[Explanation]
Speaking of Ogura Castle, it is a castle famous for having a battle between a soldier led by Takasugi Shinsaku and a shogunate army based in Ogura castle at the end of the Tokugawa period.

During the Sengoku Era, there are also many great battle over Ogurajo has occurred among Ryuzoji, Otomo, Mouri etc. Originally it was not precisely known for what kind of pupropse the castle was built for, but when Katsunobu Mori (later Mori Katsunobu) who was successful in Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s conquest of Kyushu was appointed as a castle owner, it became the place of lord.

It is said that they entered in 60 thousand Jewels with another 100 thousand Jewels. However, Mori Katsunobu and Katsunaga father and son were altered by Ieyasu because they were sided with the West Army during the Sekigahara battle. After that, Tadayuki Hosokawa, who had a merit in the same battle, gifted the country of Buzen, and formed a castle town in Ogura. Soon after, Kumamoto’s Kato family will be renovated and the Hosokawa family will be transferred to Kumamoto.

And, it was the Ogasawara family of Tokugawa’s hereditary Daimyo who entered the empty territory Ogura. The Tokugawa shogunate also had the gateway to Kyushu and placed in the trusted hereditary daimyo Ogasawara Family in Ogura which can be said to be “keystone”.

Although it is the Ogasawara family, when it comes to the end of the Tokugawa period, it will protect the important Ogura entrance that is part of that in the “four-sided war” between the Shogunate Army and the Choshu Army.

However, when the castle is dropped to the Choshu army led by Takasugi Shinsaku, the lord escapes to Kumamoto, and the Ogura clan itself will welcome the Meiji in the land “Kawara” behind. The current Ogura castle was restored, and the inside of the castle is used as a “local museum.”

※The picture is an elegant Ogura Castle where stone walls of remembrance of the time remain

[Address,access]
2-1 in Ogakura Kita ward Kitakyushu city Fukuoka prefecture 803-0813

[Map]

[Explanation]
Kumamoto Castle is a castle present in Kumamoto city, Kumamoto Prefecture. Another name is Ginnan Castle (Ginnan Jyou).

In the beginning, around 1469 the family of Kikuchi of Higo guardian built a castle. Later, Kikuchi, a guardian of Higo (present: Kumamoto Prefecture) took the castle but conflicted with “Otomo Yoshishige (Sourin)” of Buzen, and since then the co-operative “Chikafuyu castle” was the daimyo castle.

In 1587 (Tensho 15th year), when the Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s conquest of Kyushu, the Oyafuyu’s grandson, Jo Hisamoto who came under Shimazu of Satsuma surrendered the castle and moved to Chikugo country. Hideyoshi designated the Kagamoto castle of Higo as the daimyo “Sasa Narisama” who was a colleague in the Oda administration period.

Narimasa Sasa who newly entered Kumamoto castle forcibly carries out the inspection contrary to the instruction of Hideyoshi, causing a rebellion of the Higo National. At this time Kumamoto Castle suffered a tremor from the public, but Jinbo Ujiharu of the castle keeper protected it, and falling of castle was avoided.

In 1588 (Tensho 16th), Shigemasa was ordered to bear the responsibility of this revolt and was ordered to cut open his belly and commit suicide, replacing him with Kiyomasa Kato became the lord with 195,000 Jewels in Higo’s northern half country and entered Kumamoto castle.

Kiyomasa Kato starts building a new castle in Chausuyama hill where there was Kumamoto castle from 1591 (Tensho 19th year). Castle tower is completed around 1600 (Keicho 5th year), and Higo Ichikuni is the hometown of Battle of Sekigahara and Kiyomasa becomes the lord with 520,000 Jewels.

※ Before the battle of Sekigahara, the Higo Ichikuni was a Konishi Yukinaga’s headquarters, but since Higo was defeated by the West Army, Ichikuni Higo was given to Kato Kiyomasa.

In 1606 (Keicho 11th year) the castle was completed, and the following year “Kumamoto” was changed to “Kumamoto”. This is the current Kumamoto Castle. From 1610 (Keicho 15th year), Inner citadel palace building was done in a form crossing a passage in Inner citadel divided into north and south by a passage.

