Tatsuoka Castle - Relocated Structures

Kitchen Hall & Relocated Gate and Wall (Taguchi, Saku, Nagano) 　龍岡城御台所・移築門・土塀［長野県佐久市田口］ As far as extant castle buildings go, we rarely consider kitchen halls, but that is the only building now found in the star-shaped bailey of Tatsuokajō, a small bastion-style fort constructed in 1864 by Matsuda

Tatsuoka Castle - Relocated Structures

龍岡城移築建物

Kitchen Hall & Relocated Gate and Wall (Taguchi, Saku, Nagano) 　龍岡城御台所・移築門・土塀［長野県佐久市田口］

As far as extant castle buildings go, we rarely consider kitchen halls, but that is the only building now found in the star-shaped bailey of Tatsuokajō, a small bastion-style fort constructed in 1864 by Matsudaira Norikata. The castle was antiquated even upon its completion, and served more as an experimental fort than one of any practical consequence. As a result, it was abandoned in 1871 upon the abolition of feudalism.

The moats were buried after the fort's decommission but re-excavated in the 20th century, and the castle ruins have been a national historical site since 1934. The odaidokoro (kitchen hall) was the only part of the castellan's palace to be retained (though its position in the bailey was moved), and the fort became a school. The school is now closed but the schoolhouse and grounds are maintained and still used by the municipality.

I have visited this site several times, but have never found the odaidokoro open; it appears to be closed to the public. I tried to peak through the two doors I found on the structure, but the interior is very dark.

These photos focus on the odaidokoro, as well as a nearby gate and wall segment which was relocated from the fort to a residence in the village. The house with the gate and walls is private property, though I don't think the occupant whose name is on the mail box is still around.

Ôhiroma (Naruse, Saku, Nagano) 　龍岡城大広間［長野県佐久市鳴瀬］

The ôhiroma (great banquet hall) is a surviving portion of the goten (palace) from Tatsuoka Castle which was relocated to Jissōji, a temple in Naruse Township, Saku Municipality. The ôhiroma was constructed between 1864-1867, and was relocated from the castle after its decommission in 1871. After first being acquired by a local influential family (Namiki Clan?), it now serves as the main worship hall of Jissōji. I wonder if it will ever move back to the castle bailey since the school there is now closed?

Relocated Palatial Hall from Tatsuoka Castle (Saku, Nagano) 　龍岡城移築小書院［長野県佐久市］

The shōshoin (small drawing room hall) from the palatial compound of Tatsuoka Castle is still extant, albeit relocated. It is now used as a private residence of the Koike family in downtown Saku. I viewed the hall from outside, but it is not open to the public.

According to a paper put out by the municipality, investigations are recommended to take place to determine to what extent the structure has been altered and whether the building can be preserved, and, in coming years, designated as a cultural asset. It seems the city would also like to eventually restore the shōshoin at the castle site, but the timeframe for that is over the next several decades (of course, we wouldn't want to deprive someone of their home!).

In the meantime the area occupied at the castle site by the shōshoin will be marked out (that is where the running track in front of the school building starts). Hopefully an understanding with the property owners, as suggested by the paper, has been achieved, and this precious remnant of Tatsuoka Castle will not be suddenly torn down.

There's not much information on the history of the building, but given the history of Tatsuokajō is quite limited, the shōshoin probably dates to the Bakumatsu period. There is a note from a meeting (most info' comes from papers put out by the municipality) which queries what is meant by 'the building was not moved again at that time', quoting a previous statement. I suspect this may mean that before the building was relocated to the Koike Residence from the castle, it was not moved to another location beforehand. I was able to find a nice overlay map of the castle palace in one of these papers too, with extant but relocated structures underlined, so I'll reproduce that below.

Higashimon (Hara, Saku, Nagano) 　龍岡城移築東門［長野県佐久市原］

The Saku-Naritasan Yakushiji in Saku Municipality is famous for the Pinkoro-Jizō, a locally renowned deity. However, it also has a gate relocated from Tatsuoka Castle dating to the Bakumatsu period. The gate structure once served as the castle's east gate. When the castle was decommissioned in 1871, this kōraimon-style gate was auctioned off to be acquired by a local temple.

Gallery by ART.