Ken Castle (Kozuke): Difference between revisions

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|Castle Condition=Ruins only
|Castle Condition=Ruins only
|Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
|Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
|Main Keep Structure=
|Year Reconstructed=
|Artifacts=
|Access=Yagihara Station on the Jouetsu Line; 10 minute walk
|Access=Yagihara Station on the Jouetsu Line; 10 minute walk
|Visitor Information=Free; 24/7; Field
|Visitor Information=Free; 24/7; Field
|Time Required=10 minutes
|Time Required=10 minutes
|Website=
|City=Shibukawa
|City=Shibukawa
|Prefecture=Gunma Prefecture
|Prefecture=Gunma Prefecture
|Notes=When this little blip popped up on my castle radar what attracted me to it was the name, Kenjō, or "Sword Castle". Maybe this seems like a good name for a castle, but it's a little odd. For a start, single character names of castles are not so common (an exception would be Oshijō (忍城)), and one would assume that it should be read as Tsurugijō, which would sound better (kun'yomi and on'yomi go together more readily if the latter is a suffix). Well, anyway, the site is fields and housing developments next to a railway line. There is nothing to see of the castle except a crude wooden post with the castle's enigmatic name written on it - as well as what looks like a botched attempt at a mitsudomoe. So, it was amusing to stop by here at dusk - as you can see I used flash photography - at the end of the day, but I wouldn't recommend coming here. Now, apparently they've done some archaeological work here. There's some treasure associated with the site, a type of gong which was unearthed here, and which is now kept at a nearby temple and designated as important cultural property. We couldn't see that but it's probably infinitely more interesting than the castle site itself.
|Notes=When this little blip popped up on my castle radar what attracted me to it was the name, Kenjō, or "Sword Castle". Maybe this seems like a good name for a castle, but it's a little odd. For a start, single character names of castles are not so common (an exception would be Oshijō (忍城)), and one would assume that it should be read as Tsurugijō, which would sound better (kun'yomi and on'yomi go together more readily if the latter is a suffix). Well, anyway, the site is fields and housing developments next to a railway line. There is nothing to see of the castle except a crude wooden post with the castle's enigmatic name written on it - as well as what looks like a botched attempt at a double swirl pattern. So, it was amusing to stop by here at dusk - as you can see I used flash photography - at the end of the day, but I wouldn't recommend coming here. Now, apparently they've done some archaeological work here. There's some treasure associated with the site, a type of gong which was unearthed here, and which is now kept at a nearby temple and designated as important cultural property. We couldn't see that but it's probably infinitely more interesting than the castle site itself.
|History=Kenjō was built at the start of the Kamakura Period (late 12th century) by the Hiki Clan. This medieval fortification site is known chiefly from archaeological excavation. It was a simple fort surrounded by dorui (earthen ramparts) and a moat. There was one entranceway. It is thought that Nagao Kagetoshi occupied the castle in the late 15th century.
|History=Kenjō was built at the start of the Kamakura Period (late 12th century) by the Hiki Clan. This medieval fortification site is known chiefly from archaeological excavation. It was a simple fort surrounded by dorui (earthen ramparts) and a moat. There was one entranceway. It is thought that Nagao Kagetoshi occupied the castle in the late 15th century.
|Year Visited=Viewer Contributed
|Year Visited=Viewer Contributed
|AddedJcastle=2021
|AddedJcastle=2021
|Japanese Notes=
|Visits=
|GPSLocation=36.45801, 139.02006
|GPSLocation=36.45801, 139.02006
|Contributor=ART
|Contributor=ART

Revision as of 15:07, 24 August 2021

When this little blip popped up on my castle radar what attracted me to it was the name, Kenjō, or "Sword Castle". Maybe this seems like a good name for a castle, but it's a little odd. For a start, single character names of castles are not so common (an exception would be Oshijō (忍城)), and one woul

KouzukeKenjou04.JPG

History

Kenjō was built at the start of the Kamakura Period (late 12th century) by the Hiki Clan. This medieval fortification site is known chiefly from archaeological excavation. It was a simple fort surrounded by dorui (earthen ramparts) and a moat. There was one entranceway. It is thought that Nagao Kagetoshi occupied the castle in the late 15th century.


Field Notes

When this little blip popped up on my castle radar what attracted me to it was the name, Kenjō, or "Sword Castle". Maybe this seems like a good name for a castle, but it's a little odd. For a start, single character names of castles are not so common (an exception would be Oshijō (忍城)), and one would assume that it should be read as Tsurugijō, which would sound better (kun'yomi and on'yomi go together more readily if the latter is a suffix). Well, anyway, the site is fields and housing developments next to a railway line. There is nothing to see of the castle except a crude wooden post with the castle's enigmatic name written on it - as well as what looks like a botched attempt at a double swirl pattern. So, it was amusing to stop by here at dusk - as you can see I used flash photography - at the end of the day, but I wouldn't recommend coming here. Now, apparently they've done some archaeological work here. There's some treasure associated with the site, a type of gong which was unearthed here, and which is now kept at a nearby temple and designated as important cultural property. We couldn't see that but it's probably infinitely more interesting than the castle site itself.




Gallery
  • Site marker
  • Castle site today; no above ground remains


Castle Profile
English Name Kouzuke Ken Castle
Japanese Name 上野剣城
Alternate Names 半田剣城
Founder Hiki Clan; Nagao Kagetoshi
Year Founded Late 12th Century; Late 15th Century
Castle Type Fortified Manor
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access Yagihara Station on the Jouetsu Line; 10 minute walk
Hours Free; 24/7; Field
Time Required 10 minutes
Location Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture
Coordinates 36.45801, 139.02006
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2021
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Shirobito


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