Sarubami Castle
Sarubamijō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Sakahogi Township, Kamo County (Gifu Prefecture). Ruins consist of single bailey complex with two terraced baileys beneath the small main bailey, and a trench to the rear. The climb is steep but it doesn't take too long. The trail is well maintai
History
Sarubamijō was built by Nishimura Yoshimasa by 1407. It is said that in 1441, Tajimi "Nobumasa" Yoriyoshi (多治見修理頼吉) looted Sarubamijō whilst Lord Yoshimasa was away attending his grandmother's funerary service (if Yoshimasa was twenty or younger when he built the castle, and his grandmother was fifty to sixty at that time, she would've been in her eighties or nineties when she died, which is possible if the dates line up, but it makes one think the story might not be accurate). By 1530, Tahara Yoriyoshi, an underling of the Toki Clan, controlled the fort. In 1547 the Tajimi Clan rebelled against the Toki Clan and seized the fort.
Sarubamijō was captured by the Kawajiri Clan under Oda Nobunaga in 1565 during his invasion of Mino. Nobunaga placed Kawajiri Shigeyoshi (Kawajiri Hidetaka?) in charge of the castle and is said to have renamed it Katsuyama, meaning 'victory mount' (the locale is still called Katsuyama, but Katsuyama Mountain is the peak on the opposite ridge from the fort site). The fort was also known as Neoyamajō (根尾山城). In 1575, the Kawajiri Clan relocated to Iwakurajō, and Sarubamijō was abandoned.
This site's busy history belies the fact that it is only a very small fort. Did these sieges and raids happen here or elsehwere; did they even take place? One wonders about this secretive site.
The faux-reconstructed watchtower which serves as an observation platform was erected in 1997.
Field Notes
Sarubamijō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Sakahogi Township, Kamo County (Gifu Prefecture). Ruins consist of single bailey complex with two terraced baileys beneath the small main bailey, and a trench to the rear. The climb is steep but it doesn't take too long. The trail is well maintained as a popular hiking trail, and I saw many people when I visited. This may have something to do with the mogi miyagura (faux-reconstructed watchtower) built at the top of the castle-mount.
The views from the mogi miyagura are excellent. The tallest snow-capped mountains visible are in Nagano, ranging from Mount Kenǵamine and the Kiso Mountains to the Southern "Japanese Alps". Mount Hakusan to the west is also apparent. Nearer by, the township of Sakahogi is spread below. A school in the middle of a hilly forest can be seen and it looked scary and outré to me surrounded by trees, but it's just the town's middle school. To the southwest neighbouring Kakamiǵahara Municipality can be seen. In the distance the skyline of downtown Nagoya is visible. Indeed, the view is commanding.
After climbing up to the tower I stayed for a while enjoying the warm sun, the view, and a large amanatsu I had brought. As I ate I amassed a pile of peelings from the astringent fruit and wondered if I was the monkey of Sarubamijō, picking at my citrus. Unfortunately in my rapture I forgot to check the rear of the main bailey for any trenches. Not many sources mention it, but according to Jōkaku Hōrōki there is a trench system spanned by a dobashi (earthen bridge). I did remember half way back down the mountain, and took a side path wondering if it would swing around and up, but it just took me further away, and by then time was getting on. Ah, well.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Sarubami Castle |
| Japanese Name | 猿啄城 |
| Founder | Nishimura Yoshimasa |
| Year Founded | 1407 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
| Designations | Local Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Miyagura (reconstructed) |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Sakahogi Station on the Takayama Line; 15 min walk to trail; hike 30-40 min. |
| Hours | 24/7 free; mountain |
| Time Required | 60 minutes |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Sakahogi, Gifu Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35.42463, 136.96246 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Yogo | |
