Kurobane Castle: Difference between revisions
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|Notes=Kurobane-jo is a Sengoku Period Mountain Castle and Edo Period Jin'ya ruin. It has sweeping earthworks, moats, trenches, gate complex ruins, and a reconstructed miyagura (watchtower). There are many impressive dorui (earth-piled ramparts) at Kurobane-jo. Between the Honmaru (main bailey) and Umadashi sub-bailey is a deep trench, and the earthwork ramparts around the Honmaru are up to 50m high. Following the Otedo (castle's main road) and entering through the main gate ruin one passes a deep trench whilst ascending to the Honmaru flanked on both sides by tall dorui, a double-rampart configuration. The Honmaru is accessed by another gate complex after the trench, and here one finds a wide open space where the lord's palace used to be surrounded by high earthen ramparts. Along with the reconstructed watchtower, there is a Noh Stage here now. A museum to the poet Matsuo Bansho now stands in the castle's sannomaru (third bailey), and it is built with ishigaki (stone walls) beneath an elevated walkway to simulate a castle gate, but this, whilst nice, is not a historical structure. It is immediately adjacent to the entrance of the Umadashi bailey next to the Honmaru. The ninomaru (second bailey) is now the site of large modern structures with traditional flare. They're sort of like traditional architecture fused with brutalism. Objectively they are ugly, but one of them is clearly "castle-esque" in its design, although now it is abandoned. Mizubori (water moats) and tall dorui enclose an area where the Jin'ya building was subsequently erected, now covered in bamboo. In the area beneath the sannomaru bukeyashiki (samurai homes) existed, and this area is now a garden, but a gate there is a nod to the bushi residences that used to be. Sharing the castle mount is Daioji, a temple with thatched roof structures designated important cultural properties, which I recommend you don't overlook. | |Notes=Kurobane-jo is a Sengoku Period Mountain Castle and Edo Period Jin'ya ruin. It has sweeping earthworks, moats, trenches, gate complex ruins, and a reconstructed miyagura (watchtower). There are many impressive dorui (earth-piled ramparts) at Kurobane-jo. Between the Honmaru (main bailey) and Umadashi sub-bailey is a deep trench, and the earthwork ramparts around the Honmaru are up to 50m high. Following the Otedo (castle's main road) and entering through the main gate ruin one passes a deep trench whilst ascending to the Honmaru flanked on both sides by tall dorui, a double-rampart configuration. The Honmaru is accessed by another gate complex after the trench, and here one finds a wide open space where the lord's palace used to be surrounded by high earthen ramparts. Along with the reconstructed watchtower, there is a Noh Stage here now. A museum to the poet Matsuo Bansho now stands in the castle's sannomaru (third bailey), and it is built with ishigaki (stone walls) beneath an elevated walkway to simulate a castle gate, but this, whilst nice, is not a historical structure. It is immediately adjacent to the entrance of the Umadashi bailey next to the Honmaru. The ninomaru (second bailey) is now the site of large modern structures with traditional flare. They're sort of like traditional architecture fused with brutalism. Objectively they are ugly, but one of them is clearly "castle-esque" in its design, although now it is abandoned. Mizubori (water moats) and tall dorui enclose an area where the Jin'ya building was subsequently erected, now covered in bamboo. In the area beneath the sannomaru bukeyashiki (samurai homes) existed, and this area is now a garden, but a gate there is a nod to the bushi residences that used to be. Sharing the castle mount is Daioji, a temple with thatched roof structures designated important cultural properties, which I recommend you don't overlook. | ||
Admin Update: Original profile and history by ART. Photos renewed by Admin in 2021. There is also an original samurai home gate, the Onuma Residence Gate. The gate seems to have been recently (May 2021) restored. The outer support pillars are clearly newer wood and even smell very fresh, but some of the panels are a darker much more aged look. It could be that only the panels remain from the original gate. | Admin Update: Original profile and history by ART. Photos renewed by Admin in 2021. There is also an original samurai home gate, the Onuma Residence Gate. The gate seems to have been recently (May 2021) restored. The outer support pillars are clearly newer wood and even smell very fresh, but some of the panels are a darker much more aged look. It could be that only the panels remain from the original gate. I would recommend you get off the bus near the Daioji Temple and visit here before continuing on to the castle. | ||
