[Explanation]
The construction of Tateyama castle was started by Yoshiyori Satomi in 1580. Until then the Satomi-family flourished in Inamura castle, and it is said that when Yoshitaka Satomi owned Kururi castle was the peak of the family. In 1614, when Yoshiyasu Satomi was the lord, Satomi-shi was subject to Kaieki and Tateyama domain was dismissed.

At the same time Tateyama castle was demolished. In 1781, Masaaki Inaba became the lord of Tateyama domain and owner of the castle, but he never rebuild the castle, and his son, Masatake, built Tateyama Jinya at the foot of the castle and made it Hancho.

電子書籍ストアBookLive!で試し読み

里見義堯 北条の野望を打ち砕いた房総の勇将

Yosyitaka Satomi, Boso’s great soldier who stopped Hojo’s ambition
Masami Inaba, a roju (a member of shogun’s council of elders) during Bakumatsu period, was considered to be a very capable domain lord. Tateyama-domain showed their obedience to the new government, and they continued until Haihan-chiken (abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures).

The current castle tower is a replicated castle tower that was rebuilt in 1982, and the actual structure of the castle tower is unknown. This castle tower is being used as a museum now, and there is also a castle park nearby.

電子書籍ストアBookLive!で試し読み

南総里見八犬伝（滝沢馬琴）妖刀村雨丸

[Address,access]
351-2 Tateyama, Tateyama-shi, Chiba 294-0036

[Map]

[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 Major Shogunate Army, the shogunate army is withdrawn and retreats to Osaka Castle.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]
“Takeda Castle” which is wielded authority in the country of Tajima is the mountain castle of the total stone wall which was extensively remodeled in the Toyotomi Era. Originally it was founded by Mr. Otagaki, a vassal of a mountain family who had power in the San’in region.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

After that, enter the Sengoku period, cast by Oshida family warlords “Hashiba Hideyoshi” who was appointed officer of the Chugoku Regional Capture Strategy and falling castle. Since then, Hideyoshi ‘s younger brother’ Hidenaga’ becomes a governing authority in castle. After that, Takeda Castle was appointed castle owner “Akamatsu Hirohide” as the base of Tajima’s country, and promoted the refurbishment of the castle.

Takeda Castle is a typical mountain castle, surrounded by stone walls that are overwhelmed around the castle, and was built up in the castle of total stone wall. When the Sengoku Era also enters the latter period, Heaven is belonged to “Tokugawa Ieyasu” and the “Sekigahara fight” breaks out with the West Army led by “Ishida Mitsunari” who does not feel comfortable with the rise of Ieyasu.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

Waves of warfare also rushed to the San’in region, and Hirohide joined the castle attack in order to stop Miyabe of Tottori castle given to the West Army led by Ishida Mitsunari. Although Ieyasu reported the intention to surrendering the castle without losing the castle at Tottori castle, at the same time “Kamei Shigenori” who could not fulfill his duty also joined in the castle attack. “Shigenori” and “Hiroshi” that caused Ieyasu’s feelings to be bad, but in the long run, “Hirohide” is taken responsible and is ordered to commit suicide by belly cutting.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

Takeda castle which lost the castle owner was regarded as abandoned castle. Presently the pedestal of the castle tower and many stone walls are kept beautifully. Takeda Castle is certified as a national designated historic site, and it is also selected for Japan 100 Castle Castle 56th. In recent years it has become a bustling castle with many tourists, Takeda Castle surrounded by the sea of clouds and looks like a castle in the sky, so it is also called a castle in the sky or Machu Picchu in Japan.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

[Address,access]
Wadayama Town, Asago city Hyogo prefecture 669-5254

[Map]

[Explanation]
Oda Nobunaga was called Kippoushi (Yoshiyoshi) when he was young and grew up at Nagano Castle.
Father, Nobuhide passed away, he became the owner of Oda family afterwards.

However, the Oda family at the time could not be said that the conflict among the clan constantly dominated Owari Ichikuni.
younger brother, Nobuyuki defeated Kiyosu castle lord Oda Nobumoto etc gradually by knocking down the castle owners he went on to dominate Owari.

By defeating the Nobumoto, Nobunaga relocates the headquarters to Kiyosu Castle, makes a major renovation, and will fight a battle afterwards based on this castle as a base.

信友を倒したことで信長は本拠地を清州城へ移し大改修を行い、以後この城を拠点として闘いを繰り広げて行くことになる。

[Address,access]
Asahi 1-1 of Kiyosu City, Aichi Prefecture 452-0932

[Map]

[Explanation]
Okazaki Castle is a castle of Matsudaira’s generations.
Ieyasu (then: Take Chiyo) at the Matsudaira family who was succumbed to Matsudaira after his father, Hirohata was murdered by the vassal, but was being threatened by the Imagawa family from the east remained the hostage of the Imagawa family.
And it is supposed to be the daughter of Sekiguchi who married to Imagawa Yoshimoto and became his wife.

