Torikoya Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)

Torikoyajō is twinned with Murakami Takatsuya Castle, and is also known as Takatsuyajō Site B. It is separated from Takatsuyajō by some distance and intervening elevation. I came here as part of my tour of Murakami castle sites on Mount Kokuzō. Most of the forts follow the ridge in a straight co

History

For more information see my profile on Murakami Kokuzousan Castle.

Field Notes

Torikoyajō is twinned with Murakami Takatsuya Castle, and is also known as Takatsuyajō Site B. It is separated from Takatsuyajō by some distance and intervening elevation. I came here as part of my tour of Murakami castle sites on Mount Kokuzō. Most of the forts follow the ridge in a straight configuration, but here there is a little development of a ridge which forks off, as it has been terraced, but most of the ruins are found along a single path which follows the ridge on its way to Kokuzōsanjō. Please see the map to understand the layout of the castle. Features include earthworks like dorui (earthen ramparts), horikiri (trenches), kuruwa (baileys) and terraced sub-baileys, such as koshiguruwa (hip baileys). The largest bailey is located at the fore, and the main bailey, which is narrower, is located aft, facing higher elevation beyond a natural depression. To begin the arduous climb to Kokuzōsanjō, one must first descend down the rear of Torikoyajō.

Gallery

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Castle Profile
English Name	orikoya Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
Japanese Name	村上鳥小屋城
Alternate Names	Takatsuyajō
Founder	Murakami Yoshikiyo
Year Founded	Sengoku Period
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Horikiri, Koshikuruwa, Kuruwa, Dorui
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Nishi-Ueda Station on the Shinano Railway; hiking course
Hours	Free; 24/7; Mountain
Time Required	30 minutes
Location	Ueda, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.42934, 138.2161
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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