Property:Notes
From Jcastle.info
It is a property of type Text.
A
Amemiya-yashiki is now the site of Jigenji, a temple. Dorui (earthen ramparts) partially surrounds the temple, particularly to the south and west of the site. In front of the temple is a waterway. The temple itself has beautiful architecture, including a shōrōmon (belfry-gate), hondō (worship hall) and kuri (kitchen), which are listed as important cultural properties. The hondō and kuri have elegant thatched roofing. +
The ruins of Ametoyajō consist of at least one principal bailey protected by horikiri (trenches cut into the ridge) on both sides. The complex of trenches to the mountainside rear are, in typical fashion, the most formidable. However, further along the ridge, and in the direction I came from, there are a series of flattened peaks which may have been used as auxiliary baileys. In truth it's hard to tell them apart from the natural form of the ridge, but a dobashi (earthen bridge) located between two of these pseudo-baileys is quite suggestive of their former fortification. It seems that many of the forts used to protect Aida were quite narrow in profile and sometimes poorly developed, and Ametoyajō is typical of this characteristic.
To reach this site take the ridge at the crossroads where there is a trail just to the right when coming from below. I saw a ladder here with a hook at the top. There used to be a bell hanging there. It was used to alert villagers to fire. People used to live here on the mountain? It's incredible to think. +
The site of Amidadōjō today is now the village of Amidadō; there are several parks, temples and many rustic homes +
Amidaǵaminejō ('Castle of Amida Peak') is now the site of a mausoleum for Toyotomi Hideyoshi centred around a large gorintō (five-tier stone stupa). The castle ruins are easily accessed by a long stone stairway which climbs in a straight line up the mountainside. Features of this castle include chiefly dorui (earthen ramparts) and some bailey spaces. There are remnants of dorui around the gorintō, and a large segment of rammed earth beneath the peak, to the right of the gatehouse to the mausoleum when ascending. By the way, from the peak one can see beautiful views of Kyōto, especially of Gion and Kiyomizudera. ([[User:ART|ART]] 2022)
One of the 36 Peaks of Higashiyama, Amidagamine Castle originally held a small castle that controlled one of the routes between Kyoto and Yamashina. Today the castle is mainly known as a mausoleum for Toyotomi Hideyoshi and some fantastic views of Kiyomizudera and the Kyoto basin. As you climb the steep stairs to the castle, your first respite will be a flat area with a large gate. This corresponds to the Second Bailey of the castle with the first bailey at the top. There are some large earthen embankments around this bailey, but is it unknown how much is original to the castle versus what was levelled for this gate. On the right side of this area, just over the embankment is actually the third bailey. At the top of the mountain where you find the first bailey there are some slight remains of more embankments too. Just to the right of the stairs at the top is actually a hiking trail that will take you down the side of the mountain to the third bailey bypassing the stairs. Actually, a normal hiking trail is easier on the legs than all those stairs too! From the back of the third bailey there is another trail that supposedly goes around the mountain to a fourth bailey but for me at least the trail seemed to fade away into thick brush so I gave up. I was originally hoping to get some nice photos of the valley in full autumn colors from the top, but it was a hazy misty day and so after waiting about an hour I gave up and spent the rest of the day walking around Kyoto enjoying the red leaves at Shinnyodo, Kodaiji, Tofokuji and more. ([[User:Eric|Eric]] 2022)
Photos mostly updated with [[User:Eric|Eric]]'s Nov2022 visit
An old farmhouse now stands on the site of Amino-Shingozaemon-yashiki, a fortified residence site in Enzan Township, Kōshū Municipality. There is a water channel running in front of the house, which also has a nice gate, and this is thought to have formerly been a moat. Some bloggers say there is dorui (earthen ramparts) here to the north. I went around the back of the site but couldn’t positively identify any ruins, even though there is indeed a small embankment of earth here in a copse. The yashiki site is along the ‘Takeda Shingen Walking Route’, which takes one through the countryside. On the yashiki site, which is now mostly fields, I also came across goats in a bamboo grove. +
Amino-yashiki is a fortified residence ruin in Mikkaichiba village of Enzan Township, Kōshū Municipality. It has dorui (earthen rampart) remains, which are now stone-lined retaining walls for an old farmhouse. It took me a while to actually find this supposed dorui. During that search I came across ‘Persimmon Gallery’, a small, local art gallery. I like persimmons – and had seen many appetising specimens that day – so I went in. Many drying persimmons were hanging around the veranda. Dried persimmons are a local specialty (see [[Kanzou Yashiki]]). The gallery owner, who provided tea and snacks, says that dried persimmon was an ideal ration food for samurai. +
Anjō-jin'ya is a hatamoto (bannerman) jin'ya site in urban Anjō. The site is now mostly housing, but there is a small field on a short bluff with altars and an explanatory board about the site; it is a locally designated historic site. I visited here as part of a tour of the Anshō trinity sites, the others being [[Ansho Castle]] (medieval), and [[Anshouko Castle]] (classical to medieval era) (this one: jin'ya = proto-modern era). No ruins remain. +
There is nothing left to see of the castle, but the samurai homes are fantastic. It is worth going out of your way to visit them. In particular, there are only a few examples of an original row house throughout Japan. +