The turning point came when Imagawa Yoshimoto took over Owari’s Oda Family and aimed for Kamakura to Kyoto. At this time, Ieyasu (then Motoyasu Matsudaira) was returned to Okazaki castle once and ordered the Imagawa army ahead.

And as soon as Imagawa Yoshimoto was battled by Oda Nobunaga in the battle of Okehama, he immediately returned to Okazaki Castle and formed an alliance of the Oda family and fulfilled his own wish.
After that, we will accumulate power in Okazaki Castle until we transfer our base to Hamamatsu Castle in Utsutsu.

[Address,access]
561 Yasuo Town, Okazaki city, Aichi Prefecture 444-0052

[Map]

[Explanation]
Oshi castle appeared in “Nobouno Castle” that became a topic in the movie a few years ago.
It is a castle that has made his name familiar to the world under the opponent of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Kansai region army, even if main castle Odawara castle was still fighting, still continuing the battle against surrender.

While Toyotomi Hideyoshu surrounded Odawara Castle, it was Mitsunari Ishida of Hideyoshi’s aide who was ordered to attack this castle. Mitsunari was despised as a bad captain from Kiyomasa Kato and Masanori Fukushima.

Hideyoshi dared to order castle as supreme commander in order to make Mitsunari military exploits in this war.

However, the crucial Oshi castle was a natural haven surrounded by paddy fields and muddy fields.
There are no obstacles, but soldiers are hard to fall off from the castle because of not having any obstacles so they could see clearly.
Here, Mitsunari will imitate the massive floodwater that Hideyoshi had done at Bicchuu Takamatsu Castle before.

However, even though enormous breakwaters have been completed and the shipwrecks are immersed in water, it seems that the ruffled work that was built up by an overseer or originally instantly became a cornerstone, but fragile breakwaters are partly broken down.

A large amount of water flowed into itself in the Minari Army and many casualties occurred.
Odawara castle which is the main castle surrenders, and Oshi castle will leave its name as a castle which has continued to bask in the Odawara battle only to the last battle.

By the way, the castle owner of the castle at the time was Narita, that Uesugi Kensin also set up an attack twice, but he could not drop it again, raising it just by burning the castle.

■ After the Oshi castle capitulation “What’s the end of the main Nobouno castle”?
http://www.jp-history.info/blog/1996.html

The current Oshi is surrounded by beautiful water digging, and the restored three-story tower is built.

[Address,access]
Inner citadel, Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture 361-0052 17-23

[Map]

[Explanation]
Around the Tenmon seventh year (1538), father Nobuhide moved to Koba Castle, so the third son, Yoshihiro (Nobunaga), only five years old, fell to the castle owner with the help of the old seniors. Nobunaga went to the same year in the same year experienced the death of (Moriyaku) Hirate Masahide at the time of the castle in Nagoya Castle and also has a meeting with Mino of Saito at the castle.

At that time, Nagano Castle was a square building, surrounded by samurai homes surrounded by moats and ditches.
The place is near the corner of the present Nagoya castle; it was also a transportation capital.

[Address,access]
1-1 Inner Citadel Naka ward, Nagoya city, Aichi Prefecture 460-0031

[Map]

[Explanation]
It was a castle that faced Lake Suwa, and it was Mizuki that protruded to the lake side before the Edo period. However, due to the development of tidal flats in the early Edo period, it was a little away from the lakeside. Another name is called “Suwa’s float castle” etc.

Although it was originally a residence of Suwa, when Tokugawa Ieyasu handed over the Kanto, Suwa was leaving Takashima and it was transferred to the country of Musashi. After that, Hineno came in on behalf of Suwa, but in 1601 Hineno was transferred to Mibu, and Suwa returned to this place again.

It seems that it was unnatural when I returned to my ancestral land. Then, Mr. Suwa entered Takashima Castle, and it will be greeting the Meiji Restoration. In addition, Suwa retained the land in the Edo Era, Tokugawa Ieyasu’s sixth son “Tadakita Matsudaira” was entrusted with him to keeping the “Yoshiharu Yoshiharu (grandchild of Kira Uenosuke)” in some cases.

The current castle tower is restored and it also serves as a museum, and Inner citadel is being maintained as Suwa Park. I also tried climbing up to the castle tower, but it was certainly located somewhere away from the shore of the lake. Before the tideland development, it was reminiscent of castle tower that the figure reflected on the waterside was beautiful indeed.

[Address,access]
Takashima Suwa, Nagano Prefecture 392-0022

[Map]

[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]
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]
As you can see in Marugame castle, the stone wall is very high and the castle tower has been built. The height of the stone wall is known to be the highest in Japan.

