Amagata Castle
Amagatajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Mori Township, Shūchi County. Ruins consist of earthworks such as karabori (dry moats), dorui (earthen ramparts), and dobashi (earthen bridges). A sort of observation deck has been built somewhat in the style of a watchtower. The layout of Amagata
History
Amagatajō was first built by Shutō Michizane in the late 14th century, though, according to more recent research, at a different site, Amagatahonjō (Amagatajō is also called 'Amagatashinjō' or just 'Shinjō ("New Castle")' to distinguish the two sites). The history of these sites and others is conflated. The Amagata Clan was founded by the second lord of the castle, Michihide, in 1401. In 1496, Amagata Michisue placed the clan under the vassalage of Imagawa Ujichika following his invasion of Tôtōmi from Suruga. Tôtōmi Province governor, Shiba Yoshisuke, conquered Amagatajō in 1501 with the aid of the Ogasawara Clan from Shinano Province. The Imagawa would later recapture the castle from 1508.
In 1568, Tokugawa Ieyasu (from Mikawa) and Takeda Shingen (from Kai) contested the provinces of Suruga and Tôtōmi. Amagatajō was likely rebuilt at this time (abandoning Amagatahonjō) by Amagata Michioki who sided against Tokugawa Ieyasu. So, in 1569, Amagatajō was attacked and conquered by forces led by Sakakibara Yasumasa, Amano Yasukage, and Ôkubo Tadachika. It seems by 1570 Amagata Michioki was back in his castle again and defying Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In 1572, Takeda forces, at the behest of Amano Kagetsura, attacked Amagatajō. Amagata Michioki, who had remained as castellan, surrendered (and much quicker than he did to Tokugawa Ieyasu). This prompt surrender actually was a misplay by Michioki, as the Takeda considered him flighty, and replaced him with Kuno Tadamune (though he may have remained as co-castellan). In 1573, Tokugawa Ieyasu sent Hiraiwa Chikayoshi to attack Amagatajō. Kuno Tadamune defended the castle but eventually surrendered. In 1574, Ieyasu pushed further into Takeda lands, but was ambushed by Takeda forces moving between Kōmyōjō and Amagatajō. Thereafter, Amagatajō was likely controlled by the Takeda Clan until their destruction in 1582, and then abandoned.
Field Notes
Amagatajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Mori Township, Shūchi County. Ruins consist of earthworks such as karabori (dry moats), dorui (earthen ramparts), and dobashi (earthen bridges). A sort of observation deck has been built somewhat in the style of a watchtower. The layout of Amagatajō is square, with an inner bailey surrounded on two sides by an outer bailey. Karabori and dorui protect each bailey. The site is maintained as a park.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Amagata Castle |
| Japanese Name | 天方城 |
| Alternate Names | Amagatashinjō / Shinjō |
| Founder | Amagata Michioki |
| Year Founded | 1568 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Designations | Local Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui, dobashi, karabori, &c. |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Nearest station is Towata Sation on the Tenryū-Hamanako Railway |
| Hours | 24/7 free; mountain |
| Time Required | 50 mins |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Mori, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.84768, 137.9496 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Jōkaku Shashin Kiroku | |
| Yogo | |