Ano-yakata is a fortified manor hall site with dorui (earthen ramparts) remaining around a temple, Daisenji (大泉寺). I anticipated just a regular inspection of some earthen mounds, but, unbelievably at this minor site, received a guided tour! The volunteer guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Next to the temple gate was a table with many different coloured incense sticks. Each box of joss sticks was labelled with an effect it would produce in lighting and praying with, such as giving one perseverance or alleviating anxiety. As per usual, a lighted stick I placed in the urn before the temple hall. The impromptu guide showed where the cenotaphs of Ano Zenjō and Ano Tokimoto were, and so another stick I set there. The road leading to the temple and the temple gate is not aligned, and this, I was told, was because it was formerly the site of a masugata (angled) gate complex. I hadn’t noticed! The remaining dorui is quite tall. It faces the road, once an important trade route, and in bygone times a coastal swamp extended up to it (the modern municipality name is called Numaźu (‘Swamp Wave’) and so I suppose that’s why). +
Anrakuji-yakata was the kyokan of Iwaharajō. It is named for the temple built there later, of which clear ruins remain, including a very large and impressive chunk of ishigaki (stone-piled wall). This mighty ishigaki, a corner segment, bulges dangeorusly on one side, however, and I fear a powerful enough earthquake could dislodge it. More artifacts of the temple are found in the neighbourhood, including old tomb stones and a relocated hōkyōintō (宝篋印塔), which is a type of stone stupa. +
I think I was "tricked" into visiting this castle. On my way to Nishio Castle, there was a poster for the museum and the ruins of Ansho Castle with a photo that looked like it should be a castle wall and the top of a yagura. Actually it was just the temple you see in the honmaru ruins. The museum looks like it might be a nice local history museum but I passed on it and continued on to Nishio instead. +
Anshōkojō, a fortified manor hall site, is historically connected to the slightly better known Anshōjō, the latter of which is now a large park, temple and museum, as well as the namesake for the municipality of Anjō. Of Anshōkojō, the 'old castle', not much remains. There is a tall segment of dorui (earthen ramparts) with a small shrine atop, and a signboard explaining about the history of the site. There is a small field here and a bamboo grove. It seemed that there might be a trench in the bamboo grove, but it was completely choked and impenetrable. If the mound with the shrine dates all the way back to 15th or 14th century, or even the Heian period, then that's pretty impressive.
Anshōkojō, together with [[Ansho Castle]] and [[Anjou Jin'ya]], forms a trinity of fortification sites spanning three major epochs in Japanese history, from the classical era to the proto-modern.
Note: The fort sites today are oftened rendered as 安城 (Anjō) as per the modern municipality name, but historically it was also written 安祥 and pronounced 'Anshō'. 安祥 seems to be preferred by castle buffs, though various ways have been used to transcribe the name over the centuries (including 安静). The reading is a separate contention, and both readings are used; 安祥 is read 'Anshō', and 'Anjō' can be used with any kanji. 安祥城 is rendered 'Anshōjō' on jcastle.info, so I'm going with that. +
Aoiyamajō is now the site of a nature park overlooking Obama. The castle mount has been extensively modified as part of the park, with roads and an observation deck. There are cleared spaces throughout. One cleared space along the ridge between the summit and Kōseiji looks like it could’ve been a bailey. Between this park where there is a statue of a soldier and the road which grants access to the observation area, I found what looked like a tatebori (climbing trench). Trenches are rumoured to be found here! So perhaps this is one. There is also a pass cut through the ridge, but since this is used as a path it is difficult to ascertain whether it was originally used as a trench at the castle or not. These features are the closest I came to confirming any fortification ruins. The site is accessed from trails either side of Kōseiji. The temple itself is very nice, and the entrance to the trail to the northeast has what looks – if we use our imaginations – like a moat and ramparts, though these are unrelated to any medieval fortifications, and were probably built as part of the park since there is a war memorial stele directly above. From the castle mount the ruins of Obama Castle are visible. +
Aokijō is a sort of Popeye of a castle. The ruins aren’t so big, but the rear is protected by a very large trench (at least ten metres deep) with a well-constructed dobashi (earthen bridge) spanning it to reach the main baily, which is also protected on that side by dorui (earthen ramparts). This incredible defensive feature seems very large for an otherwise small fort, and so in its proportions and power reminded me of that famous sailor’s forearms! The site otherwise features two integral baileys, terraced baileys on the northern ridge, and what may be a tatebori (climbing moat) or dug-out road with embankments to the south. Aokijō is quite the interesting little site. +
This fortified manor hall of the Aoki Clan is now the site of the Yamatsuteru Shrine, Aoki Shrine, and the temple Zenshōji. Fortifications exist on the ridge of this temple. There is also a fairly sizable kofun (ancient burial mound) here of the keyhole variety, or zenpōkoenfun form. I covered a fair bit of ground here, much of which is unlevel terrain, but unearthed nothing definitive unfortunately. A plaque attests to the history of the site.