As a result of this, in order to go up to the castle, we have to go through the underground passage under the Inner citadel palace.

In 1632 (9th year of Kansai), Tadatoshi Hosokawa who was lord of the castle owing to the change of Tadahiro Kato, a child of Kiyomasa, became the lord of Higo with 540,000 Jewels and entered Kumamoto Castle. At this time Tadatoshi climbed up to the castle, and it is told that it worshiped towards the direction of Honmyoji, where there is a shrine to worship Kiyomasa.

In the end of the reign of the Kato family, due to the exhaustion of the clan finances and the house disturbance, the repair of the castle remained. Hosokawa Tadatoshi offers the shogunate repair of Kumamoto castle immediately after entering. This repair is not limited to repairing buildings, as well as addition of Inner citadel, the domain that is currently found is completed in this repair.

※The photo shows the current Kumamoto Castle ” No. 92nd out of Japan 100 Great castle”

[Address,access]
1-1 Inner Citadel Chuo ward, Kumamoto city, Kumamoto Prefecture 860-0002

[Map]

[Explanation]
Nakatsu castle was located in Nakatsu in Fuzen no Kuni. Kanbe Kuroda started building the castle, and Tadaoki Hosokawa finished it.

This castle is a flat castle that was built on the land of Nakatsugawa, and it is also known as a water castle as the ocean water is being used as a moat. It is one of the three large water castles in Japan along with Imauji castle and Takamatsu castle.

The existence of the castle tower is unknown. There is no castle tower in drawings that was created in Edo period, but Yoshitaka Kuroda’s letter mentions a castle tower which indicates that there might have been one.

In 1587, Kanbe Kuroda received 123 thousand Koku from Hideyoshi Toyotomi because of his various victories of wars. At that time he became the owner of Umagatake castle. Kanbe started building Nakatsu castle the year after at the beginning of Yamakuni river.

In the same year, he supported Narimasa Sassa at the battle of Kumamoto. During his absence, Nagamasa was in charge of the castle and they were attacked and defeated by Shigefusa Kii.

In 1600 when the battle of Sekigahara happened, Kanbe protected Nakatsu, while his son Nagamasa fought at the battle. On the other hand, Kanbe gained a large part of the northern Kyushu after attacking the East troops (Mitsunari Ishida’s army).

The Kuroda family was given 520 thousand Koku because of Nagamasa’s achievement, and they were moved to Najima castle and the construction of Nakatsu castle was stopped. Nakatsu castle was then given to Tadaoki Hosokawa, who contributed largely at the battle Sekigahara being on the East troops (Ieyasu Tokugawa’s army), and he started rebuilding the castle.

In 1602 Tadaoki Hosokawa started building Kokura castle, and made it the main castle. He appointed his younger brother, Okiaki Hosokawa, as the owner of Nakatsu castle. In 1632, Nagatsugu Ogasawara became the owner of Nakatsu castle, establishing Nakatsu domain.

In 1717, Masashige Okudaira became the owner until the Meiji restoration. Right now the castle tower was restored using concrete, and it is opened to public as the Okudaira family’s historical museum.

[Address,access]
Honmaru, Nino-cho, Nakatsu-shi, Oita 871-0058

[Map]

[Explanation]
Saga Castle was originally called Nakamura-jo Castle, and it was a residence of the Ryuzo-ji clan, but after the end of the Sengoku period, the family head became a guardian, and after that, the Nabeshima Naoshige, who had gained a great trust from the wife of Shigetomi and the wife of Ryuzo-ji, seized the power of authority from the Ryuzo-ji clan, and received approval from the Tokugawa shogunate as the head of Hizen 357,000 koku.

Naoshige and his son Katsushige, who were officially recognized as the head of the shogunate, extended the Saga Castle, and built a wooden shrine even though they were small. However, due to repeated conflagarations, the Castle tower and castle tower palace disappeared. In the Edo era Hizen clan (Saga clan) ruled this land until the end of the Tokugawa period without changing even once. In the Boshin war broke out at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, Hizen soldiers who adopted modern weapons from early times exchanged war with the former shogunate army in various places.

