kaei 2nd year). Although there was also a plan to move the castle to Hakodate mountain, which is also easy to protect topographically during the castle construction, it was not realized due to the financial aspect and opposition from the Hakodate merchants.

The Fukuyama palace has expanded and renovated the former Fukuyama pavilion by the turmoil of Naganuma strategist “Ichikawa Ichigaku”, and for the first time built a triple castle towers. It was completed in the first year of Ansei first year (1854), and it is said that it began to be called Matsumae Castle since this time.

It was equipped with a fort to prepare for the bombardment from the side of the sea, and installed an iron plate in the wall, and the passage from dangerous place to inner citadel of the main castle. The castle was structured to be easy to shoot with a gun etc. from the side. However, since there was not much distance from the plateau of Fukuyama to the coast, it could not be a large scale castle.

Thus Matsumae castle was built, but in the fall of the Meiji era (1868), the army with the leadership of the former shogunate army “Enomoto Takeaki” aiming to establish an independent government in the Ezo area, suppressed five sided fortifications, the base of the government forces. After that, On November 5, Hijikata Toshizou with about 700 people attacked Matsumae Castle. The Matsumae Clan soldiers battled hard, but fell in just a few hours.

However, in the following 1869 the Enomoto’s regime surrendered, again Matsumae Castle became Matsumae’s residence, and the castle was owned by the Meiji Government due to the implementation of the abolished clan area in Meiji 4th year 1871. While Boshin war, Watch tower and inner citadel gates survived, but watch tower was destroyed by misfire after the Second World War. However, the Inner citadel gates that exist from the time of the castle is designated as an important cultural asset of the country. Currently it is selected as 100 Japan National Castle (No. 3) and it is maintained as “Matsumae Park.”

[Address,access]
Matsumae castle Matsumae town, Matsumae district, Hokkaido 049-1511

[Map]

[Description]
Matsumae Castle was a flatland castle in Matsumae-cho Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido. It is also known as Fukuyama Castle.
The Kakizaki clan, who had served for the Nambu clan, used to own Kakizakias Kawauchi-machi Mutsu-shi, Aomori and had a residencial castle called Kakizaki Castle. As Nobuzumi Kakizaki revolted against the Nambu clan, Masatsune Nambu sent a punitive force and Nobuzumi had no other choice other than fleeing to Matsumae.

Some people say the ancestor of Nobuzumi Kakizaki was the Takeda clan (Genji) in Wakasa, family members before Nobuzumi had Takeda as their last name. After the exile, Nobuzumi steadily gained the power in Matsumae, and became Sengoku Daimyo (fuedal lord) who ruled the Southern Ezo during Sengoku era.

Other people say Nobuhiro Takeda moved to Kakizaki in Shimokita Peninsula and then to Matsumae in Ezo afterwards, and that Nobuhiro became an in-law of the Kakizaki clan while working for Sueshige Kakizaki against Ainu people.

Although there is not enough information to prove which story is right, Nobuhiro Takeda (Kakizaki) moved to Shozan Palace when he was the head of the clan. In 1514, Nobuhiro’s son, Mitsuhiro relocated to Tokuyama Palace in Matsumae and gained power.

In late Sengoku era, Suehiro’s son, Yoshihiro Kakizaki went to Kyoto to meet with Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Acknowledged the land rulership by Hideyoshi, the Kakizaki clan became indipendent from the Akita clan (formally known as the Ando clan).

In 1603, Ieyasu Tokugawa was appointed as Seii Taishogun (Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force against the Barbarians). With the support from Ieyasu, the Kakizaki clan prospered through Edo era and changed their family name to Matsumae. In late Edo era, feudal lord, Takahiro Matsumae was nominated as Roju (senior counsel) of Edo government.

Matsumae Castle is one of the latest Japanese-style castles. In 1849, the Edo government ordered Takahiro Matsumae to build Fukuyama Palace (Matsumae Castle) with the purpose of guarding the Northern territories from the Russians. There was an another plan to build a castle on Hakodate Mountain which had advantages on defense, but never took place due to financial shortage and opposition from traders in Hakodate.

Fukuyama Palace got a three-story castle tower when a Naganuma-style military scientist, Ichigaku Ichikawa went through reconstruction in 1854. Since then, this castle has been called Matsumae Castle.

