Anesaki Jinya Ruins (Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture): The History and Present State of a Jinya Associated with the Matsudaira Family
The Anesaki Jinya Ruins, located in the Anesaki district of Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, were a jinya (fortified residence) built in the early Edo period by the Matsudaira clan, grandsons of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Although the area is now urbanized, a history deeply connected to the Tokugawa family is etched into this site. This article provides a detailed explanation of the history, structure, current state, and access methods of the Anesaki Jinya.
What is the Anesaki Jinya?
The Anesaki Jinya was a jinya located in Anesaki, Kazusa Province (present-day Anesaki, Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture), and functioned as the administrative center of the Anesaki Domain (Anesaki Domain). A jinya was an administrative and military base of a small domain without a castle, and the Anesaki Domain was a small domain with a scale of 10,000 to 20,000 koku.
A key characteristic of the Anesaki Domain is that it was ruled by Matsudaira Tadamasa and Matsudaira Naomasa, sons of Yuki Hideyasu, the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu—daimyo with extremely close blood ties to the Tokugawa shogunate. This area was a crucial transportation hub in Kazusa Province and an important base demonstrating the Tokugawa family’s influence on the Boso Peninsula.
History of the Anesaki Domain
First Establishment: The Era of Matsudaira Tadamasa
The history of the Anesaki Domain begins in Keicho 12 (1607). In November of that year, Matsudaira Tadamasa, the second son of Yuki Hideyasu (the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu), was granted 10,000 koku in Anesaki at the tender age of 11, thus establishing the Anesaki Domain.
Although Matsudaira Tadamasa became lord at a young age, his tenure was relatively short. In Genna 1 (1615), Tadamasa was recognized for his military achievements in the Siege of Osaka and was transferred to Shimotsuma in Hitachi Province (present-day Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture) with an increased stipend. This resulted in the abolition of the first Anesaki Domain.
Subsequently, Tadamasa served in the Matsushiro Domain of Shinano Province and the Takada Domain of Echigo Province, eventually becoming the third lord of the Fukui Domain (Kitanosho Domain) in Echizen Province, rising to become a powerful daimyo with a 680,000 koku domain. The Anesaki Domain holds significant historical importance as the first territory of a man who would later become a great lord.
Second Establishment: The Era of Matsudaira Naomasa
Four years after the abolition of the first Anesaki Domain, in December of Genna 5 (1619), the Anesaki Domain was re-established. This time, the lord was Matsudaira Naomasa, the younger brother of Matsudaira Tadamasa.
Naomasa was granted 10,000 koku in Anegasaki and another 10,000 koku in Echizen-Ono, making him a daimyo with a total of 20,000 koku, ruling the Anegasaki domain. However, Naomasa’s tenure in Anegasaki did not last long. In 1624, Naomasa was transferred to the Echizen-Ono domain, and later, after serving in the Shinano-Matsumoto domain, he eventually became the first lord of the Izumo-Matsue domain. For Naomasa, known as the ancestor of the Unshu Matsudaira family, the Anegasaki domain was an important starting point.
With Naomasa’s transfer, the Anegasaki domain was abolished again, and no domain was ever established in this area again. The Anegasaki domain, with its history of two establishments and abolitions, can be said to have been a stepping stone for young daimyo of the Tokugawa family.
Structure of the Anegasaki Jinya
Unfortunately, there are few clear historical records regarding the detailed structure of the Anegasaki Jinya, and its full form remains unclear. However, we will summarize the general characteristics of a Jinya and information that can be inferred from the current topography.
Location and Scale
The Anesaki Jinya (fortified residence) is believed to have been located in the Anesaki district of present-day Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, around the area of Anesaki Elementary School. This location, on flat land along the Sakaigawa River, offered convenient water transport and was ideally situated as a key transportation hub in Kazusa Province.
As it was the fortified residence of a small domain with a scale of 10,000 to 20,000 koku (a unit of rice production), it is thought to have had a relatively simple structure, unlike castles with large stone walls and keeps. It is presumed that the lord’s residence was at the center of the fortified residence, with the residences of retainers and offices arranged around it.
Defensive Structures
While the fortified residence did not possess the defensive capabilities of a castle, it did have minimal defensive structures. It is possible that earthworks, moats, and fences were constructed. However, in the peaceful early Edo period, these structures likely served more as symbolic displays of the domain’s prestige than as practical defenses.
