Kusunoki Yakata: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:58, 18 September 2025

Today the site is occupied by a small local history museum. Unfortunately, there are no visible above-ground remains of the former yashiki. However, the museum is worth a stop on the way to Kami Akasaka Castle. Staff can provide maps, local information, and directions to the nearby castle ruins.

History

The Kusunoki Yakata (楠木館) was the residence of Kusunoki Masashige, located at the edge of the valley between Kami Akasaka Castle and Shimo Akasaka Castle. It was a fortified yashiki, a rectangular enclosure with surrounding moats and earthen embankments, serving as the family’s home and base. Archaeological excavations uncovered traces of the moat, though they have since been reburied.

Nearby is the Well of Kusunoki’s First Bath Water (楠公産湯の井戸), said to be the source of water used when Masashige was born (1294). It is currently closed to the public due to the dilapidated state of the wooden structure around it.

Together with trips to Shimo Akasaka Castle and Kami Akasaka Castle, the site reminds us that Kusunoki was not just another warlord out on a campaign but also a local leader, fighting on his home ground to defend the lands of family and friends.

Field Notes

Today the site is occupied by a small local history museum. Unfortunately, there are no visible above-ground remains of the former yashiki. However, the museum is worth a stop on the way to Kami Akasaka Castle. Staff can provide maps, local information, and directions to the nearby castle ruins.

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Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Kusunoki Yakata
Japanese Name	楠木館
Founder	Kusunoki clan
Year Founded
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	None
Features
Visitor Information
Access	Bus from Kawachinagano Station or Tondabayashi Station
Hours
Time Required	15 mins
Location	Osaka, Osaka
Coordinates	34.45921, 135.61931
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2025
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2025
Admin Visits	Feb 14, 2025

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(one vote)

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Castle
-|English Name=Shimo Akasaka Castle
+|English Name=Kusunoki Yakata
-|Japanese Name=下赤坂城
+|Japanese Name=楠木館
-|Founder=Kusunoki Masashige
+|Romaji Name=Kusunoki Yakata
-|Year Founded=1332
+|Founder=Kusunoki clan
-|Castle Type=Mountaintop
+|Castle Type=Fortified Manor
 |Castle Condition=Ruins only
 |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |City=Osaka
 |Prefecture=Osaka
-|Notes=When I visited, the road from the bus stop side of the ridge was closed for construction (see first photo above). There is a side road that runs along the opposite side of the ridge, but it was quite a long walk on foot to connect to the path up to the ruins. The school that now occupies the ridge-top — where the honmaru once stood — also did not look particularly welcoming to foreigners wandering through to reach the site.
+|Notes=Today the site is occupied by a small local history museum. Unfortunately, there are no visible above-ground remains of the former yashiki. However, the museum is worth a stop on the way to [[Kami Akasaka Castle]]. Staff can provide maps, local information, and directions to the nearby castle ruins.
+|History=The Kusunoki Yakata (楠木館) was the residence of Kusunoki Masashige, located at the edge of the valley between [[Kami Akasaka Castle]] and [[Shimo Akasaka Castle]]. It was a fortified yashiki, a rectangular enclosure with surrounding moats and earthen embankments, serving as the family’s home and base. Archaeological excavations uncovered traces of the moat, though they have since been reburied.
-Apparently there is a nice view over the valley, especially when the terraced rice fields are green, but access was limited during my visit. I may try again sometime, though realistically there are very few ruins to make the trip worthwhile.
+Nearby is the Well of Kusunoki’s First Bath Water (楠公産湯の井戸), said to be the source of water used when Masashige was born (1294). It is currently closed to the public due to the dilapidated state of the wooden structure around it.
-|History=Shimo-Akasaka Castle was built in 1331 by Kusunoki Masashige as a satellite fortification to [[Kami Akasaka Castle]] across the valley.
-When the shogunate mobilized a massive army to crush Emperor Go-Daigo’s supporters, Shimo-Akasaka became the first true battlefield of the rebellion. Masashige, with only a few hundred men, resisted thousands of attackers. The castle endured a prolonged siege and was eventually brought down by attrition. Cut off from water and supplies, the defenders were forced into desperate close-quarters fighting. Masashige escaped to [[Kami Akasaka Castle]], and later made his stand at [[Chihaya Castle]].
+Together with trips to [[Shimo Akasaka Castle]] and [[Kami Akasaka Castle]], the site reminds us that Kusunoki was not just another warlord out on a campaign but also a local leader, fighting on his home ground to defend the lands of family and friends.
 |Year Visited=2025
 |AddedJcastle=2025