The History and Charm of Katsuyama Castle: A Thorough Explanation of Famous Castles Across Japan
The name “Katsuyama Castle” has been used for castles in multiple regions throughout Japan. Each Katsuyama Castle has its own unique characteristics, reflecting the history and strategic importance of the region. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the major Katsuyama Castles, from their historical background to their current status.
Katsuyama Castle in Echizen Province (Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture)
History and Background of Construction
Katsuyama Castle in Echizen Province is located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, and played an important role from the Sengoku period to the Edo period. It is believed to have been built by Shibata Katsuyasu, a member of the Shibata Katsuie family.
Shibata Katsuyasu was the nephew of Shibata Katsuie, a well-known retainer of Oda Nobunaga, and played a crucial role in the governance of Echizen Province. Built during the Tensho era (1573-1592), this castle was located in the center of Katsuyama Town, Ono District (present-day Katsuyama City) and functioned as a base for regional governance.
Katsuyama Domain in the Edo Period
During the Edo period, Katsuyama Castle served as the administrative center of the Katsuyama Domain. Although a small domain, it was ruled by hereditary daimyo such as the Matsudaira and Ogasawara clans, who governed the region.
Particularly during the Ogasawara clan’s rule, the castle town was developed, and commerce and culture flourished. Throughout the domain’s rule, Katsuyama Castle continued to function as the political, economic, and cultural center of the region.
Changes After the Meiji Restoration
With the Meiji Restoration, the Katsuyama Domain was abolished due to the abolition of the feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures, and Katsuyama Castle was also abandoned. Currently, very few remains of the castle exist, but a portion of the castle site is preserved as an important place that conveys the history of the region.
Katsuyama Castle Museum
In present-day Katsuyama City, there is the Katsuyama Castle Museum, which opened in 1992. This museum is a five-story, six-tiered building with a castle tower, and at 57.8 meters from the stone walls to the roof ornaments, it boasts the greatest height of any castle tower-style building in Japan.
The museum displays armor, textiles, and battle screens from various daimyo families, allowing visitors to learn about the history from the Sengoku period to the Edo period. The Katsuyama Castle Museum is a popular spot not only for history enthusiasts but also for general tourists.
Katsuyama Castle in Echigo Province (Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture)
The Fortress of Oyashirazu
Located in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture, Katsuyama Castle was a mountain castle situated on Mount Katsuyama, at an altitude of 328 meters, within the Oyashirazu-Koshirazu Prefectural Natural Park. This castle was located on the border between Echigo Province and Etchu Province, and held extremely important strategic value as a key point on the Hokuriku Road.
The Meeting Between Uesugi Kagekatsu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi
The most famous historical event at Katsuyama Castle in Echigo Province is the meeting between Uesugi Kagekatsu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, which took place in 1585. This meeting was held as part of Hideyoshi’s efforts to unify Japan, specifically to secure the submission of the Uesugi clan of Echigo.
At the time, Uesugi Kagekatsu was a powerful daimyo of Echigo Province, and for Hideyoshi, establishing a relationship with Kagekatsu was essential to solidifying his control over the Hokuriku region. The meeting at Katsuyama Castle resulted in Kagekatsu promising to submit to Hideyoshi, and he would later play a crucial role in the Toyota regime.
Geographical Features and Strategic Value
The Oyashirazu region where Katsuyama Castle is located is known for its rugged terrain where the Northern Alps meet the Sea of Japan. This topographical feature made Katsuyama Castle a natural stronghold, easily defendable even with a small force.
The Hokuriku Road, connecting Echigo and Etchu provinces, had to pass through this region, making Katsuyama Castle a crucial base for monitoring and controlling traffic. During the Sengoku period (Warring States period), this area was repeatedly contested between the Uesugi clan and various forces in Etchu.
Current Situation
Currently, remnants such as stone walls and baileys remain at the Katsuyama Castle site, allowing for confirmation of its structure as a mountain castle. While a steep climb is required, the summit offers magnificent views of the Sea of Japan and the Northern Alps, making it a historical site well worth visiting.