Surrounding Facilities
The area surrounding the fortified residence would have included the residences of retainers, a merchant district, temples, and shrines. The Anesaki district still retains old temples and shrines, allowing visitors to feel the remnants of that era.
Current Status of the Anesaki Jinya Site
Current State of Remains
Currently, there are almost no clear remains of the Anesaki Jinya. The area believed to be the site of the Jinya has been urbanized and is now occupied by Anesaki Elementary School and residential areas. Traces of defensive structures such as earthworks and moats have also been lost over the long years.
The Anesaki Jinya Site is not designated as a cultural property, and there are no information boards or monuments, making it difficult to truly feel the presence of the Jinya upon visiting. However, it is an important place for understanding the history of the region and has value as a subject for local history research.
Historical Background of the Anesaki District
The Anesaki district was an important area even before the history of the Jinya. In ancient times, it flourished as the base of the Kamitsu-Nakami-no-Kuni-no-Miyatsuko (a powerful local official), and a group of ancient burial mounds, one of the largest in the Boso Peninsula, remains there.
During the medieval Sengoku period, this area was the site of fierce battles. Nearby lies Shiizu Castle (Shiizu Castle Ruins), a medieval mountain castle, attesting to the strategic importance of this region. The ruins of Shiizu Castle still remain today, making it an important historical site for understanding the history of the Anesaki area.
During the Edo period, although the Anesaki Jinya (fortified residence) was short-lived, it continued to develop as a transportation hub, attracting many writers and artists, and becoming a center of cultural exchange.
Highlights of the Anesaki Area
While no remains of the Anesaki Jinya itself remain, the Anesaki area offers other historical points of interest.
Shiizu Castle Ruins
Located near the Anesaki Jinya ruins, Shiizu Castle Ruins is a medieval mountain castle with relatively well-preserved remains such as earthworks and moats. It is a valuable historical site where you can experience the history of battles on the Boso Peninsula during the Sengoku period.
Ancient Burial Mounds
The Anesaki area is dotted with ancient burial mounds that demonstrate the power of the ancient Kami-no-Kuni no Miyatsuko (provincial governor of the Kami-no-Kuni). These burial mounds, among the largest in the Boso Peninsula, indicate that this region was an important center from ancient times.
Ichihara Historical Museum
The Ichihara Historical Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of Ichihara City, exhibits historical materials from all over Ichihara City, including the Anesaki area. There is a possibility that materials related to the Anesaki Jinya (fortified residence) are also housed there, so it’s a good idea to check before visiting.
Access Information
Access by Train
The most convenient way to reach the Anesaki Jinya site is by using the JR Uchibo Line.
- Get off at JR Uchibo Line “Anesaki Station” and walk for approximately 10-15 minutes.
- The area around Anesaki Elementary School is the estimated site of the Jinya.
Anesaki Station is approximately 30 minutes from Chiba Station and approximately 20 minutes from Soga Station on the Uchibo Line.
Access by Car
If you are visiting by car, the following routes are convenient:
- Approximately 20 minutes from the Keiyo Expressway “Soga IC” via National Route 16
- Approximately 15 minutes from the Tateyama Expressway “Ichihara IC”
There is no public parking near Anesaki Elementary School, so we recommend using nearby coin-operated parking lots or public transportation.
Access to Nearby Castle Ruins
When visiting the Anesaki area, we recommend also visiting the nearby castle ruins.
- Shiizu Castle Ruins: Within walking distance from Anesaki Station
- Otaki Castle: Approximately 1 hour by car from Anesaki Station, known as a famous castle in Boso
Combining these will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Kazusa Province.
Points to Note When Visiting Anesaki Jinya
When visiting the Anesaki Jinya ruins, please note the following:
- Almost no remains remain: There are no clear remains or information boards, so you will need to use your historical imagination.
- Residential Area/School Grounds: The estimated site of the Jinya (fortified residence) is currently a residential area and school grounds. Therefore, consideration must be given to avoid disturbing nearby residents and school personnel.
- Prior Study is Important: Since there are no explanatory signs at the site, studying the history beforehand will lead to a deeper understanding.
