Ukigai Castle
Ukigaijō is a hirayamajiro (hilltop castle) ruin in Ukigai Township, Miyoshi Municipality. Ruins in remain in the form of earthworks, including dorui (earthen ramparts), karabori (dry moats), kuruwa (baileys) and even a yaguradai (platform for a tower). The main bailey of this municipal designated h
History
Ukigaijō is said to have been built in the Muromachi period by Kasutani Munenori. By 1550, however, Harada Ujishige is recorded as the lord of Ukigai. The Harada Clan's hold of the castle was ended in 1555 when Sakai Tadatsugu took over as castellan; Tadatsugu had been dispatched by the Imagawa Clan to push into Oda territory following the death of Oda Nobuhide. In 1556, Shibata Katsuie lead Oda-alligned forces in attacking the castle, but was repulsed by defenders under Sakai Tadatsugu, Harada Ujishige, and Ôkubo Tadakatsu. Following the death of Imagawa Yoshimoto in the battle of Okehazama, Matsudaira forces re-alligned with Oda Nobunaga, and Ukigaijō was abandoned in 1562.
Field Notes
Ukigaijō is a hirayamajiro (hilltop castle) ruin in Ukigai Township, Miyoshi Municipality. Ruins in remain in the form of earthworks, including dorui (earthen ramparts), karabori (dry moats), kuruwa (baileys) and even a yaguradai (platform for a tower). The main bailey of this municipal designated historic site is now a well groomed park. There is a signboard next to the path up into the bailey and dorui to the rear. The remains of a moat can be found to the left as one enters the bailey.
I tried to identify every feature of this castle as shown on the map on the explanatory board. Although the main bailey is kept clear, other parts of this site are overgrown. To the northeast there is a moat site with berms, and to the south is the castle's second bailey. Building foundations were unearthed in the second bailey, but they are no longer visible. The second bailey appears to be an abandoned temple and homestead. There is a shrine and cenotaphs atop of the dorui to the rear of the second bailey. The yaguradai is on the same abandoned property, now shaded in a bamboo grove.
I'm glad I took my time to cover every part of this site. Many castle bloggers have seemingly only visited the main bailey.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Ukigai Castle |
| Japanese Name | 福谷城 |
| Founder | Kasutani Munenori |
| Year Founded | Muromachi Period |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Designations | Local Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui, kuruwa, yaguradai, &c. |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Kurozasa Station on the Meitetsu-Toyota Line; 25 min walk |
| Hours | 24/7 free; park |
| Time Required | 45 mins |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Miyoshi, Aichi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35.11333, 137.10031 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Yogo | |
| Shiseki Yawa | |