|History=Kurobane-jo was established in 1576 when Ozeki Takamasu relocated the clan stronghold from [[Shirahata Castle]]. During the 1590 Siege of Odawara, whilst the powerful Nasu Clan failed to send troops for the war effort and were subsequently demoted in the new order that followed Toyotomi Hideyoshi's victory, Ozeki Takamasu was prompt in sending troops and when Tokugawa Ieyasu took over former Hojo territory in Kanto he expanded Ozeki Clan lands to 13,000 koku at the expense of the Nasu. At the Battle of Sekigahara, Takamasu's son, Ozeki Sukemasu, fought for the Eastern Army, fighting with the Uesugi Clan in Aizu, and upon the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Ozeki were therefore enfranchised with a territory increase to a value of 19,200 koku. In the Edo Period the number of castles decreased as the Shogunate tried to limit the power of local lords, and this led to Kurobane-jo being reconstituted as a Jin'ya, a fortified administrative center typically smaller than a castle. Nevertheless, the extensive earthworks and defences at Kurobane-jo were retained and it must have been one of the strongest Jin'ya in the land. Despite not having the prestige of other daimyo, the Ozeki were trusted servants of the Shogunate and Ozeki Masuhiro, the penultimate lord of the Kurobane Castle, served in several important government posts, such as Naval Commissioner and Junior Elder. Masuhiro also imported Spencer repeating rifles to defend the castle and his territory. During the Boshin War, the last lord, Ozeki Masutoshi, fought for the Tokugawa and was defeated. Shortly after the domain system was abolished by the new Meiji Government, and Kurobane-jo was abandoned. | |History=Kurobane-jo was established in 1576 when Ozeki Takamasu relocated the clan stronghold from [[Shirahata Castle]]. During the 1590 Siege of Odawara, whilst the powerful Nasu Clan failed to send troops for the war effort and were subsequently demoted in the new order that followed Toyotomi Hideyoshi's victory, Ozeki Takamasu was prompt in sending troops and when Tokugawa Ieyasu took over former Hojo territory in Kanto he expanded Ozeki Clan lands to 13,000 koku at the expense of the Nasu. At the Battle of Sekigahara, Takamasu's son, Ozeki Sukemasu, fought for the Eastern Army, fighting with the Uesugi Clan in Aizu, and upon the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Ozeki were therefore enfranchised with a territory increase to a value of 19,200 koku. In the Edo Period the number of castles decreased as the Shogunate tried to limit the power of local lords, and this led to Kurobane-jo being reconstituted as a Jin'ya, a fortified administrative center typically smaller than a castle. Nevertheless, the extensive earthworks and defences at Kurobane-jo were retained and it must have been one of the strongest Jin'ya in the land. Despite not having the prestige of other daimyo, the Ozeki were trusted servants of the Shogunate and Ozeki Masuhiro, the penultimate lord of the Kurobane Castle, served in several important government posts, such as Naval Commissioner and Junior Elder. Masuhiro also imported Spencer repeating rifles to defend the castle and his territory. During the Boshin War, the last lord, Ozeki Masutoshi, fought for the Tokugawa and was defeated. Shortly after the domain system was abolished by the new Meiji Government, and Kurobane-jo was abandoned. | ||
|Year Visited=Viewer Contributed, 2021 | |Year Visited=Viewer Contributed, 2021 | ||
Revision as of 23:43, 4 January 2022
Kurobane-jo is a Sengoku Period Mountain Castle and Edo Period Jin'ya ruin. It has sweeping earthworks, moats, trenches, gate complex ruins, and a reconstructed miyagura (watchtower). There are many impressive dorui (earth-piled ramparts) at Kurobane-jo. Between the Honmaru (main bailey) and Umadash
History