The’ fertilizer’ of the new government army,’ Satsumacho Dohi’, was the Saga domain, and this Saga Castle was once again on the scene again, when Eto Shimpei defeated the’ Seikanron’ in the government, which had been lifted up after the Meiji Restoration The Saga War was planned to stand up in collaboration with Satsuma of Saigo and Itagaki of Tosa, but at this time, the Satsuma and Tosa clans did not stand up.

*Armstrong cannon that flourished during the Boshin War

The completely isolated “Eto Shimpei” was defeated by the government army despite his struggle in the first battle, but he continued to flee to Satsuma and Tosa, finally was captured by Toshimichi Oubo and sentenced to death in an extraordinary trial held in Saga. The current Saga Castle has “Honmaru Goten (Honmaru historical view)”, “Tensouchidai”, “Kamon no gate” etc. are left. In addition, Saga Castle has been selected as the “89th famous castle, of Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address, access]
2 Jonai, Saga City, Saga Prefecture

[Map]

[Description]
Fukuoka Castle was the Hirayama Castle of the family of the Kuroda family in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The name Fukuoka was named after the place 「Fukuoka」 of Osafune town deep inside Okayama prefecture of the Kuroda family. Then the Kuroda family was forcefully relocated with increase from 12,000 koku in Buzen Province to 520,000 koku in Chikuzen Najima due to the achievements of 「Battle of Sekigahara」 which broke out in the 5th Year of Keishou Era (1600).

It is said that it was Nagasama, the eldest son of 「Kuroda Kanbei」 who participated in the Battle of Sekigahara. At this time Kanbei was in retirement, and was in Nakatsu castle, but it is said that was carrying out his scheme of conquering the whole of Kyushu in a sweep by taking advantage of the confusion from the Battle of Sekigahara to strike at the center.

However, the Battle of Sekigahara ended in victory of the eastern army led by Ieyasu Tokugawa which was settled in a day. Ieyasu sniffed out the conspiracy (ambition) which was the ulterior motive of Kanbei’s performance in Kyushu, so he completely ignored all of Kanbei’s achievements.

Meanwhile, Kuroda family who had been transferred to Chikuzen, initially had a base in Najima Castle, but the current land of Fukuoka Castle was selected in consideration of transportation and future reign and commenced fortification. Fukuoka Castle was constructed in a way where the outer citadel, the outermost region surrounded the main citadel, solid gates and turrets were built in abundant, and the turrets were built as yagura (a turret). Then the development of the castle town was vigorously undertaken, and the foundation which became the Fukuoka city of today was completed.

It is said that the Castle tower of the main citadel did not catch the eyes of the Shogunate, And the Kuroda family continued their reign throughout the Edo period, till they welcomed the Meiji Restoration. Many of the castles had been abolished and destroyed by the 「Haijo Rei」 ordinance which was issued in the Meiji period, but the current Fukuoka Castle Ruins was established as 「Maizuru Park」 and it became a place for people to relax, and the Fukuoka Castle was selected as the 85th of the 100 famous Japanese Castles.

[Address,access]
Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Chuo-ku Castle inside

[Map]

[Explanation]
Kushima Castle (Omura Castle) is a residence of Omura who was in Omura city, Nagasaki prefecture. The way of reading is called “Kushima Jyou”. Omura was the founder of “Fujiwara Nosumitomo”, and since the Kamakura period he has served the Omura region as a clan of this place.

Omura Yoshiaki (Omura Yoshiaki) who was the feudal lord in Tensho Era 15th year (1587), participated in the Hideyoshi army at the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s conquest of Kyushu and was recognized as the owner of the territory. Yoshisaki was a Christian lord, but succumbed to the pressure of Hideyoshi and converted.

Keicho 3rd year (1598), After the death of Hideyoshi, Omura set out to build a castle “Kushima Castle” in preparation for the political instability of the people. This castle was flatland mountain castle which was built in the peninsula constructed in Omura Bay and the watchtower was not built. In the fourth year of Keicho (1599), the castle was completed, and Yoshisaki moved castle to Kushima castle from Miki castle.

During the Keicho 19th year (1614), the castle was expanded and renovated by Sumiyori Omura, and it is said that he received design guidance from “Kato Kiyomasa” at this time. Having received guidance from that Kiyomasa Kato, you can still see the stone wall with its beautiful fan slope.

