Murai Koya Castle

I first visited this site in 2019. I went back this year, 2023, to find some scant remains which are said to exist in the form of dorui (earthen ramparts) around and near a temple in the vicinity. I was able to identify two possible dorui sites, both at the temple and in a field between nearby homes

History

It is said that Muraijō was the fort of Tezuka Mitsumori, a vassal of Minamoto Yoshinaka. The Murai Clan are also thought to have later inhabited the site from the Kamakura period onwards, which was where the fort got its name. During this time Muraijō would've been the site of the clan's main fortified residence (yakata) on the plain, and Sugawarajō served as a branch castle. In 1548 Takeda Shingen went to war against Ogasawara Nagatoki. Muraijō belonged to Ogasawara and was used to defend central Shinano. Ogasawara was defeated at the Battle of Shiojiri Pass (located to the south of Muraijō) and the castellans of Muraijō, the Murai Clan, were wiped out. Takeda Shingen conquered Muraijō and used it to advance upon and capture Hayashijō. In 1550 Hayashijō fell and Muraijō, being replaced by Fukashijō (later renamed Matsumotojō), was abandoned.

Field Notes

I first visited this site in 2019. I went back this year, 2023, to find some scant remains which are said to exist in the form of dorui (earthen ramparts) around and near a temple in the vicinity. I was able to identify two possible dorui sites, both at the temple and in a field between nearby homes and what looks to be a depot for tractors.

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Gallery

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  Description in Japanese on signboard
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  Dorui (earthen ramparts)
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  Dorui
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  Possible dorui remains
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Castle Profile
English Name	Murai Koya Castle
Japanese Name	村井小屋館
Alternate Names	Koya-yakata (小屋館)
Founder	Murai Clan
Year Founded	Kamakura Period
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Dorui
Features
Visitor Information
Access	Murai Station on the Chūō Main Line; walk 5 minutes
Hours	24/7; free
Time Required	Thirty Seconds
URL	Castle Website
Location	Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.17764, 137.95485
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2019
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Jōkaku Hōrōki
Yogo
Umoreta Kojō
Shiro to Kosenjō

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(one vote)

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