Castle tower itself is a small petite and the smallest guardian in the Mie castle Tower. Inner moat surrounded inner citadel, there was a samurai residence around that, but most of it was demolished in Meiji era.

In the era of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it became the territory of the Ikoma family, the main castle was Takamatsu Castle, and Marugame castle existed as the castle of Takamatsu Castle. Later, during the Edo Period several Daimyo came, but in 1658, the prestigious Kyogoku family of Omi entered in 60 thousand stones and enter the Meiji Restoration.

In Heisei 18th Era (2006), it was selected as “Japan’s No. 78th among Japan’s 100 Great castle”.

As stated above the height of the stone wall is not ordinary. I hesitated too to climb to Inner citadel. However, the view from the castle was a very wonderful landscape. I hope you visit it by all means.

[Address,access]
1 Marugame city, Kagawa prefecture 763 – 0025

[Map]

[Explanation]
Arako Castle is known as a castle where Maeda Toshiie was born.
Toshiie was not originally in the position to succeed the Maeda family, but was chosen by Arako castle owner because he served Nobunaga Oda as a follower.

The castle was small enough to cover the fence and moat in a small site. Currently, “Stone Monument of Toshiie Maeda” is stood there.
There is an image of “Maeda Toshiie” whose gallant figure is still transmitted to Arako’s station square.
Why do not you visit the courageous form once?

[Address,access]
Aruko Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 4

[Map]

[Explanation]
Kento 4th year (1455), fifth generation Kamakura Kubou “Ashikaga Shigeuji” moved from Kamakura to Koga, became the first Koga Kubou. After that, Koga Kubou Ashikaga continues for about 130 years to Ashikaga, Masauji, Takamoto Hare and Yoshiuji. “Furukawa Castle” is the castle that Koga Koga has been working as a base for generations.

This Furukawa castle was the center of the medieval Kanto. When entering the Sengoku Era, Koga Kubouke family will be swallowed as well as Hojyo’s advancing to Kanto.

And the daughter of Hojo Ujitsuna was married to Furukawa Kubou, which further strengthened the dominance of the Hojyo family. After that, the Koga Kubou family fought over and over in the uproar of the Kanto region, but when the Houjou Ujiyasu’s nephew “Ashikaga Yoshiuji” dies, there is no succession, and Koge Kubou will be discontinued here.

Originally Koga castle was built along the Watarase River, but unfortunately it was torn down without a trace because of the renovation work of the river. However, a monument called Kogaro inner citadel ruins is left on the bank of the river. Because there is not a chance to see it easily, it may be interesting to look around for a walk the Watarase River.

[Address,access]
3-10-56 Chuo Town, Koga city, Ibaraki Prefecture 306-0033

[Map]

Ueda castle which Masayuki Sanada built was once destroyed after the battle of Sekigahara in Keichou 5th Year (1600 years), and is being restored by Sanada’s next castle owner Sengoku. This reconstruction work was the one that excavated the burial maot of Ueda castle of Sanada again.

Therefore, it can be seen that the basic plan of reconstruction Ueda castle (territory) is almost the same as when Masayuki Sanada’s foundation was founded. Well, that Ueda castle is located on the terraced cliff where the Chikuma river rises. Both Inner citadel and Outer citadel surrounding it are behind the cliffs and the Chikuma River. Also, Ohbori from Oter citadel North to the west, which was called a hundred drilling, was originally a natural river channel, which was expanded and divided by banks into a large water moat.

And the river which flowed here moved to the north, it bent at right angle in the northwest of the castle and dropped to the Chikuma river. On the eastern side of Outer citadel, outermost region of castle was arranged. This is the major direction of Ueda Castle, but it was divided by a moat in the north and south.

Nobuyuki (Nobuyuki), who succeeded the trace of Masayuki, expanded the town outside this major moat, but Ueda castle in the Masayuki Era had a range surrounded by this moat and Yadesawa river to outermost enclosure of a castle. It is thought that it was a structure that totally took in the castle town inside.
(History group image series Sanada three generations)

[Address,access]
6263 Outer region of the castle, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture (Ueda castle track park)

[Map]

[Explanation]
[Fighting the Tokugawa army twice, the hardcore boasting the iron wall defense system]

In the first battle with the Tokugawa Army in Tensho 13th year (1585), (First Ueda battle), it seems that it was the time to see whether it was completed for the first time, it was only the minimum stance.

However, by the battle of the Keioi 5th Year (the Second Ueda Battle), it was in a form that was maintained as a modern castle, such as arranging a tower at the main points.

It can be implored not only from various situations but also from the excavation situation of gold leaf tiles. Ueda castle is considered to have taken a more solid defense posture by Sanada than Ueda castle after Sengoku reconstruction, even from the uncovered points and others places.