Ichigaku thought carefully about the design of the castle to maximize its potential even with limited space due to its location. There are artillery batteries facing the ocean and iron panels in the walls to withstand with the naval gunfire.

In the fall of 1868, the former government force led by Takeaki Enomoto took over Goryokaku with their intention of declaring independence of Ezo. On November 5th, Toshizo Hijikata, a former member of Shinsen-gumi attacked Matsumae Castle with 700 soldiers in his troop. Matsumae Castle fell within a few hours despite of effort by fuedal soldiers.

In the next year, however, the former government force surrendered and Matsumae clan won back Matsumae Castle. They ruled the castle until it was owned by Meiji government as Haihan-chiken (abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures) was enforced. While the castle tower was burned down by fire during World War II, Honmaru Gomon (gate) remains to this day and it is nominated as Important Cultural Property. Matsumae Castle is restored as Matsumae Park, and it ranks in the third of top 100 castles in Japan.

[Address,access]
Matsushiro Matsumae-cho Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido 049-1511

[Map]

[Description]
Yokote Castle was owned by Yoshimichi Onodera during Sengoku era. Although Yoshimichi had consolidated as an independent daimyo, he was terminated after the Battle of Sekigahara because he fought with Kagekatsu Uesugi for the West force led by Mitsunari Ishida.

Mogami clan came into possession of Hitachi at first, but Satake clan ruled the land upon their relocation. Yokote Castle was supposed to be destroyed because of Ikkoku Ichijo Regulation (Law of One Castle per Province), but Yoshinobu Satake, the first Akita feudal lord, insisted on its value and importance to Edo government and kept the castle.

Tomura clan had ruled Yokote Castle throughout Edo era. In Bakumatsu, Akita supported the Imperial Court at Boshin War. The castle eventually surrendered under the attack by Sendai and Shonai feudal forces which were on the side of Tokugawa shogunate.

Akita Shrine was established to mourn and honor the warriors who passed away from the war. Currently, Yokote Castle has a restored castle tower.

[Address,access]
Shiroyama-machi Yokote-shi, Akita 013-0012

[Map]

[Description]
Satomi from Mogami clan was the first one to take control of Tendo Castle and the city of Tendo. They started calling themselves as Tendo and prospered for generations.

This led to conflicts over territories with the royal family “Yoshiaki Mogami”. Yoshiaki attacked Tendo Castle led by Yorizumi Tendo.

After a fierce battle, Tendo Castle fell under the hands of Yoshiaki. The castle remained abandoned for some time, but Nobukatsu Oda’s descendant took control from 1830 to Meiji Restoration.

Pressured by the New government force, Tendo han, led by Daihachi Yoshida, attacked Shounai han, but lost the castle due to a counter-attack.

※Statue of Daihachi Yoshida, the unfortunate minister from Bakumatsu

※Daihachi Yoshida commited suicide when Mutsu, Dewa, Echigo joined forces

After joining forces with Mutsu, Dewa, and Echigo in anguish, they surrendered to the new government forces right away.
This is how Oda survived through the chaos during Bakumatsu.

Tendo han produced 20,000 goku.
Currently, the remnants of the castles are nowhere to be seen.

[Address,access]
Shiroyama Tendo, Tendo-shi, Yamagata, 994-0000

[Map]

[Description]
Fukushima Castle was a flatland castle located in Sugitsuma Fukushima-shi, Fukushima where the city capital lies today. It used to be called as Suginome Castle or Sugitsuma Castle. Harumune Date moved in here after he handed over his title to his son, Terumune.

Defeating Ujimasa and Ujiteru Hojo in Kanto, Hideyoshi Toyotomi marched into Oshu to expand his territories. Kurokawa in Aizu, Suginome in Fukushima, and Yonezawa were taken away from Masamune Date.

Ujisato Gamo came to possess Aizu while Yoshikiyo Kimura, a close advisor of Hideyoshi, received Suginome Castle to rule and changed the name to Fukushima Castle. As the Battle of Sekigahara started, Masamune Date who was on the side of the East force attacked Kagekatsu Uesugi from the West force in the land of Fukushima (the Battle of Matsukawa).

Reflecting the victory of Tokugawa force (the East force) at the Battle of Sekigahara, Kagekatsu Uesugi’s rulership diminished by 300,000 Goku, and the land around Fukushima Castle were owned by the Edo government. After Tadakuni Honda was given the Fukushima Han (150,000 Goku) in 1679, the title of Fukushima Castle was passed by the Hotta clan and the Itakura clan.