The Omura family continued until the Meiji Restoration as the Omura clan “27,000 stones” as well as the Edo period, and Kushima Castle played the role of the clan headquarters of the Omura clan. In Meiji Era 4th year (1871), Kushima Castle became abandoned and the building was destroyed. However, in the Meiji era (1884), the Omura shrine that enshrined Omura’s castle owner at Inner citadel was established.

Stone wall exists in Kushima Castle, and in Heisei 4th year (1992), the wooden stage was rebuilt. Inner citadel ruins are inside the precincts of Omura Shrine, and there is a statue of “Omura Yoshisaki” which was a virtue monument of the builder “Omura Sumihiro” and the last lord. Also, in Heisei 4th year (1992) the board barrel was rebuilt.

Currently it is maintained as Omura Park.

[Address,access]
〒856-0834 Nagasaki Prefecture Omura city Kushima 1

[Map]

[Explanation]
Shimabara Castle is a castle in Shimabara city in Nagasaki Prefecture, famous for “Rebellion of Shimabara” in the Edo period. Arima was originally governed for generations, but in the Edo period it was a government office of the Shimabara clan and Matsukura’s daimyo castle of 40,000 stones. As the location faces the Ariake Sea, it is located at the foot of Unzen Volcano.

The castle is a nearly rectangular castle on the plains, characterized by a sturdy high stone wall. Inner Citadel is surrounded by water fountain, and it is connected with outer citadel with a single wooden bridge in the form of a corridor bridge. If it breaks the bridge, it is making it possible to make inner citadel independent and confining.

Ganwa 2nd year (1616), “Arima Naozumi” who served as a territory head for this place for generations has been forcefully relocated to the Hyuugakuni Nobeoka clan, and in lieu of that, Matsukura Shigemasa enters into Hinoe castle which was Arima’s castle. Ganwa 4th Year (1618), Since Hinoe castle was small, Shigemasa started the castle construction of Shimabara Castle and is completed in first year of Kanei Era (1624).

Kanei 14th year (1637), Rebellion of Shimabara broke out due to the misgovernment of first feudal lord “Shigemasa”, the second feudal lord “Katsuie”, will be beheaded by the crime of leading the disturbance in the territory, Matsukura’s rank will be changed. Castle construction work on the ground consisting of volcanic ash and lava flows has been said to have been difficult and is said to contribute to the revolt of the people.

In 15th year of Kanei, Kouriki Tadafusa entered the castle with 40,000 Jewels, and after that four houses of the successive lord Daimyo will be replaced. At the end of the Tokugawa period, Matsudaira’s territory of 65,000 Jewels, and it came to Shimabara prefecture as the abolition of the clan dominated by Meiji 4th year (1871). After that, it was transferred to Nagasaki prefecture.

After the Meiji era abandoned castle disposition, buildings etc. were removed, now the inner citadel, watchtower, the tall fence are reconstructed into a castle ruins park.

[Address,access]
Shimabara city, Nagasaki prefecture 855-0036 1-1183-1

[Map]

[Explanation]
The Yoshinogari ruins are the Yayoi era settlement that was present in Yoshinogari town, Kanzaki county, Saga prefecture. The Yayoi era also caused warfare in various places, Yoshinogari is thought to have built a fence and moat in preparation for the enemy. Expansion of the village was gradually advanced, and in the late Yayoi period the prototype of the largest castle in the country was completed.

At present it is restored the observatory tower and the shrine etc.
The Yoshinogari ruins have been selected as 88th in Japan No. 100 National Castle.

[Address,access]
Yoshinogari town, Kanzaki county, Saga Prefecture 842-0035, 1869

[Yoshinogari Site Remains]

[Description]
In 1600, Yoshihiro Shimazu returned to his homeland Satsuma after the loss at the battle of Sekigahara. On his way home, he was attacked in Hyuga by Ito clan and successfully defended.

From this experience, he built Hyuga Takaoka Castle to tighten boarder defense. Kunisada Hishijima was appointed as the lead guardian of the castle and he protected the boarders.

