History and Highlights of Tadotsu Jinya (Kagawa Prefecture) | Site of a Jinya Built on the Coast of a Branch Domain of the Marugame Domain
What is Tadotsu Jinya?
Tadotsu Jinya (Tadotsu Jinya) was the administrative center of the Tadotsu Domain, located in Tadotsu-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa Prefecture. Also known as “Goten” (palace), it was a Jinya built in 1827 by the Tadotsu Domain, a branch domain of the Marugame Domain that held a territory of 10,000 koku.
A Jinya is a facility established by small domains without castles to serve as the residence of the lord and an office for conducting domain affairs. Tadotsu Jinya was one such example. Notably, it had a structure resembling a sea castle, taking advantage of its location facing the Seto Inland Sea.
Although the Jinya buildings no longer remain, some of the former samurai residences and lord’s residences remain as place names, and a stone monument has been erected at the site of the Hasuhori moat. Located in a prime location, approximately a 10-minute walk from Tadotsu Station, this site is ideal for historical exploration.
The Establishment of the Tadotsu Domain and the Construction of its Fortified Residence
The Birth of the Tadotsu Domain
The Tadotsu Domain was established in 1694 (Genroku 7). It was created when Kyogoku Takatoyo, the lord of the Marugame Domain, granted 10,000 koku to his illegitimate eldest son (son of a concubine), Kyogoku Takamichi.
The Marugame Domain was a domain in Sanuki Province (present-day Kagawa Prefecture) ruled by the Kyogoku family, and the Tadotsu Domain was positioned as a branch domain. However, at the time of its establishment, the domain did not have its own castle or fortified residence, and the lord of the Tadotsu Domain resided within Marugame Castle. This is thought to be a result of prioritizing its relationship with the main Marugame Domain, given its nature as a branch domain.
The Road to the Construction of the Jinya (Fortified Residence)
It took 133 years for the Tadotsu Domain to have its own Jinya. The first three lords, from the first to the third, resided in the castle town of Marugame, but a major turning point came during the time of the fourth lord, Kyogoku Takakane.
In March 1827 (Bunsei 10), Takakane petitioned the shogunate for permission to construct a Jinya. At the time, the construction of new castles and Jinya was under strict control by the shogunate, and obtaining permission was not easy. However, Takakane’s request was granted, and the Jinya was completed in November of the same year.
With the construction of this Jinya, the Tadotsu Domain finally had its own base and was able to establish itself as a proper domain.
Structure and Size of the Tadotsu Jinya
Location and Size of the Jinya
The Tadotsu Jinya was located in the area centered around the current JR Shikoku Tadotsu Factory. The site was vast, measuring approximately 700 meters east-west and 200 meters north-south, making it a relatively large area for a small-scale jinya (fortified residence).
The jinya’s location was highly distinctive: it faced the Seto Inland Sea to the north, was surrounded by the Sakuragawa River to the south and west, and was defended by a moat to the east. This arrangement combined the convenience of water transport with defensive capabilities, creating a structure similar to a “sea castle,” a design that maximized the geographical characteristics of the port town of Tadotsu.
Facilities within the Jinya
The jinya housed various facilities for conducting the domain’s administration. The main facilities included the following:
Residence: The building where the lord and his family resided, and the central hub of the jinya.
Training Ground: A place where samurai underwent military training and martial arts practice.
Armory: A warehouse for storing weapons such as swords, spears, and firearms.
Drum Tower: A tower used for beating drums to announce the time, serving to communicate the time both inside and outside the fort.
Domain School: An educational institution where the children of samurai were taught, primarily focusing on Confucianism.
Swordsmanship Dojo and Archery Range: A martial arts training facility where swordsmanship and archery practiced.
These facilities demonstrate that, despite their small size, the domain was equipped to adequately fulfill its functions.
Historical Background of the Tadotsu Fort
The Kyogoku Family and the Tadotsu Domain
The Kyogoku family, who ruled the Tadotsu Domain, was a prestigious samurai family based in Omi Province (present-day Shiga Prefecture). During the Sengoku period, they served the Asai clan, and later served Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, continuing as daimyo.
The Kyogoku family of the Marugame Domain originated in 1641 when Kyogoku Takakazu was granted a 60,000 koku domain in Marugame, Sanuki Province. Later, in 1694, the Tadotsu Domain was established through a division of territory, and it continued as a branch of the Kyogoku family until the end of the Edo period.
From the End of the Edo Period to the Abolition of the Domains
After the completion of the Tadotsu Jinya (fortified residence), the Tadotsu Domain faced the turbulent period of the late Edo period. During this time, the Tadotsu Domain, along with its parent domain, the Marugame Domain, sided with the shogunate and experienced the upheaval of the Meiji Restoration.
With the abolition of the domains in 1871, the Tadotsu Domain became Tadotsu Prefecture, and was later incorporated into Kagawa Prefecture. This brought an end to the 177-year history of the Tadotsu Domain, and the Jinya also ceased to function.
