Yagyu Castle: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:57, 1 September 2025

The ruins of Yagyu Castle are located above Hōtoku-ji Temple. There are no signs for the castle nor clear trails up the mountainside. Just before Hōtoku-ji, near the pond and well across from the dojo, you can pick an easy-looking route to climb. Once on the ridge, faint paths can be followed to par

History

Yagyu Castle was the Sengoku-period home base of the Yagyu clan, who appear in records as early as 1384. By the early 1500s the family had shifted from a nearby flatland yakata to this mountaintop fortress. The castle became the symbol of the clan under Yagyū Munetoshi (柳生宗厳, 1529–1606), who in the 1560s studied under Kamiizumi Nobutsuna and was licensed to carry on Shinkage-ryū, founding the Yagyu Shinkage-ryū sword school. Later, Munetoshi’s son Yagyu Munenori (柳生宗矩, 1571–1646) carried it into Tokugawa service, teaching the shoguns.

In 1544, Tsutsui Junshō launched a major campaign to expand his power across Yamato. Local families allied together under the Sugawa (簀川氏), including the Yagyu. On July 27, Tsutsui’s army of 10,000 attacked Yagyu Castle. The defenders held out, but the surrounding villages were burned, the “outer castle” was captured (possibly Yagyu Furushiro Castle), and the water supply cut off. On July 29, the main castle finally fell. Despite the destruction, the Yagyu were not eliminated. They soon rebuilt their base and continued as local leaders.

During the Eiroku era (1558–1570), the Yagyu allied with Matsunaga Hisahide, and in 1571, when Tsutsui Junkei clashed with Matsunaga at Tatsui, the Yagyu sided with Matsunaga due to their long-standing enmity with the Tsutsui. After Matsunaga’s downfall they aligned with Oda Nobunaga, and later turned to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Remarkably, the Yagyu were the only family from this region to preserve their name into the Edo period. They rose as daimyō of the Yagyu Domain and hereditary sword instructors to the Tokugawa shoguns. By the early Edo period, they had shifted their base to the Yagyu Jin'ya, while Hōtoku-ji Temple was founded on the castle site as the clan’s bodaiji (family temple).

Field Notes

The ruins of Yagyu Castle are located above Hōtoku-ji Temple. There are no signs for the castle nor clear trails up the mountainside. Just before Hōtoku-ji, near the pond and well across from the dojo, you can pick an easy-looking route to climb. Once on the ridge, faint paths can be followed to parts of the site. Two large horikiri (trench cuts) clearly divide the main bailey from smaller enclosures. Hōtoku-ji itself occupies part of the old castle grounds and embankment on one side may date to the castle itself.

Buses from Nara are infrequent, so plan your trip carefully. Nearby is the fascinating old Yagyu Kōdō stone-paved road, which looks ideal for hiking. You could also hike to Kasagiyama Castle, which was my original plan for the day—until it started snowing. Combine with visits to Yagyu Furushiro Castle and Yagyu Jin'ya for a full picture of Yagyu history.

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Gallery

Hotokuji Temple

Castle Profile
English Name	Yagyu Castle
Japanese Name	柳生城
Founder	Yagyu family
Year Founded	1530–1540
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Yagyu Bus Stop (Nara Kotsu Bus from Kintetsu Nara Station); 15 min walk to Hōtoku-ji Temple and trail up to the castle
Hours	Steep hiking paths, temple grounds
Time Required	30–45 mins including temple
URL	Castle Website
Location	Nara, Nara Prefecture
Coordinates	34.7327, 135.9868
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2025
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2025
Admin Visits	February 11, 2025
Friends of JCastle
Jokaku Horoki

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@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 During the Eiroku era (1558–1570), the Yagyu allied with Matsunaga Hisahide, and in 1571, when Tsutsui Junkei clashed with Matsunaga at Tatsui, the Yagyu sided with Matsunaga due to their long-standing enmity with the Tsutsui. After Matsunaga’s downfall they aligned with Oda Nobunaga, and later turned to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
-Remarkably, the Yagyu were the only family from this region to preserve their name into the Edo period. They rose as daimyō of the Yagyu Domain and hereditary sword instructors to the Tokugawa shoguns. By the early Edo period, they had shifted their base to the [[Yagyu Jin’ya]], while Hōtoku-ji Temple was founded on the castle site as the clan’s bodaiji (family temple).
+Remarkably, the Yagyu were the only family from this region to preserve their name into the Edo period. They rose as daimyō of the Yagyu Domain and hereditary sword instructors to the Tokugawa shoguns. By the early Edo period, they had shifted their base to the [[Yagyu Jin'ya]], while Hōtoku-ji Temple was founded on the castle site as the clan’s bodaiji (family temple).
 |Year Visited=2025
 |AddedJcastle=2025