Katsuyama Castle in Kai Province (Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture)
Mountain Castles of Tsuru
Located in Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Katsuyama Castle is a mountain castle built on Shiroyama Mountain, 571 meters above sea level. It is an isolated mountain with a circumference of 3.5 kilometers, affectionately known locally as “Oshiroyama” (Castle Mountain).
Construction and History
Katsuyama Castle in Kai Province is believed to have been built during the Sengoku period by a locally powerful family. Kai Province is known as the base of the Takeda clan, but the Tsuru region, located near the borders of Sagami and Suruga Provinces, held a strategically important position.
The castle has a typical mountain castle structure, with the main keep at the summit and multiple baileys arranged around it. Its defensive structures, utilizing the steep terrain, are a distinctive feature, making it a valuable historical site for understanding the mountain castle construction techniques of the time.
Status of the Remains
Even today, the remains of the mountain castle, including baileys, moats, and earthworks, are well-preserved on the mountain. From the summit, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Tsuru city, allowing one to imagine the castle lord’s perspective overlooking the area.
A hiking trail has been maintained by a local preservation society, making it a popular spot for history enthusiasts and hikers.
Katsuyama Castle in Izumo Province (Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture)
One of the Ten Amago Fortresses
Located in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, Katsuyama Castle was an important branch castle, counted as one of the “Ten Amago Fortresses” protecting Gassan-Toda Castle, the Amago clan’s base. It was built on a mountain approximately 250 meters above sea level, facing Gassan-Toda Castle from the northwest, across the Iinashi River.
Improvements by the Mori Clan
The remaining structures of Katsuyama Castle are believed to have has been primarily improved by the Mori clan. In 1565, Mori Motonari generally improved Katsuyama Castle as a fortified camp (a forward base for siege warfare) in order to capture Gassan-Toda Castle, the Amago clan’s base.
The Mori clan besieged Gassan-Toda Castle from Katsuyama Castle, conducting a long-term siege by starving the enemy of their supplies. This strategy proved successful, and in 1566, Gassan-Toda Castle fell, leading to the downfall of the Amago clan.
Characteristics of Sengoku Period Fortified Camps
Katsuyama Castle in Izumo Province retains many characteristics of Sengoku period fortified camps. Despite being a defensive built structure in a short period, it possesses an effective layout and structure, demonstrating the high level of castle-building technology of the time.
The baileys, earthworks, and moats remain clearly visible, making it an important site for research in castle archaeology.
Katsuyama Castle in Shimotsuke Province (Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture)
Residence of the Ujiie Clan
Katsuyama Castle, located in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, was built by the Ujiie clan around the end of the Kamakura period as a cliffside castle (a castle built utilizing a cliff) overlooking the Kinugawa River.
The Ujiie clan was a family descended from Utsunomiya Kimiyori, son of Utsunomiya Tomotsuna, and held power in northern Shimotsuke Province as a powerful branch of the Utsunomiya clan. Katsuyama Castle has a history spanning approximately 300 years as the base of the Ujiie clan.
The Haga Clan Era
After the fall of the Ujiie clan, Katsuyama Castle became a branch castle of the Haga clan, with Haga Takakiyo, son of Haga Takaie, moving there from Tobiyama Castle. The Haga clan, as important retainers of the Utsunomiya clan, played a crucial role in maintaining the Utsunomiya clan’s power in Shimotsuke Province.
Katsuyama Castle functioned as a northern military base for the Utsunomiya clan, and frequently engaged in battles with the Nasu clan. The Nasu clan was a powerful daimyo in northern Shimotsuke Province and had a long-standing conflict with the Utsunomiya clan.
Abandonment and Present State
In 1597 (Keicho 2), when the Utsunomiya clan was dispossessed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Katsuyama Castle was also abandoned. The Utsunomiya clan’s downfall is believed to have been caused by a conflict with Asano Nagamasa, a retainer of Hideyoshi.
