Tsuwano Castle
Tsuwano Castle was a mid-sized castle, now only ruins, sited in Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture, Japan.
History
The castle was established by Yoshimi Yoriyuki, and it was inituially called Sanbonmatsu-jo. Its initial purpose was to watch over the province of Iwami.[1] The Yoriyuki family ruled here for 14 generations. The 14th generation Lord of the castle, Yoshimi Hironaga, supported the Mouri clan in the Battle of Sekigahara (1600) and was moved to Hagi with them after they lost to the Tokugawa forces.[2]
Following the Battle of Sekigahara, Sakazaki Naomori was awarded this domain for his support of the Tokugawa in the battle. He vastly expanded the castle. The stone walls at the top of the mountain date form this period. Naomori died in 1616, leaving no descendents.[3] Kamei Masanori was moved here in his place, and his family ruled as Lords of the castle for 11 generations. The tenshu burned down in a fire caused by lightning in 1686. With the coming of the Meiji Period, like many castles in Japan at this time, the castle was dismantled in 1873.[4]
Current site
The site now largely has only stone walls left, though they are extensive. The site has horikiri trenches and some small baileys. Bears are known to live in the ruins, and visitors carry bear bells to scare off the bears. There are a few buildings on site left over from the period, including the Babasaki Yagura, the Monomi Yagura.[5]
References
- ↑ J Castle "Tsuwano Castle" http://www.jcastle.info/photos/view/4002-Tsuwano-Castle
- ↑ http://www.jcastle.info/photos/view/4002-Tsuwano-Castle
- ↑ "Tsuwano Castle" jcastle http://www.jcastle.info/photos/view/4002-Tsuwano-Castle
- ↑ "Tsuwano Castle" jcastle http://www.jcastle.info/photos/view/4002-Tsuwano-Castle
- ↑ "Tsuwano-Castle" jcastle http://www.jcastle.info/photos/view/4002-Tsuwano-Castle
Coordinates: 34°27′36″N 131°45′50″E / 34.460°N 131.764°E