Kurobane-jo was established in 1576 when Ozeki Takamasu relocated the clan stronghold from Shirahata Castle. During the 1590 Siege of Odawara, whilst the powerful Nasu Clan failed to send troops for the war effort and were subsequently demoted in the new order that followed Toyotomi Hideyoshi's victory, Ozeki Takamasu was prompt in sending troops and when Tokugawa Ieyasu took over former Hojo territory in Kanto he expanded Ozeki Clan lands to 13,000 koku at the expense of the Nasu. At the Battle of Sekigahara, Takamasu's son, Ozeki Sukemasu, fought for the Eastern Army, fighting with the Uesugi Clan in Aizu, and upon the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Ozeki were therefore enfranchised with a territory increase to a value of 19,200 koku. In the Edo Period the number of castles decreased as the Shogunate tried to limit the power of local lords, and this led to Kurobane-jo being reconstituted as a Jin'ya, a fortified administrative center typically smaller than a castle. Nevertheless, the extensive earthworks and defences at Kurobane-jo were retained and it must have been one of the strongest Jin'ya in the land. Despite not having the prestige of other daimyo, the Ozeki were trusted servants of the Shogunate and Ozeki Masuhiro, the penultimate lord of the Kurobane Castle, served in several important government posts, such as Naval Commissioner and Junior Elder. Masuhiro also imported Spencer repeating rifles to defend the castle and his territory. During the Boshin War, the last lord, Ozeki Masutoshi, fought for the Tokugawa and was defeated. Shortly after the domain system was abolished by the new Meiji Government, and Kurobane-jo was abandoned.
Field Notes
Kurobane-jo is a Sengoku Period Mountain Castle and Edo Period Jin'ya ruin. It has sweeping earthworks, moats, trenches, gate complex ruins, and a reconstructed miyagura (watchtower). There are many impressive dorui (earth-piled ramparts) at Kurobane-jo. Between the Honmaru (main bailey) and Umadashi sub-bailey is a deep trench, and the earthwork ramparts around the Honmaru are up to 50m high. Following the Otedo (castle's main road) and entering through the main gate ruin one passes a deep trench whilst ascending to the Honmaru flanked on both sides by tall dorui, a double-rampart configuration. The Honmaru is accessed by another gate complex after the trench, and here one finds a wide open space where the lord's palace used to be surrounded by high earthen ramparts. Along with the reconstructed watchtower, there is a Noh Stage here now. A museum to the poet Matsuo Bansho now stands in the castle's sannomaru (third bailey), and it is built with ishigaki (stone walls) beneath an elevated walkway to simulate a castle gate, but this, whilst nice, is not a historical structure. It is immediately adjacent to the entrance of the Umadashi bailey next to the Honmaru. The ninomaru (second bailey) is now the site of large modern structures with traditional flare. They're sort of like traditional architecture fused with brutalism. Objectively they are ugly, but one of them is clearly "castle-esque" in its design, although now it is abandoned. Mizubori (water moats) and tall dorui enclose an area where the Jin'ya building was subsequently erected, now covered in bamboo. In the area beneath the sannomaru bukeyashiki (samurai homes) existed, and this area is now a garden, but a gate there is a nod to the bushi residences that used to be. Sharing the castle mount is Daioji, a temple with thatched roof structures designated important cultural properties, which I recommend you don't overlook.
Admin Update: Original profile and history by ART. Photos renewed by Admin in 2021. There is also an original samurai home gate, the Onuma Residence Gate. The gate seems to have been recently (May 2021) restored. The outer support pillars are clearly newer wood and even smell very fresh, but some of the panels are a darker much more aged look. It could be that only the panels remain from the original gate. I would recommend you get off the bus near the Daioji Temple and visit here before continuing on to the castle.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Kurobane Castle |
| Japanese Name | 黒羽城 |
| Founder | Ozeki Takamasu |
| Year Founded | 1576 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
| Designations | Local Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | water moats, trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Bus from Nishi-Nasuno Station |
| Hours | park, open 24/7 |
| Time Required | 75 mins |
| Location | Ohtawara, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 36.86973, 140.12214 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2018 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed, 2021 |
| Admin Visits | May 9, 2021 |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Shirobito: Kurobane-jo | |
| Kojodan: Kurobane-jo | |
| Jokaku Horoki: Kurobane-jo | |
