Kikkawa Motoharu Yakata
Kikkawa-Motoharu-yakata is a yakata (fortified manor hall) ruin in Kitahiroshima Township, Yamagata County. This is a special yakata site because of the large stone blocks used in the ramparts which were quarried on-site, and also because some simple buidlings, kitchen structures, have been reconstr
History
After the Battle of Bitchū-Takamatsujō (1582) Kikkawa Motoharu, a commander in the Mōri army, ascended to head of the Kikkawa Clan. Kikkawa-Motoharu-yakata was built as his retirement villa in 1583. Motoharu had begun living at the residence but he died in 1586 before the entire complex was completed. Kikkawa Motoharu was succeeded by Kikkawa Motonaga but he died in 1587. The third lord of the manor was Motonaga's brother, Kikkawa Hiroie. In 1591 Hiroie relocated to Gassan-Todajō and thereafter the yakata gradually fell into decay and ruin. Kikkawa-Motoharu-yakata last appears in the historical record in an early Edo period survey where it is listed as a castle ruin.
The yakata ruin was designated as a national historic site in 1986. Archaelogical investigtions were carried out throughout the 1990s. In 2002 it was also listed as a national scenic site. In 2006 maintenance was carried out on the stone walls and two kitchen structures were reconstructed based on archaelogical findings.
Field Notes
Kikkawa-Motoharu-yakata is a yakata (fortified manor hall) ruin in Kitahiroshima Township, Yamagata County. This is a special yakata site because of the large stone blocks used in the ramparts which were quarried on-site, and also because some simple buidlings, kitchen structures, have been reconstructed. I had not ancitipated such impressive stonework at so provincial a site, so I was very pleased with it.
This entire area is dotted with related castle and yakata sites, including Ogurayamajō and Surugamarujō. It would be nice for me to return one day and explore the whole area more thoroughly, though the locale is fairly isolated and not easy to get to.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Kikkawa Motoharu Yakata |
| Japanese Name | 吉川元春館 |
| Founder | Kikkawa Motoharu |
| Year Founded | 1583 |
| Castle Type | Fortified Manor |
| Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
| Designations | National Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Ishigaki, Hori, Ishikiriba, Kuruwa, Reconstructed Buildings, Garden, Dorui |
| Features | trenches, stone walls |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Nearest Station is Yoshidaguchi Station on the Geibi Line; 50 minute drive |
| Hours | 24/7 free |
| Time Required | 60 minutes |
| Location | Kita-Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.71706, 132.46639 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2020 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