Hyuga Takaoka Castle became a ruin after Ieyasu Tokugawa took reign. The current castle is just a model and is part of Amagajyou Park.

[Address,access]
3003 Uchiyama, Takaoka-Cho, Miyazaki-Shi, Miyazaki, 880-2321

[Map]

[Description]
Kurume Castle was on a hill in Sasayama-machi Kurume-shi, Fukuoka.

In the early Sengoku era, there was a small fort called Shinohara Castle. Sorin Otomo from Chikuzen, Chikugo and Takanobu Ryuzoji from Hizen fought over the castle. Once Hideyoshi Toyotomi ruled the entire land of Kyushu, Hidekane Mori, the ninth son of Motonari Mori, was rewarded Kurume Castle (70,000 Goku) for his father’s contribution at the battle.

Hidekane Mori’s lands were taken away because he was supporting the Ishida force which surrendered at the Battle of Sekigahara.

Yoshimasa Tanaka, who had ruled a partial land of Suruga, was given Yanagawa Castle by contributing 325,000 Goku, and made Kurume Castle as a backup since there was no one to succeed to the castle after Yanagawa Castle. When Tadamasa Tanaka, a son of Yoshimasa, passed away, the Tanaka clan needed to give up the title of chief.

In 1621, Toyouji Arima, former ruler of Fukuchiyama Castle in Tanba, relocated to Kurume Castle with 210,000 Goku. As for Yanagawa Castle, Muneshige Tachibana contributed 115,000 Goku to come back as the chief. (Muneshige was forced to give up Yanagawa Castle because he supported the West force led by Mitsunari Ishida.)

Toyouji Arima was a daimyo originally from Settsu (area around today’s Arima Hot Spring). He was not from the Omura clan who had owned regions around Omura, Nagasaki. The Arima clan established an administrative office at Kurume Castle, and kept the rulership within their family through Meiji Restoration.

[Address,access]
444 Sasayama-machi Kurume-shi, Fukuoka 830-0021

[Map]

[Description]
Yanagawa Castle was a flatland castle located in Yanagawa-shi, Fukuoka.
In the early Sengoku era, Haruhisa Kamachi built this castle to support Kamachi Castle at first.

During the mid Sengoku era, Shigenami Kamachi withstood the attack from Takanobu Ryuzoji and Naoshige Nabeshima; however, Takanobu Ryuzoji killed Shigenami by tricking him and took over the land along with Yanagawa Castle.

Dosetsu Tachibana, a minister for the Otomo clan, attacked Takanobu Ryuzoji, but failed to win back Yanagawa Castle. Takanobu Ryuzoji and Sorin Otomo gradually lost their control over the northern lands as Yoshihisa and Yoshihiro Shimazu were on the conquest.

It was the Battle of Mimigawa when it became clear that Otomo clan was losing power. During this battle against Yoshihisa Shimazu, Sorin Otomo lost many soldiers and ministers.

The Otomo clan was not the only one who suffered from the rising Shimazu clan. Knowing the fall of the Otomo clan, Takanobu Ryuzoji took over Chikugo and Chikuzen, but was stopped by the Iehisa Shimazu’s force and Ryuzoji clan accepted defeat. With their main Funai Castle taken away, the Otomo clan requested reinforcement from Hideyohi Toyotomi, who was about to conquer Japan.

Hideyoshi sent his force to lay siege to Kyushu and seized all of Shimazu’s territories except for Satsuma. The Shimazu clan accepted unconditional surrender at this point. This concluded Hideyoshi’s conquest of Kyushu.

Muneshige Tachibana, a son-in-law of Dosan Tachibana who worked for the Otomo clan, was given the land of Yanagawa by contributing 130,000 Goku. After the fall of the Toyotomi clan, Muneshige Tachibana joined the West force led by Mitsunari Ishida during the Battle of Sekigahara.

The battle was marked with Ieyasu Tokugawa’s victory within a day. Muneshige prepared to sustain a siege at Yanagawa Castle, but handed over the castle after being convinced by Kiyomasa Kato and Kanbe Kuroda.

