Tsumagi Castle

This site is special because both the retainers' living area and the castle are well preserved and both registered Prefectural Historical Sites. The more extensive stonework is actually at the foot of the mountain around the residential area. The site needs more signs and maps to help us enjoy the s

History

It is not known exactly when this castle was first founded, but it is estimated to have been around 1339 by the Toki clan. From the 16th century the Tsumagi clan became lords of the castle and continued to control the area for generations. At the Battle of Sekigahara, Tsumagi was the only lord in the region to side with Ieyasu. Ieyasu even wrote e letter to the Tsumagi complimenting the great castle location and design. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Tsumagi fortified the area around the base of the mountain. Since the castle at the top was too inconvenient to use for daily business it's thought that this served the primary functions of the castle. The Tsumagi continued to rule from this castle for three more generations. The last Tsumagi died suddenly without an heir so the rule of the Tsumagi clan came to an end and the castle was abandoned.

Field Notes

This site is special because both the retainers' living area and the castle are well preserved and both registered Prefectural Historical Sites. The more extensive stonework is actually at the foot of the mountain around the residential area. The site needs more signs and maps to help us enjoy the significance of the different areas. The trail was also blocked by fallen trees I had to climb over in some places.

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Gallery

Samurai residences stonework.
Stone walls of the samurai residences
Stonework of the samurai residences.
Stone walls of the samurai residences
Stone walls of the samurai residences
Stone walls of the samurai residences
Samurai residences area
Stone walls of the samurai residences
Stone walls of the samurai residences
Stone walls of the samurai residences.
Stone walls of the samurai residences
Sannomaru Bailey
An entranceway stone walls
Ninomaru Bailey
Stone wall entrance
Stone wall entrance
Support pillar stone
Honmaru Bailey
stone walls
Small bailey
Large horikiri
Horikiri
View from the Sannomaru Bailey
Map
Map

Castle Profile
English Name	Tsumagi Castle
Japanese Name	妻木城
Founder	Toki Yorisada
Year Founded	1339
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Designations	Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Tajimi Sta (Chuo Line), Tsumagi Bus (#3 boarding area), 27 min to the last stop, walk 10 mins to the trailhead
Hours	The castle site is open any time. Mainly mountain hiking trails.
Time Required	90 mins on site
URL	Castle Website
Location	Toki, Gifu Prefecture
Coordinates	35.29222, 137.19486
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2014
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2014
Admin Visits	May 2, 2014

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