Fukushima Castle was ruled by the Itakura clan at the time of Meiji Restoration. They joined Ouetsu Reppan Domei (Alliance of Mutsu, Dewa, and Echigo), and fought against the West force including Satsuma and Choshu. When Nihonmatsu Castle fell in July 29th, 1868, the chief Katsumi Itakura ran to Yonezawa.

On April 20th of the same year, before the Battle of Shirakawa, Shuzo Sera was killed by feudal retainers of Sendai Han around Fukushima Castle. Shuzo Sera played several roles as secretary of Kihe-tai from Choshu, military chief of the second Kihe-tai, and minister of Ou Chinbu Sokanfu at Boshin War.

Fukushima Han surrendered and handed over Nihonmatsu Castle to the West force in September 2nd, 1868. In 1869, Katsumi Itakura was relocated to Mikawa, and it put an end to Fukushima Han.

There are only a few stone fences and a stone monument around Fukushima city hall as remnants of Fukushima Castle.

[Address,access]
2-16 Sugitsuma-cho Fukushima-shi, Fukushima 960-8065

[Map]

[Description]
Tanagura Castle was on a flatland in Tanagura-cho, Higashishirakawa-gun, Fukushima. During Sengoku period, this area attracted many samurai such as Masamune Date, Yoshishige Satake, and Yoshichika Yuku from Shirakawa.

Under Ieyasu Tokugawa’s rulership in the end of Sengoku era, Nagashige Niwa from Echizen was told to govern the land of Tanagura where Muneshige Tachibana used to own. Nagashige contributed 50,000 Goku and built Tanagura Castle.

Nagashige was relocated to Shirakawa Castle in1627. Since then, many daimyo came and went to Tanagura Castle.

Masakiyo Abe, a chief of Tanagura Castle in the late Edo era, joined Ouetsu Reppan Domei (Alliance of Mutsu, Dewa, and Echigo). At Boshin War in 1868, Tanagura Castle fell within a day under the attack by the new government force led by Taisuke Itagaki. Tanagura Castle and the castle town burned down completely.

Tanagura Castle was designed in a style of Honmaru being surrounded by Ninomaru and Sannomaru. Moats filled with water and earth mounts were applied to provide the castle with a preliminary line of defense.

[Address,access]
Tanagura Tanagura-cho Higashishirakawa-gun, Fukushima 963-6131

[Map]

[Description]
Tozawa castle was a castle of the Tozawa family in current Nishi Shimo Tozawa, Kami Hinokinai, Nishiki Town, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture.
The family tried to get Semboku three districts. First, it united Kitaura, the north part of Semboku three districts.
After that, it moved to Kakunodate Castle. It fought with the Onodera family and the Ando family for Semboku three districts.

In the Warring States period, the head Tozawa Moriyasu was a good commander so that he united Semboku three districts.
Meanwhile, Toyotomi Hideyoshi started Hojo Conquest. Moriyasu quickly met Hideyoshi and had him ensure the estate.

However, Moriyasu suddenly died for illness during the Hojo Conquest.
After Moriyasu died, his younger brother Tozawa Mitsumori succeeded the family. He got only 4500 kokus estate in Kitaura District.

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi got all of Japan, he started dispatching troops to Korea. Mitsumori attended to it, he died in Himeji Castle on the way.
After Mitsumoridied, his heir Masamori succeeded the family. He grasped the situation and approached Tokugawa Ieyasu.

In the Battle of Sekigahara, he joined the eastern army. He and Mogami Yoshimitsu fought Uesugi Kagekatsu. However, he didn’t attack in a positive manner because he didn’t want the Akita family next to his province to increase its power. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu heard it and transferred Masamori to Hitachi Province Matsuoka and reduced his estate.

During Siege of Osaka between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s son Hideyori, he positively worked for Ieyasu. Furthermore, he adopted Ieyasu’s senior statesman Tori Tadamasa’s son. Then he came to be treated as a Fudai lord.

After the Mogami family was deprived of its estate and its status, he was transferred to Shinjo, which was near Kakunodate, and his estate increased to 60000 kokus. The Tozawa family ruled the area until the Meiji Restoration.