Yoshimasa Tanaka received Yanagawa Castle with 310,000 Goku. The castle was ruled by the Tanaka clan for two generations. When the second chief of the castle passed away, Muneshige Tanaka came into possession of Yanagawa Castle once again. The castle and the land of Yanagawa were governed by the Tachibana clan through Meiji Restoration.

[Address,access]
Honjo-machi Yanagawa-shi, Fukuoka 832-0061

[Map]

[Description]
Aya Castle used to stand in a mountain in Aya Town, Miyazaki Prefecture.
It was built by Hosokawa Koshiro Yoshikado, who was a man of Ashikaga Takauji.

The Aya family ruled the area until the Warring States period. When the Ito family of Hyuga raised its head, the Aya family followed it.
However, in the 5th year of the Tensho period (1577), the Ito family was eliminated by Shimazu Yoshihisa and his brother Yoshihiro. The Aya family fought for its lord and got extinct, too.

After that, the castle became a branch castle of the Shimazu Castle. In 1615 it was destroyed for the policy of the shogunate.
Now, the castle was restored. You can see the sued main keep.

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

[Map]

[Description]
Sadowara Castle used to stand in Uedashima, Sadowara Town, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It was the office of Sadowara Domain.
It was built by Tajima Kyusaku. It was originally called Tajima Castle.

In the early Warring States period, the Tajima family was attacked by the Ito family, which had increased its power in Hyuga Province, and lost Tajima Castle.
The castle got ruled by Ito Sukeyoshi, who belonged to the Ito family. He established the Sadowara family.

In 1480, the Sadowara family adopted Ito Sukekuni from the original Ito family and increased its power.
When Shimazu Yohsihisa of Satsuma invaded from the south, the Sadowara family was defeated in the Battle of Takajo and was expelled. Then, Yoshihisa’s younger brother Shimazu Iehisa became the head of the castle.

In 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Kyusyu Region. Shimazu Yoshihisa and Yoshihiro fought hard, but finally was defeated. Their territories were reduced to Satsuma, Osumi, and a part of Hyuga Province.

In the battle, the head of the Sadowara Castle Iehisa suddenly died. Shimazu Toyohisa succeeded him.
In the 5th year of the Keicho period (1600), the Shimazu family attended the western army in the Battle of Sekigahara and Toyohisa was killed.

The Shimazu family planned both absolute resistance and surrender. Finally they were forgiven by Ieyasu.
Ieyasu’s man Shoda Sandayu temporally ruled the castle. In 1603, Shimazu Mochihisa got in charge of it and the Shimazu family rule the estate until the end of the Edo period.

In the Meiji Restoration, the domain army fought in Battle of Tobafushimi, Aizu War, and Hakodate War with Satsuma Domain.
In addition, Sadowara Castle was destroyed for the policy of the Meiji government.

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

[Map]

[Description]
Miyakono Castle used to stand in Miyakojima Town, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture.
It was built by Hongo Yoshihisa, who was the second head of the Hongo family (the Miyakonojo Shimazu family). After that, the Hongo family lived in it.

In the Warring States period, the Ijuin family, which was a senior statesman of the Shimazu family, approached Toyotomi Hideyoshi and received Miyakono Castle with 80000 kokus estate as a lord. The area was important to rule Miyakonojo Basin.

In the 4th year of the Keicho period (1599), Shimazu Tadatsune assassinated Ijuin Tadamune for his selfish behavior. Then, Tadamune’s heir Tadamasa raised the standard of revolt to the Shimazu family. He was besieged in Miyakono Castle for a long time. （Shonai War）

Finally, he made peace with the Shimazu family. However, after that, he and his family were killed. After the Ijuin family got extinct, the Hongo family became the head of Miyakono Castle again. In the 1st year of the Gen’na period (1615), it was destroyed because the shogunate restricted one domain to own only one castle.

Now, the ruin is used as Miyakono Castle Park.

[Address,access]
803 Miyakojima Town, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture 885-0083

[Map]

[Description]
Kimotsuki Castle used to stand in a mountain in current Nitomihonjo, Kimotsuki Town, Kimotsuki District, Kagoshima Prefecture. It was originally called Takayama Castle.
It was built by Taira Kanesada’s son Kanetoshi at the end of the Heian period. He established the Kimotsuki family.