Masayuki Sanada attacked the army of the Tokugawa army twice and rejected it, based on this castle.

[Address,access]
6263, Outer citadel, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
(Ueda castle track park)

[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]
Maruoka castle existed in Maruoka, Sakai-shi in Fukui Prefecture. It was a flat mountain castle located on top of the hill that was at the East side of Maruoka city. It is also called Kasumiga Castle.

It was built by Katsutoyo Shibata, who was a Nobunaga Oda’s vassal that had moved from Toyoharaji castle.
In 1582 after the incident of Honnnoji, Katsutoyo was moved to Nagahama castle in Omi through the Kiyosu conference, and instead Katsuie appointed Iekiyo Yasuie as the new owner of Maruoka castle.

In 1583 when the battle of Shizugatake occurred after the relationship between Katsuie Shibata and Hideyoshi Toyotomi became worse, Katsuie lost at this war and was killed at Kitanosho castle. After that Echizen became under control of Nagahide Niwa, and Nagahide appointed Munekatsu Aoyama sa the owner of Maruoka castle.

After the death of Nagahide Niwa, Munekatsu Aoyama and his son Tadamoto continued to be vassals of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, keeping the ownership of the territory. In 1600 at the battle of Sekigahara, they supported the West troops (Mitsunari Ishida), had lost the war and the Aoyama family was subject to Kaieki.

Hideyasu Yuki, Ieyasu Tokugawa’s second son, took over Echizen, and Moritsugu Imamura, Hideyasu’s vassal, was given 26 thousand Koku and owned the castle. However in 1612, Moritsugu Imamura was overthrown at the incident of Echizen, and Narishige Honda became the new owner of the castle.

After that, Tadanao Matsudaira, the 2nd lord of Fukui domain, was sent away to Bungo no Kuni due to his inexcusable actions, and Fukui domain had fallen. At the same time, Narishige Honda became independent from Fukui domain and he started Maruoka domain.

In 1695, during Shigemasu’s period, a family incident occurred among the Honda family and they were subject to Kaieki by Bakufu. Kiyozumi Arima then became the owner for 50 thousand Koku, and since then Arima-shi have been the owner until the Meiji restoration. It is estimated that the castle tower was built in Azuchi Momoyama period, and it is registered as national important cultural treasure.

※Maruoka castle is registered 36th in Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address,access]
1-59 Maruokacho Kasumicho, Sakai-shi, Fukui 910-0231

[Map]

[Explanation]
Kanazawa castle was located in Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa prefecture. Kaga domain’s Maeda family resided during Edo period, and currently castle ruins is registered as a national historic site.

During Sengoku period, a Buddhist temple called Oyama Gobo existed in the area, and it was the base of the battle of Kaga. Even though it was a temple, there were stone walls and moats, and it was considered as a fortress similar to Honganji temple.

Nobunaga Oda stopped the battle of Kaga, and ordered Morimasa Sakuma to build Kanazawa castle in this area. This castle was built between Asano river and San river that ran through the center of Kanazawa flat field.

After that, Nobunaga was killed by Mitsuhide Akechi at the incident of Honnoji, and Hideyoshi Hashiba (Hideyoshi Toyotomi) defeated Mitsuhide Akechi at the battle of Yamazaki. There were battles among the vassals of Nobunaga to decide the successor, and Hideyoshi Hashiba gained the power. But Katsuie Shibata and Kazumasu Takigawa were not happy about the situation, and Hideyoshi Hashiba was defeated at the battle of Shizugatake.

Hideyoshi Hashiba rose up as the next successor of Nobunaga because of this. Morimasa Sakuma was killed by Hideyoshi since he was a Yoriki (a governmental post in the Edo bakufu) of Katsue Shibata. Hideyoshi handed down Kanazawa castle to Toshiie Maeda, who was his friend and did not fight against him at the battle of Shizugatake.

In 1592 Toshiie started to remodel the castle, building Kuruwa, moat, 5 tiered castle tower, as well as Yagura. In 1587, Kanazawa castle was largely remodeled again by Ukon Takayama, who was invited as a guest by Toshiie after he was subject to kaieki (sudden dismissal and deprivation of position, privileges and properties) due to the edict expelling Jesuit missionaries.

During the period of the 5th lord of Kaga domain, Tsunanori Maeda, Kenroku-en was built next to Kanazawa castle. After that, the Maeda family continued to own the castle until the Meiji restoration. The ruins of Kanazawa castle was demolished except for one part after Meiji period to use the land for military matters.

Current Kanazawa castle is famous for Kenroku-en, which is one of Japan’s 3 greatest gardens.

※35th castle in Japan’s 100 famous castles

[Address,access]
1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa 920-0937

[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]