Aiki Castle (Minochi)

The earthly remains of Aikijō / Ainokijō consist of lonely clump of piled earth in the corner of a girls' school. Probably this was part of a segment of dorui (earth-piled ramparts). There is a small shrine and a marker for the castle on top. I came here because I had some time to kill in Nagano Cit

History

Aiki Castle was built by the Aiki Clan; it was the castle of Aiki Ichibē Masatomo, also known as Aiki Masāki, who was originally a vassal of the Ôi Clan of Saku. Takeda Shingen ordered Aiki to build the castle for use during the Kawanakajima Campaign. Aiki Village was split between north and south in the Sengoku Period and Aikijō was built in the north (Aiki presumably took his name from this area). Aiki fought for Takeda Shingen in the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima in 1561. Aiki Masāki died at the castle in 1567, leaving two successors, Yorifusa and Nobufusa. Nobufusa died at the Siege of Takatenjinjō in 1581.

Field Notes

The earthly remains of Aikijō / Ainokijō consist of lonely clump of piled earth in the corner of a girls' school. Probably this was part of a segment of dorui (earth-piled ramparts). There is a small shrine and a marker for the castle on top. I came here because I had some time to kill in Nagano City.

• Note on reading: if "Ainoki" then the "no" is unwritten or rendered ノ, the possessive particle.

Gallery

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Castle Profile
English Name	Aiki Castle (Minochi)
Japanese Name	相木城
Alternate Names	Ainokijō
Founder	Aiki Masāki
Year Founded	Sengoku Period
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Dorui
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Hongou Station on the Nagano Line; 5 minute walk
Hours	24/7 free; shrine
Time Required	5 minutes
Location	Nagano, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36.66515, 138.20489
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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