[Address,access]
Nishi Shimo Tozawa, Kami Hinokinai, Nishiki Town, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture

[Map]

[Description]
Ichinohe Castle used to stand on a plateau in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, Iwate Prefecture.
It was composed of four walls including the cliff of Mabuchi River.

It was built by Nambu Yoshizane, the second lord of the Ichinohe Nambu family, in the Muromachi period.
In the 9th year of the Tensho period (1581), the head Ichinohe Masatsura and his son were killed by Tairadate Masakane and the main branch of the Ichinohe family got extinct. After that, Ichinohe Zusho, who lived with Kunohe Masazane, became the lord.

However, Nambu Nobunao didn’t admit it and robbed Ichinohe Castle. He assigned his man Kitahidechika the head.
In the 19th year of the Tensho period (1591), Kunohe Masazane raised the standard of revolt (Kunohe Masazane Rebellion). Ichinohe castle residents saved it after a siege.

After that, it was destroyed for a policy of the shogunate.
Now, the ruin is used as Ichinohe Park.

[Address,access]
1012 Kitamata, Aya Town, Higashi Morokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture 880-1302

[Map]

[Description]
Takashimizu Castle used to stand in Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture (former Takashimizu Town).
It was built by Takashimizu Naokata, who was the third son of the 9th head of the Osaki family Osaki Yoshikane.

In the Warring States period, Osaki Yoshitaka was defeated by Date Masamune and followed him. However, he didn’t attend Hojo Conquest and was deprived of his estate and status.

After that, Hideyoshi sent his trusted man Kimura Yoshikiyo to the Castle.
When Osaki-Kasai Riot occurred, Date Masamune and Gamo Ujiyasu suppressed it. Later, Masamune was transferred to Iwadeyama Castle and began to rule Takashimizu Castle, too.

In October of the 9th year of the Keicho period (1604), Watari Shigemune received it to live after his retirement. In the 11th year of the Keicho period (1606), he married his last daughter to Masamune’s illegitimate son Munemoto and joined the Date family.

In the 7th year of Horeki (1757), Watari Rintoku was transferred to Sanuma Castle and Ishimoda Okiyori became the head. He ruled the area until the end of the end of the Edo period. Now, Takashimizu Junior High School stands on where the castle stood and There are few traces.

[Address,access]
34 Higashitate, Takashimizu, Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture 987-2200

[Map]

[Description]
Kosuiji Castle used to stand in Shiba Town, Shiba District, Iwate Prefecture. It was also called Koriyama Castle.
In the late Kamakura period, Ashikaga Takauji assigned Shiba Takatsune’s heir Shiba Ienaga to Oshu-Kanrei in the castle.

In the Warring States period, the Shiba family developed it into a tough castle. On the climax of the Shiba family, it was called Shiba Palace.
In the 16th year of the Tensho period (1588), Nambu Nobunao attacked the Shiba family and made it extinct.

After that, he sent Nakano Yasuzane to the castle. He renamed it Koriyama Castle.
Meanwhile, Nambu Nobunao built his main base in Kozukata (Morioka). Then, Koriyama Castle was abandoned.
Now, it is used as Shiba Town Shiroyama Park.

[Address,access]
Furudate, Futsuka Town, Shiba Town, Shiba District, Iwate Prefecture 028-3304

[Map]

[Description]
Kunohe Castle used to stand in current Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture. It was lived in by Nambu Nobunao until he moved to Morioka Castle.
It was built by the Kunohe family, which was a relative of the Nambu family, when the Kunohe family got Ninohe region.

In the late Warring States period, the head Kunohe Masazane disagreed with his Nambu Nobunao of the head Nambu family. In the 19th year of the Tensho period (1591), he raised the standard of revolt. （Kunohe Masazane Rebellion）

Nambu Nobunao had a license of the head Nambu family by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, so Masazane’s rebellion was regarded as one’s against Toyotomi government. Hideyoshi assigned Toyotomi Hidetsugu the leader and sent Asano Nagamasa and Gamo Ujisato to suppress it with Nambu Nobunao.

Kunohe Masazane was surrounded by a large army of Toyotomi Hidetsugu. He surrendered for a contract to save his life, but the Kunohe family was completely executed. Hideyoshi ordered Nambu Nobunao to live in Kunohe Castle to suppress the area. He moved from Sannohe Castle and developed the castle town.

In the 2nd year of the Keicho period (1597), the Nambu family built Kozukata Castle (Morioka Castle) and moved to it. Then, Kunohe castle was destroyed.