In the Warring States period, it became a modern style castle. Osumi Province barely survived the Warring States period although it is sandwiched by the Satsuma Shimazu family in the south and the Hyuga Ito family in the north. However, in the 1st year of the Tensho period (1573), when Kimotsuki Knetsugu was the head, Kimotsuki Castle was attacked by the Shimazu family and he lost the castle.

The Kimotsukifamily resisted for some time, but in the 2nd year of the Tensho period (1574), the 19th head Kimotsuki Kanemori finally followed the Shimazu family. Although he didn’t lose his territory then, in the 8th year of the Tensho period (1581), he was transferred to another area. The castle was destroyed at that time.

In the 5th year of the Keicho period (1600), Kimotsuki Kanemori was killed in the Battle of Sekigahara. His heir Kaneyuki suddenly died, too. The Kimotsuki family adopted from the Niro family, which served the Shimazu family, too.

[Address,access]
8357 Nitomi, Kimotsuki Town, Kimotsuki District, Kagoshima Prefecture 893-1207

[Map]

[Description]
Saiki Castle is a mountain castle located in Saiki City, Oita Province.
Mr. Saeki was originally a rich man in Saiki, he was the vassal of Mr. Outomo who built [Togamure Castle].

However, Daiei 7 year (1572), there was an attempt to sonspitate the master [Outomo Yoshiaki], [Usuki Nagakage] attacked Togamure Castle by roughly 20000 soldiers. [Saeki Koreharu] defended and the castle did not fall down.

After that, Koreharu was killed. When entering the end of Sengoku Period, Keicho 5 year (1600), the Battle of Sekigahara occurred and the country was divided into two. In addition, [Mouri Takamasa] was given Saiki 20000 stones from Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Takamasa thought [Togamure Castle] did not match modern castle, he prepared to build a new castle [Saiki Castle]. After that, Tokugawa Shogun established, and Saiki Clan was ruled by Mr. Mouri for 12 generations until Meiji Era.

There is almost nothing left on the current castle ruins, but [Sonnomaru Oar gate] and stones can be seen. In addition, Saika City Historical Museum is built.

[Address,access]
〒876-0831 Oute Town, Saiki City, Oita Province

[Map]

[Description]
Togamure Castle is a mountain castle located in Saiki City, Oita Province.
The castle built year is unknown, But it is said that the castle was built by Saeki Koreharu during Daiei Period.

Daiei 7 year (1527), he was suspected that there was an attempt to sonspitate the master [Outomo Yoshiaki], and [Usuki Nagakage] attacked by roughly 20000 soldiers. However, Togamure Castle had the natural advantages, at that time, the castle was being protected wonderfully. After that, Koreharu handed over the castle and backed to Hyoga Country.

However, he was killed on the way. After that, it is considered that Togamure Castle wa ruled by Mr. Saeki, but Tensho 6 year (1578), Mr. Outomo was greatly defeated by Shimazu army.

At that time, Saeki Korenori, Koremasa died, the son of Koremasa [Saeki Koresada] inherited. Mr. Outomo escaped from being destroyed because of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s reinforcement. When Outomo Sorin died, [Yoshimune] inherited, and he escaped in front of the enemy at the Battle of Korea. As a result, Mr. Outomo was replaced.

At that time, Mr. Saeki also lost the territories .After that, the details of Togamure Castle was unknown for a while, and Keicho 5 year (1600), [Mouri Takamasa] was awarded Saeki with 20000 stones.

Takamasa thought [Togamure Castle] did not match modern castle, he prepared to build a new castle [Saiki Castle]. Therefore, [Togamure Castle] became abandoned. Soil, moats, stones are left on the current castle ruins.

[Address,access]
Kamioka, Saiki City, Oita Province (Togamure Mountain)

[Map]

[Description]
Kitsuki Castle is said to be built by [Kitsuki Yorinao] in Meitoku 4 year (1393).
It is located at Yasaka River. Mr. Kitsuki was the vassal of Mr. Outomo for generations.

Shimazu Yoshihisa, Yoshihiro continued advance to North and attacked Mr. Outomo’s territories in the end of Sengoku Period. In the end of the castle defensive battle, [Kitsuki Shigenao] guarded ths castle.

