Hazu Castle (Ise)
Split between the Shiroyama and Haźuyama neighbourhoods in urban Yokkaichi, Haźujō is a hirayamajiro (hill-and-plains castle) ruin. The remains are found on a hill which was the fort's main bailey; now it is a park. The fort presumably had other baileys on the flatland, but these are now developed o
History
Haźujō was constructed by Akahori Morimune, the eldest son of Tawara Kagenobu, in the early 15th century. Haźujō was built with three baileys, and the main bailey was built atop of a small hill. The Akahori Clan would become vassals of the Kitabatake Clan in the Sengoku period. In 1560, the castle was attacked by the Mochibuku Clan of nearby Mochibukujō.
In 1566, Oda Nobunaga had Takigawa Kazumasu advance into northern Ise, and Haźujō was surrendered to him, but the Tahara remained in place. In 1571, Tahara Chikamune, the lord of Haźujō, was lured to Mochibukujō by Yamaguchi Shirōwemon, who had become that castle's lord after its old lord, Asakura Mitsutoyo, was lured to Nagashimajō by Takigawa Kazumasu under the pretext of making peace and killed. Shirōwemon likewise wanted to make peace with Chikamune. So naturally he poisoned him to death. Haźujō, now without a castellan, was then attacked by Yamaguchi forces and fell.
It is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi took up position at Haźujō during the Komaki-Nagakute campaign in 1584.
Field Notes
Split between the Shiroyama and Haźuyama neighbourhoods in urban Yokkaichi, Haźujō is a hirayamajiro (hill-and-plains castle) ruin. The remains are found on a hill which was the fort's main bailey; now it is a park. The fort presumably had other baileys on the flatland, but these are now developed over with housing. The Kintetsu-Nagoya Line ruins through the middle of the hill, splitting the main bailey in two. Dorui (earthen ramparts) can be found on the western side (Haźuyama neighbourhood).
I was surprised at the effulgent colours of the trees in the park since it was already the end of December...
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Hazu Castle (Ise) |
| Japanese Name | 伊勢羽津城 |
| Founder | Akahori Morimune |
| Year Founded | Early 15th Century |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui, Kuruwa |
| Features | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Akuragawa Station on the Kintetsu-Nagoya Line; 5 minute walk to park |
| Hours | 24/7 free; park |
| Time Required | 10 mins |
| Location | Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.98809, 136.63192 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Shiseki no Yawa | |
| Oshiro Tabi Nikki | |
