Shizuhatayama Castle
Shizuhatayamajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Aoi Ward, Shizuoka Municipality. Shizuhatayamajō features dorui (earthen ramparts), horikiri (ridgeline trenches), kuruwa (baileys) and such like earthworks. It has a narrow profile, following the ridge, with some spurs. The fort's three int
History
It is thought that Shizuhatayamajō was first built either by Imagawa Norikuni in the 1330s for use during the courtly wars in opposing the Abe Clan to the west, or by Imagawa Norimasa following his entry into Suruga in 1411. In 1568, the fort was seized by Takeda Shingen during his invasion of Suruga, and it is believed to have been a Takeda-held fort until the destruction of the clan in 1582. The exact site of Takeda Shingen's encampment is debated, but it probably was at the foot of the mountain on the west side rather than on the mountaintop. Regardless, certain features of the fort, such as the large forward trench, suggest that it was renovated by Takeda forces at some point.
Field Notes
Shizuhatayamajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Aoi Ward, Shizuoka Municipality. Shizuhatayamajō features dorui (earthen ramparts), horikiri (ridgeline trenches), kuruwa (baileys) and such like earthworks. It has a narrow profile, following the ridge, with some spurs. The fort's three integral baileys are at least partially surrounded by dorui, with the second bailey having its bulwark formed from the ridge. There is a large horikiri at the front of the fort, and so it's easy to recognise when one has reached the castle ruins.
Shizuhatayamajō may be considered the medieval antecedent of the proto-modern Sunpujō on the plain below. Shizuhata is thought to have given its name to Shizuoka, but the kanji for 'shizu' was changed from 賤 ('sleazy') to 静 ('tranquil'), the latter being much more auspicious (when the modern city was founded in 1889, other name proposals included 'Shizu(静)' and 'Shizuki(静城)'; the original settlements had consisted of the jōkamachi (castle-town) of Sunpu (駿府) and the shukuba (inn town) of Fuchū (府中)).
The trail up Mount Shizuhata starts at the Sengen shrine at the foot of the mountain. The trail is maintained with park-like features and so is pleasant to walk. It doesn't become a serious mountain trail until the castle ruins.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Shizuhatayama Castle |
| Japanese Name | 賤機山城 |
| Founder | Imagawa Norikuni; Imagawa Norimasa |
| Year Founded | 1330s; 1411 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui, Kuruwa, Horikiri, &c. |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Shin-Shizuoka Station on the Shizuoka-Shimizu Line; 20 min walk to trailhead; 40 min hike. |
| Hours | 24/7 free; mountain |
| Time Required | 60 mins |
| Location | Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.99496, 138.37487 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Shiseki no Yawa | |
| Yogo | |