- Combining with Nearby Historical Sites: Visiting the Anesaki Jinya site alone may be insufficient. Therefore, it is recommended to visit it in conjunction with nearby historical sites such as the Shiizu Castle ruins and the burial mounds.
Historical Significance of the Anesaki Jinya
Although the Anesaki Jinya existed for a short period, it holds significant importance in Japanese history.
A Stepping Stone for the Tokugawa Family
Two daimyo, Matsudaira Tadamasa and Matsudaira Naomasa, grandsons of Tokugawa Ieyasu, started from this small domain and rose to become lords of large domains. It is believed that the Anesaki domain functioned as a place where young daimyo of the Tokugawa family first learned about territory management.
The Tokugawa Family’s Influence on the Boso Peninsula
The placement of a daimyo with very close blood ties to the Tokugawa family in Kazusa Province, a crucial region of the Boso Peninsula, demonstrates the Tokugawa family’s influence in this area. The existence of the Anesaki Domain is indispensable for understanding the Tokugawa family’s rule in the Kanto region.
A Key Transportation Hub
The Anesaki area has been a key transportation hub since ancient times, an important place where culture and goods intersected. The establishment of a jinya (fortified residence) in this area during the early Edo period indicates the historical continuity of the region.
The Later Life of the Anesaki Domain Lords
The Later Life of Matsudaira Tadamasa
Matsudaira Tadamasa, who started from the Anesaki Domain, served in the Hitachi Shimotsuma Domain, Shinano Matsushiro Domain, and Echigo Takada Domain before finally becoming the lord of the Echizen Fukui Domain (680,000 koku). The Fukui Domain was a large domain second only to the Kaga Maeda family, and Tadamasa established his position as a powerful daimyo.
Tadamasa is known as a wise ruler who dedicated himself to reforming the domain’s administration and solidifying its foundation. He devoted himself to the development of the Fukui domain until his death at the age of 52 in 1648.
The Later Life of Matsudaira Naomasa
Matsudaira Naomasa served the Anesaki domain, then the Echizen-Ono domain, and the Shinano-Matsumoto domain before becoming the first lord of the Izumo-Matsue domain (186,000 koku). The Matsudaira family, descended from Naomasa, was known as the “Unshu Matsudaira family” and ruled the Matsue domain until the Meiji Restoration.
Naomasa not only laid the foundation for the domain’s administration but also left behind cultural achievements. He died in 1666 at the age of 68 and was posthumously awarded the Junior Third Rank in 1907.
Comparison with Other Jinya in the Kanto Region
Numerous small-scale Jinya similar to the Anesaki Jinya existed in the Kanto region. Comparing it with these will clarify the characteristics of the Anesaki Jinya. ### Scale and Status
The scale of 10,000 to 20,000 koku was standard for a domain with a jinya (fortified residence). However, the fact that its lord was a grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu meant that the Anesaki Domain had a significantly different status from other small domains.
Duration of Existence
The history of the Anesaki Domain, with its two establishments and subsequent abolition, is a relatively rare case. Many small domains either survived until the end of the Edo period or were abolished once.
Current Preservation Status
Cases like the Anesaki Jinya site, where very few remains survive, are not uncommon among jinya sites in the Kanto region. Many jinya sites have been lost due to urbanization, and the need for a re-recognition of their historical value and preservation has been pointed out.
Summary
The Anesaki Jinya site in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, currently has very few remains, but it is a historically important place, having been ruled by two daimyo, Matsudaira Tadamasa and Matsudaira Naomasa, both grandsons of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Current Preservation Status The Anesaki Domain, with its unique history of two periods of establishment and abolition, served as a stepping stone for young daimyo of the Tokugawa family. Although its existence was short, the two lords who started here eventually rose to become lords of large domains.
While the Anesaki area is currently undergoing urbanization, a rich history dating back to ancient times is etched into this land. Visiting nearby historical sites such as the Shiizu Castle ruins and burial mounds will allow you to experience the history of Kazusa Province.
When visiting the Anesaki Jinya (fortified residence) ruins, try to learn about the history beforehand and use your imagination to contemplate what the fortified residence once looked like. The history of this small fortified residence, deeply connected to the Tokugawa family, will provide valuable clues to understanding Japan’s early Edo period.
