Akagi Kita Castle

Akagi-kitajō was for me the more interesting of the twin Akagi castles, although they're about the same size. Akagi-kitajō has a large, deep karabori (dry moat) running around it on three sides, about 12m wide. To the north is a small river and a reservoir. A dobashi (earthen bridge) grants access t

History

Akagi-kitajō is twinned with Akagi-minamijō to the south, "kita" being "north" and "minami" being "south" in Japanese (although usually cardinal directions come before the place name?). They were the medieval fortresses and residences of the Akagi Clan.

Field Notes

Akagi-kitajō was for me the more interesting of the twin Akagi castles, although they're about the same size. Akagi-kitajō has a large, deep karabori (dry moat) running around it on three sides, about 12m wide. To the north is a small river and a reservoir. A dobashi (earthen bridge) grants access to the main enclosure. The site is largely overgrown today, adjacent to a temple and surrounded by fields. Some of these fields have been taken over by creeping ivy which has climbed things and created strange shapes. One spectral figure has its arms stretched out, crucified, with a stump of a neck. Crows were gathering and a mad peasant was raving in an orchard. Despite my deep attraction to the site, I could not ignore a growing sense of foreboding. The main bailey was choked with ivy, bamboo and chestnut burrs which made progress impossible.

Gallery

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Castle Profile
English Name	Akagi Kita Castle
Japanese Name	赤木北城
Founder	Akagi Clan
Year Founded	Kamakura Period
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Murai Station on the Chuo Line; 35 minute walk
Hours	24/7 free
Time Required	30 minutes
Location	Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.16266, 137.97342
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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