Akizuki Castle
The ruins of Akiźuki Castle contain ample ishigaki (stone ramparts) for the castle ruin enthusiast to appreciate, and even some extant structures, of which chiefly stark is the black gate which stands like a lonely shadow in the verdure of the orchard. Stone and earthen ramparts are found at the foo
History
Harada Tanekatsu built a mountaintop castle atop Mt. Kosho and a fortified home at the base in 1203. At this time they changed their name to Akizuki. The Akizuki continued to rule for 16 generations until Hideyoshi's 1587 Kyushu Campaign. At this time, the mountaintop castle was destroyed and the castle was abandoned. In 1624, Kuroda Nagamasa's third son Nagaoki was given lands around Akizuki and rebuilt the castle partially with materials from the earlier fortifications. The Kuroda continued to rule for 12 generations until the Meiji Restration when the castle was dismantled in 1873.
Field Notes
The ruins of Akiźuki Castle contain ample ishigaki (stone ramparts) for the castle ruin enthusiast to appreciate, and even some extant structures, of which chiefly stark is the black gate which stands like a lonely shadow in the verdure of the orchard. Stone and earthen ramparts are found at the foot of the old castle mount. Unique and mysterious is a prominent ramp-like bridge which rises to the beneath the ramparts but appears to go nowhere further, being a dead-end, or false start? The mizubori (water moat), as shallow as a puddle today, flows beneath a rectangular opening in the carefully placed stone blocks of the bridge. Perhaps placed for traction due to the incline, the bridge's track is made of tiles stood on end.
Akiźukijō is an incredibly pleasant site for a stroll, and conjures up in its turn all those quaint infinitudes of aesthetic charm that truly bless this grand archipelago. I can't say whereat this pleasing array was most bold. The castle town in its rustic loveliness of by-gone days? The mossy piled stone on the ramparts of the castle ruin? The sacred causeway of the shrine on the mount? In the infinitesimal transienge of mood, atmosphere and lighting, what objectivist could say for sure?
For the related kyokan site see here. Commentary by ART. Photo gallery donated by KyushuDan from Japanese Castle Explorer.
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| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Akizuki Castle |
| Japanese Name | 秋月城 |
| Alternate Names | Akizuki Jinya |
| Founder | Akizuki Tanekatsu |
| Year Founded | 1203 |
| Castle Type | Flatland |
| Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
| Designations | Prefectural Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Edo Period |
| Features | gates, samurai homes, trenches, stone walls, walls, castle town |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Amagi Sta. (Amagi Line), bus |
| Hours | |
| Time Required | |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 33.46607, 130.69543 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2009 |
| Contributor | Kyushudan |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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