'Sakata' here refers to the historic district to distinguish it from Aoki Caste in Kōka / Kōga. +
Aonojō is a fortified residence site in Kamiaono Township, Okazaki Municipality. The site is now a temple elevated above terrain to the west. The remains of dorui (earthen ramparts) can be discerned here. The temple contains old cenotaphs for the Tōjō-Matsudaira Clan. +
There are 2 ways up to Aoyagi Castle, follow the road that takes you up the side to the ridge at the reconstructed gate and watchtower, or go to the base of the mountain and follow the switchbacks straight up the face of the mountain.After walking back down, I’m pretty sure it was worth the cost of the cab ride (1700 yen) to take the road to the parking lot by the gate and tower.
<p>
From the reconstructed gate and watchtower, it’s a pretty easy trail that crosses several baileys and trenches until you get to the central kuruwa. The central kuruwa has a well defined entrance and a nice section of stone walls. The view from the edge across the valley and on to the snow capped mountains is incredible. The site is well maintained and signposted. If you don’t have to walk up it’s an easy visit.
At the base of the castle was also a well developed post town of the Zenkoji Highway. Unfortunately, there are no well maintained buildings left to see.
</p> +
The Aoyagi-yakata was the fortified manor house of the Aoyagi Clan, and, later, the kyokan (residential area) attached to the mountaintop castle of Aoyagijō. Yakata / kyokan / yashiki, residential compounds where the clan leader lived, can often be found at the foot of mountains. The actual fortification atop of the mountain was not usually lived in, but used in times of conflict (in a Sengoku Period context the 'bukeyashiki' may refer to this kyokan arrangement). The Aoyagii-yakata at the foot of the Aoyagijō castle mount is now the site of a temple, but this in turn has also been abandoned and is now in a state of dilapidation. The temple, sitting on terraced slopes, contains a main hall with a thatched roof, now covered up with sheet metal to forestall its inevitable decay, a shōrōmon (gate with belfry), and some auxillary structures which I took to be the former priest's quarters, a store house and outhouse, all very traditional but now regrettably falling to pieces. Behind the temple is a graveyard which includes interestingly shaped markers bearing family crests and names, which I assumed to be related to the historical persons of the locale, including the Aoyagi Clan. Whilst the terraced terrain may date to the yakata, the stone walls seen would've been piled for the temple.
Also shown here is the village on the site of Aoyagi-juku. The village beneath the castle, Aoyagi-juku, served as a post town on a subroute coming off the Nakasendō highway (from Seba-juku) heading toward Zenkōji, an important pilgrimage site in modern day Nagano City. This shukuba (post station town) continued into the Edo period even after the castle was long abandoned. No original structures survive today, but many homes retain traditional architectural features and are rebuilt along the same plots of the former inns and shops of the village, and are marked as such by little tags near their doorways. The large dwelling with the elaborate gate and roof is a home reconstructed on the site of Aoyagi-juku's former Honjin (main inn, reserved for bushi). Furthermore, since the village is located on a slope which inclines up toward the castle, the plots are terraced with ishigaki which have an irrigation ditch which carries water down the slope built into them. In order to facilitate access to Aoyagijō and Aoyagi-juku from the direction of Zenkōji, the lord of Aoyagijō, Aoyagi Yorinaga, in 1573 ordered a cutting made into the ridge between two small mountains.
The trailhead for this castle is not easy to find. Please look at the map of photos and find the photo of my bicycle. This is the sign in front of the trailhead. It's on a very small road that arcs from the main road. The north entry point of this road is a very small path that doesn't even look like a road. It's probably easier to go to the southern end of this arc and find your way up the small hill to this sign and the beginning of the trail. At first you'll need to follow the signs for Sengenyama (仙元山) until the trail splits and you see an obvious sign that points to the castle (right) and the mountaintop (left). Using the same directions (without photos) I was unsure of myself on the trail and almost doubled back at one point. Just follow the main trail until you see the sign for the castle. <p>From the mountaintop I discovered there is also a trail leading off to Ogura Castle. It would be fun to follow the mountain top over to Ogura Castle sometime too.</p> +
Aoyamajō is located to the south of Katsuyamajō and to the southwest of the [[Katsuyama Palace|Katsuyama-goten]], and no doubt commanded excellent views in its day (now there are many trees). A path leads from both the goten and Katsuyamajō. I was surprised to see how much ishigaki remains here, but I ran out of daylight trying to find each segment, and my camera battery also ran dead (luckily, even though it was getting on, there is an old road (no longer open to vehicular traffic) which winds its way up the mountain here to an old broadcasting station, and I took this down without hazard). Aoyamajō is an interesting site and the layout is broadly described as concentric. +