The buildings of the Jinya (fortified residence) were demolished after the Meiji era, and the site gradually became urbanized. Currently, it is occupied by railway facilities and residential areas, making it difficult to imagine its former appearance.
Current Highlights of the Tadotsu Jinya Site
Remaining Structures and Historical Sites
The current Tadotsu Jinya site is largely residential, and very few buildings or other remains are left. However, a few traces remain that evoke the past.
Remains of Samurai Residences: The place name “Kachu” (家中) remains around the Jinya, indicating that the residences of samurai once stood there. This can also be seen in the names of intersections within Tadotsu town.
Remains of Samurai Residences: In some sections, the layout of the roads suggests the arrangement of samurai residences.
Stone Monument at the Lotus Moat Site: A stone monument marking the Jinya’s existence stands at the site of the lotus moat, which once served as a defensive structure for the Jinya. A small garden is situated near the intersection separating the main street from the local place names, and a monument stands there. This stone monument is a valuable historical site that conveys the history of the Tadotsu Jinya (fortified residence) to future generations.
Related Historical Sites in the Surrounding Area
When visiting the Tadotsu Jinya site, we recommend also visiting the surrounding historical sites.
Doryu-ji Temple: The 77th temple of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, and a historic temple in Tadotsu.
Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorin-ji Temple: Tadotsu is also known as the birthplace of Shorin-ji Kempo, and the head temple is located here.
Tadotsu Port: The port that the Jinya once faced, it still functions as an important port on the Seto Inland Sea. You can feel the history of Tadotsu as a port town here.
Access and Visiting Information for Tadotsu Jinya
Location and Access Methods
Location: Around Higashishinmachi, Tadotsu-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa Prefecture
Access by Train:
- Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Yosan Line “Tadotsu Station”
- Tadotsu Station is a major station where express trains also stop, and is accessible in approximately 30 minutes from Takamatsu Station and approximately 1 hour from Okayama Station.
Access by Car:
- Approximately 10 minutes from Takamatsu Expressway “Zentsuji IC”
- Approximately 20 minutes from Seto-Chuo Expressway “Sakaide IC”
Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot for the Jinya site, but there are public parking lots around Tadotsu Station.
Notes for Visitors
The Tadotsu Jinya site is currently a residential and industrial area, and there are no special viewing facilities. When viewing the stone monuments and explanatory signs, please note the following points.
- Please refrain from entering residential areas or private property.
- As it is located along a busy road, please be mindful of safety during your visit.
- When taking photographs, please be considerate of the privacy of surrounding residents.
- Please be careful not to damage the explanatory signs or monuments.
Visits are possible year-round. However, since very few remains are left, researching the history of Tadotsu Town and the layout of the Jinya (fortified residence) beforehand will deepen your understanding.
Historical Significance of Tadotsu Jinya
Characteristics as a Branch Domain Jinya
Tadotsu Jinya has interesting characteristics as a branch domain’s fortified residence. The fact that it did not have its own base for 133 years after its establishment indicates the strength of its relationship with the main domain.
On the other hand, the fact that the Jinya was constructed during the Bunsei period means that the Tadotsu domain gained a certain degree of independence. This period was a time when the shogunate system was maturing, and the financial management and territorial governance of each domain were becoming increasingly important.
Relationship with the Port Town
Tadotsu was a thriving port town from the Edo period, serving as a key point on the Seto Inland Sea shipping route. The fact that the jinya (fortified residence) was built facing the sea reflects the domain’s emphasis on maritime transport.
Tadotsu Port was also known as the gateway to the Konpira Shrine, attracting many pilgrims. The domain leveraged this advantageous location to achieve economic development and, despite being a small domain, maintained stable administration.
Significance for the Modern Age
Although only a few remains of the Tadotsu Jinya exist, its history is an important part of Tadotsu’s identity. Despite being a small branch domain, its history of building its own jinya and surviving until the end of the Edo period is a source of local pride.
In recent years, the historical value of castles and jinya ruins has been re-evaluated, and their utilization as regional resources is progressing. Regarding the Tadotsu Jinya ruins, efforts are being made to pass on its history to future generations through the installation of stone monuments and explanatory plaques.
Summary
The Tadotsu Jinya (fortified residence) was built in 1827 by Kyogoku Takakane as the administrative center of the Tadotsu Domain, located in Tadotsu Town, Kagawa Prefecture. It is a historical fortified residence where the Tadotsu Domain, a branch of the Marugame Domain with a 10,000 koku (unit of rice production) territory, finally gained its own base after 133 years.
It had a structure resembling a sea castle facing the Seto Inland Sea, with a site of approximately 700 meters east-west and 200 meters north-south, where residences, a domain school, and martial arts facilities were arranged. Although the area has been developed into residential land and no building remains exist today, the remains of the samurai residences and the stone monument marking the site of the lotus moat offer a glimpse into its former glory.
Located in a convenient location about a 10-minute walk from Tadotsu Station, it allows visitors to stroll through the area while experiencing the history of Tadotsu, a port town that once flourished. Though small in scale, the Tadotsu Jinya, which carved its own unique history, conveys the importance of local history to us living in the present day.
