Yawatamura Castle (Mikawa)
Yawatamurajō is a hirajiro (flatland castle) site in Yawata Township, Toyokawa Municipality. Of the actual fort it seems no ruins remain, and the site has been wholly developed over with housing. However, the site partially overlaps with that of the Mikawa-Kokubunji (Head Temple of Mikawa Province)
History
In 1560, the Imagawa Yoshimoto lost the battle of Okehazama and was killed. In order to tarry the advance of the Matsudaira, Yawatamurajō was built as a border fort. The fort was square-shaped with a perimeter of about 90m on each side. The singular bailey was protected by earthen ramparts and moats. The entrance to the bailey was in the eastern wall where there was an angled gate complex.
The castellan was Itakura Shigesada (with garrison commanders drawn from the Yamamoto and Inagaki clans). In 1562, Sakai Tadatsugu attacked Yawatamura with over a thousand men. Local clans such as the Miura (of Sawaki-toride), Makino (of Ushikubojō) and Toda (of Nirengijō) helped to defend the fort along with the Itakura, but they were defeated and Yawata-toride was destroyed.
Field Notes
Yawatamurajō is a hirajiro (flatland castle) site in Yawata Township, Toyokawa Municipality. Of the actual fort it seems no ruins remain, and the site has been wholly developed over with housing. However, the site partially overlaps with that of the Mikawa-Kokubunji (Head Temple of Mikawa Province) to the east and southeast, and the Hachimangū to the south.
I was actually most enthused to visit the related but distinct sites of two more visible historical sites: firstly the Mikawa-Kokubunniji, which is the nunnery which was attached to the main provincial temple; secondly, a kofun (ancient burial mound) known as Funayama ('Boat Mount'). The Kokubunniji (nunnery) has been heavily attended to, and even has the front gate and adjoining cloisters restored. Other parts of the complex are mapped out with footprint-style maquettes.
Initially the actual site of Yawatamurajō ('Yawata Village Castle'), also called Yawata-toride, was unknown, though it was presumed to be either near or on the site of the Kokubunji or Kokubunniji. However, the construction of housing to the northwest of the main temple complex unearthed the remains of wells, building foundations, moats and earthen ramparts, identifying the site of the castle. Unfortunately, there is nothing to see of the castle today. About twenty years ago some worthy castle-bloggers went down to see the excavations and took some photographs before the bulldozers moved in. Our undying gratitude goes to the blogs 'Umoretakojō ("Buried Old Castles")' and 'Jōshi Meguri Bibōroku ("Memoranda of Touring Castle Ruins")' (see links in 'Friends' section).
Since there is nothing to see of the fort today, these photos show the temple sites and kofun. There are traces of earthen mounds at the Kokubunji site, in its northeast, opposite the Toyokawa-Hachimangū, but it's not clear to me what their relation is to any fortifications - if any. Apparently there used to be a pagoda in this part of the temple grounds. I tried to photograph these.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Yawatamura Castle (Mikawa) |
| Japanese Name | 三河八幡村城 |
| Alternate Names | Yawatamura-toride (八幡砦) |
| Founder | Itakura Shigesada |
| Year Founded | 1560 |
| Castle Type | Flatland |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Kō Station on the Meitetsu-Nagoya Line; 20 minute walk |
| Hours | 24/7 free; fields |
| Time Required | 10 mins |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Toyokawa, Aichi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.83885, 137.34061 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Umoreta Kojō | |
| Jōshi Meguri Bibōroku | |
| Shiseki Yawa | |
| Jōshi Tanbōki | |
| Shiro to Rekishi Aruki wo Tanoshimu | |