During that period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s army arrived, and Mr. Outomo escaped from being destroyed. Bunroku 1 year (1592), Hideyoshi sent army to attack Koran, [Yoshimune] who inherited from Outomo Sorin was punished for escaping in front of enemy, and his Bungo Country was forfeited. Kitsuki Shigenao] saw his master’s behavior, and he killed himself. Therefore, Mr. Kitsuki was destroyed.

After that, [Maeda Geni], Miyabe Keijun] [Sugihawa Nagafusa] was the castle owner. Keicho 4 year (1599), it belonged to [Hosokawa Tadaoki], and [Matsui Yasuyuki] was the castle officer.

Kanei 9 year (1632), when [Tadatoshi] was transferred to Kumamoto Clan, Ogasawara Tadatomo became the castle owner. After that, Shopo 2 year (1646), [Matsudaira Hidechika] was awarded 32000 stones and he ruled this area until Meiji Restoration.

Castle Mountain Park is built on the current castle ruins, and a museum, and a simulated Tenshu with viewing tower are built on Tenshu trace.

[Address,access]
〒873-0001 16−1 Josan, Kitsuki, Kitsuki City, Oita Province.

[Map]

[Description]
Koshosan Castle (Akizuki Castle) belonged to Mr. Akizuki, located in Notori, Akizuki City, Fukuoka Province.
Kennin 3 year (1203), Akizuki Tanekatsu started building [Koshosan Castle].

It is considered that it was used as pavilion at ordinary days, and when there was battle they would gather at Koshosan Castle. Koji 3 year (1557), Koshosan Castle was attacked by [Outomo Sorin] and fell down, the castle owner [Akizuki Fumitane] committed suicide, and his second son [Akiduki Tanezane] was got by Mouri Motonari.

Gradually Mr. Akizuki expanded his influence and became Daimyo with 360000 stones. Tensho 14 year (1586), when Toyotomi Hideyoshi started suppress Kyushu, Tanekatsu followed [Mr. Shimazu] and fought.

However, it was nothing when facing Toyotomi’s army, and Hideyoshi was defeated. Tanakatsu survived but his salary was greatly decreased by he was given [Takanabe Castle] at only 30000 stones. In addition, Koshosan Castle became abandoned after the battle.

Gate, stones, moat are still left.

[Address,access]
〒820-0332 Senzu, Kama City, Fukuoka Province (Koshosan)

[Map]

[Description]
Akizuki Castle (Koshosan Castle) belonged to Mr. Akizuki, located in Notori, Akizuki City, Fukuoka Province. Kennin 3 year (1203), Akizuki Tanekatsu started building [Koshosan Castle].

It is considered that it was used as pavilion at ordinary days, and when there was battle they would gather at Koshosan Castle. Koji 3 year (1557), Koshosan Castle was attacked by [Outomo Sorin] and fell down, the castle owner [Akizuki Fumitane] committed suicide, and his second son [Akiduki Tanezane] was got by Mouri Motonari. Gradually Mr. Akizuki expanded his influence and became Daimyo with 360000 stones. Tensho 14 year (1586), when Toyotomi Hideyoshi started suppress Kyushu, Tanekatsu followed [Mr. Shimazu] and fought.

However, it was nothing when facing Toyotomi’s army, and Hideyoshi was defeated. Tanakatsu survived but his salary was greatly decreased by he was given [Takanabe Castle] at only 30000 stones. In addition, Koshosan Castle became abandoned after the battle.
At the same time, [Akizuki Castle] was also abandoned. Kanei 1 year (1624), [Kuroda Nagaoki], the third son of the clan master of Fukuoka Clan was given 50000 stones by [Tadayuki]. After Hideyoshi’s Kyushu Battle, the abandoned [Akizuki Castle] was greatly renovated and [Akizuki Jinya] was built.

After that, Mr. Kuroda ruled this place for 12 generations until Meiji Restoration. In addition, Akizuki Castle was selected as the historical site, and gate, stones, moat are still left.

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筑前戦国史 秋月城主 秋月種実（吉永正春）

[Address,access]
〒838-0011 Notori, Akizuki Asakura City, Fukuoka Province

[Map]