[Address,access]
Matsunomaru, Jounouchi, Fukuoka, Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture 028-6101

[Map]

[Description]
Tsurugaoka Castle used to stand in Baba Town, Tsurugaoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. It belonged to Shonai Domain.
In the Kamakura period, Daihoji Castle was built by the Muto family (the Daihoji family). It was the predecessor of Tsurugaoka Castle.

In the Muromachi period, Muto Nagamori had power in Shonai region. In the Warring States period, he once lost Daihoji Castle, but afterward he united Shonai region with the Uesugi family from Echigo.

In the time of Muto Yoshiuji, his power became climatic. However, in the 11th year of the Tensho period (1583), he was driven into a corner and committed suicide by Mogami Yoshimitsu’s retainer.

After that, Uesugi Kagekatsu and Mogami Yoshimitsu fought for Shonai region. In the 16th year of the Tensho period (1588), Uesugi Kagekatsu got it. In the 5th year of the Keicho period (1600), after the Battle of Sekigahara, Uesugi Kagekatsu was forced to move to Yonezawa 300000 kokus and Mogami Yoshimitsu got Shonai region.

Yoshimitsu developed his territory and his castle. He renamed it Tsurugaoka Castle.
In the 8th year of the Gen’na period (1622), when Mogami Yoshitoshi was the head, he had a domestic trouble (Mogami Trouble) and was deprived of his feudal estate and status. After that, the Mogami territory was divided into some areas. In the Tsurugaoka Castle, a Fudai lord Sakai Tadakatsu from Matsushiro Castle became the head.

He repaired the castle into early modern style and developed the castle town. The Sakai family ruled the area throughout the Edo period. Shonai Domain prospered with trades on Sakata Port.

At the end of the Edo period, Shonai Domain got in charge of controlling Edo. It established Shinsengumi to control lordless samurais. Finally, it burned Satsuma Domain residence.

When Boshin War spread to Tohoku Region, it attended the Oetsu-reppan alliance and fought at various places. Even after Nagaoka Domain, Aizu Domain, and Yonezawa Domain surrender to the new government army, Shonai Domain kept on fighting alone.

It used the latest weapons which they got in trades at Sakata Port and it defeated the enemy on the border again and again. Finally, it surrendered with kind management of Saigo Takamori. In the 4th year of the Meiji period (1871), the Meiji government decided to abolish domains and to establish prefectures. Tsurugaoka Castle was abandoned at that time. In the 9th year of the Meiji period, all structures inside the castle were destroyed and the estate was made into Tsurugaoka Park.

[Address,access]
4-1 Baba Town, Tsurugaoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. It belonged to Shonai Domain 997-00351

[Map]

[Explanation]
Kubota castle was a castle located in current Akita-shi, Akita prefecture. It was a residence of Kubota domains Satake-shi, and it was also called Yadomi castle or Kuzune castle.

In 1602, Yoshinobu Satake, Kubota-domain’s first lord, became the owner of Minato castle that was a residence of Akita-shi. But Minato castle was a flat castle and it was not suited for protection, and it was also too small for Satake-shi who had 540 thousand Koku worth of vassals.This led him to build Kubota castle.

During Sengoku period it was a territory of Miura-shi (Kawajiri-shi) who was under Ando-shi (Akita-shi), and as a Ujigami (a guardian god or spirit of a particular place in the Shinto religion), they made an offering to Sosha Daimyojin, Shinmeigu, and Bekkan Setsumatsusha. Miura-shi’s castle was called Yadomeno Castle, and it was also the origin of Kubota castle’s another name.

During the late Edo period, it was often written as Akita castle on official documents, but another castle called Akita castle existed during Nara and Heian period, so in recent years it is most commonly known as Kubota castIe.

Kubota castle was a flat mountain castle that was built on mount Shinmei, and only a small amount of stone walls existed, even without a castle tower.

It is said that the stone walls were not built because of Bakufu, but it is also said that the style of using no stone walls was fairly common in the eastern side of the country at that time so there was no expert in building stone walls.

Where Kubota castle’s Honmaru existed is now a park called Senshu Park, and there are Akita prefecture hall, Akita central library, and Akita museum of art in the area.

※The picture shows current Kumamoto castle, the 9th castle of Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address,access]
1 Senshu Koen, Akita-shi, Akita 010-0876

[Map]