Currently, the remains of Katsuyama Castle, including earthworks, moats, and baileys, are preserved, making it a valuable historical site for understanding the structure of medieval cliffside castles. It is protected as a cultural property of Sakura City and is utilized as an important place to convey the region’s history.
Common Features and Characteristics of Katsuyama Castles
Construction Utilizing Topography
A common characteristic of Katsuyama Castles throughout Japan is that, as the place name “Katsuyama” suggests, many are built on mountains or high ground. These castles were designed as defensive structures that made maximum use of the natural terrain.
Mountain castles have the advantage of being more difficult to attack and easier to defend than castles on flat land, and many were built throughout Japan during the Sengoku period. Katsuyama Castle is no exception, playing an important role as a regional defense base.
Located in Strategic Locations
Many Katsuyama Castles are built in strategically important locations, such as transportation hubs or border regions. Katsuyama Castle in Echigo Province was located on the border between Echigo and Etchu provinces, while Katsuyama Castle in Shimotsuke Province was situated in the border region with the Nasu clan. These locations played a crucial role in maintaining the balance of power in the region.
Changes Over Time
Many Katsuyama Castles, built or renovated during the Sengoku period, ceased to serve their purpose in the Edo period and were either abandoned or used as domain offices. While some, like Katsuyama Castle in Echizen Province, continued to function as domain offices, most were completely abandoned after the Meiji Restoration.
Remains and Preservation Status of Katsuyama Castles
Existing Remains
Remains from the time of construction, to varying degrees, still exist at various Katsuyama Castle sites. The main remains include the following:
- Kuruwa: The central area of a castle or a flat area serving as a defensive stronghold.
- Dorui: A defensive wall made of piled-up earth.
- Horikiri: A moat dug to cut across a ridge.
- Ishigaki: A defensive wall made of stacked stones (including those added in later periods).
- Idoato: The castle’s water source.
These remain valuable resources for understanding the castle construction techniques and structure of the time.
Efforts for Preservation and Utilization
At various Katsuyama Castle ruins, local governments and preservation societies are working to preserve and utilize the remains. Maintenance activities include improving hiking trails, installing information boards, and regular grass cutting.
In particular, at Katsuyama Castle in Echizen Province, a facility called the Katsuyama Castle Museum has been established to convey its history, attracting many tourists and history enthusiasts. Although this museum is built in a different location from the actual castle site, it plays an important role in broadly conveying the history of the region.
Points to Note When Visiting Katsuyama Castle
Access and Preparation
When visiting Katsuyama Castle, a mountain castle, proper preparation is necessary. Bring hiking boots, comfortable clothing, and drinking water. Especially for Katsuyama Castles in Echigo and Izumo Provinces, due to their high altitude and steep hiking trails, it is recommended to visit with sufficient physical fitness and time.
Best Season for Visiting
The best time to visit mountain castles is from spring to autumn. Winter can be dangerous due to snow and ice. Also, in summer, vegetation can make the remains difficult to see, so spring and autumn are better for observing the ruins.
Utilize Local History Museums
Before visiting Katsuyama Castle, gaining background knowledge at local history museums or historical museums will allow for a deeper understanding. There are facilities in each region, including the Katsuyama Castle Museum, that provide detailed information about the castle’s history.
Summary
The name “Katsuyama Castle” exists in multiple regions throughout Japan, each with its own unique history and characteristics. Katsuyama Castle in Echizen Province, associated with the Shibata clan, survived until the Edo period and now stands as Japan’s tallest museum, preserving its history. Katsuyama Castle in Echigo Province was a strategically important fortress, the site of a meeting between Uesugi Kagekatsu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, while Katsuyama Castle in Izumo Province served as a base for the Mori clan’s attack on Gassan-Toda Castle.
These Katsuyama Castles played significant roles in their respective eras and regions, and their remains continue to tell their history today. Those interested in castle history or the history of the Sengoku period should definitely visit these Katsuyama Castles to experience their history and charm.
