Ishimakiyama Castle
Ishimakiyamajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Ishimaki Township, Toyohashi Municipality. Ruins include some remnant earthworks like ridgeline terracing, baileys and earthen bulwarks. The fortifications ruins are split into two parts, the upper and lower castle. The lower castle is a seri
History
Although not certain, it is thought that Ishimakiyamajō was constructed by Takai Shuzennokami in the Nanbokuchō period (1336-1392), probably around 1339. The Nanbokuchō (Southern and Northern Courts) period in the 14th century was one of conflict and civil war. Just as the Sengoku period in the 16th century heralded a great spate in fortification construction, so too did the earlier Nanbokuchō, though to a much less technical degree, as the fort builders relied much more extensively on natural terrain. Thus Nanbokuchō period yamajiro structures are usually defined by simple terracing of the ridge and mountaintop, and Ishimakiyamajō is not an exception in that regard. In 1344, Ishimakiyamajō fell to Ashikaga forces, and Lord Takai fell on his sword in the fort. After ordering his followers and family to evacuate, the castellan is said to have uttered his pithy last words 'Mo haya, kore made ("Well then, it's over")', and ended it.
Field Notes
Ishimakiyamajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Ishimaki Township, Toyohashi Municipality. Ruins include some remnant earthworks like ridgeline terracing, baileys and earthen bulwarks. The fortifications ruins are split into two parts, the upper and lower castle. The lower castle is a series of three terraced baileys along the ridge. Thereafter the ridge climbs and there are various exciting rock features and caves, including the 'snake hole', which I noticed had a cooling breeze issuing from its mouth, as though some small nook or recess was linked to and ventilated by a hidden apperture.
The upper castle contains the main bailey and a terrace below that. To the immediate rear of the main bailey is the peak of Mount Ishimaki, surmounted by a crown of its eponymous pinnacle rocks ('Ishimaki' implies that one must go spiralling around the rocks as they are too big to climb head-on). The path to the top of these huge rocks is made up of cuttings and stairs; it is thrilling, but short and not too challenging. The pinnacles themselves protrude above the surrounding treeline, granting fantastic views. Below I saw bluish-purple wisteria trees sprawling over the forest canopy. I lunched here, despite the dizzying heights and steep drops, and was quite at ease in the pleasantly warm weather with slight breeze.
To reach Ishimakiyamajō, which has little ruins but a marvellous setting, I took a bus from Toyohashi Station. All buses along the Wadatsuji route stop at Ishimaki-Tozanguchi, and it's a fifteen minute walk to the trailhead from there. The trail is surprisingly gentle in the first portion which starts at the valley floor and climbs to a ridgetop shrine, Ishimaki-jinja, and inn - presumably for hikers. From there it is a short but exhilarating dash up the rocky ridge to the peak. I had intended to keep on going down the other side until I reached the opposite valley where sits Suse Township, and visit two more fort ruins there, but all of the routes I had thought I could take never materialised. I decided I'd take a bus to Suse another day.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Ishimakiyama Castle |
| Japanese Name | 石巻山城 |
| Founder | Takai Shuzennokami |
| Year Founded | c.1339 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Toyohashi Station; Wadatsuji Line bus to Ishimaki-Tozanguchi; 15 min walk to trailhead. |
| Hours | 24/7 free; mountain |
| Time Required | 60 mins |
| Location | Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.78914, 137.45895 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Umoreta Kojō | |
| Shiseki Yawa | |
| Jōseki Meguri Bibōroku | |
| Yogo | |
