Ruins of Tsuwano Castle

Ruins of Tsuwano Castle

The ruins of Tsuwano Castle are located on the top of Mt. Reiki to the south-west from downtown Tsuwano.

The castle has a long history and was built in 1295 by YOSHIMI Yoriyuki (1250-1309?) . The YOSHIMI Clan was the retainer of OUCHI Clan, who's dominant territory was Yamaguchi City. After the fall of the OUCHI Clan, YOSHIMI Clan served for MORI Clan. After the "Sekigahara-Battle" in 1600, the territories of the MORI Clan were reduced to the area of present-day Yamaguch Prefecture. The YOSHIMI Clan moved to Hagi, where was the new dominant territory of the MORI Clan.

SAKAZAKI Naomori (1563-1616) became the castle lord of Tsuwano Castle, after the "Sekigahara-Battle". He rebuilt Tsuwano Castle as a modern castle.

Please refer the page of "Sekigahara Battlefield" for the information of the "Sekigahara-Battle":
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/Sekigahara_E.html

KAMEI Masanori (1590-1619) became the castle lord of Tsuwano Castle after the death of SAKAZAKI Naomori in 1617. The generations of the KAMEI Clan were the castle lords of Tsuwano Castle and feudal lords of the Tsuwano Domain until the end of the Edo Age (1603-1868) .

At the foot of Mt. Reiki, the site of the palace of Tsuwano Feudal Domain is located.

The palace was used also as the feudal government office of Tsuwano and residences of feudal lords. At the site of the palace, two original buildings remain. The below left picture shows Babasaki Turret and below left shows Monomi Turret. These two turrets were rebuilt in 1856 after the original turrets were damaged by fire happened in 1854.

From the foot of Mt. Reiki, a lift is available to the main castle area located on the top of Mt. Reiki.

From the lift station on Mt. Reiki, a mountain trail continues to the main castle area. On the way, you will see the stone walls at Oribe Bailey, which is located to the east of the main castle area.

The Bailey was built after SAKAZAKI Masanori became the castle lord of Tsuwano Castle. SAKAZAKI Naomori ordered to build the bailey to UKITA Oribe, who was a younger brother of SAKAZAKI Naomori and also a retainer of him. The bailey was named after Ukita Oribe.

After a couple of minutes of walk from Oribe Bailey, you will arrive at the site of the East Gate. This gate was the main entrance for the Tsuwano Castle.

Behind the East Gate, you will walk up stone stairs to the main bailey. You will see the stone walls surrounding the second bailey.

After walk-up stairs, you will see the site of the "Daidokoro" Bailey on your left. "Daidokoro" bailey extends towards the north.

In the middle of the main castle area, the foundation of the main castle tower is located. In most castles, the main castle tower is located in the main bailey and at the highest place of the castle. But, Tsuwano Castle is an exception. The foundation of the main castle tower of Tsuwano Castle is located in the second baily.

If you walk to the right from the foundation of the main castle tower, you will visit the third bailey. The third bailey extends to the south. Long and wide open ground is located on the third bailey.

You will see the stone walls surrounding "Sanjyukken" Bailey on the left. Also, you will see Mt. Aono, which is a conical mountain in the middle.

At the south end of the third bailey, the site of the South Gate is located. Now, only stone walls of the gate remain. There used to be a turret at the gate in the Edo Age.

After you walk back to the foundation of the main castle tower, you will walk on a slope to the left to "Sanjyukken" Bailey. "Sanjyukken" Bailey is located at the highest bailey in Tsuwano Castle.

"Sanjyukken" Bailey is the largest bailey in Tsuwano Castle. Wide glass field extends in "Sanjyukken" Bailey.

You will look down on Tsuwano downtown from "Sanjyukken" Bailey. This view is very spectacular and also very lovely. The view became a theme of a Japanese popular song "Kakashi" by SADA Masashi (1957-) .

Please refer the page of "Historical Sites in Tsuwano":
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chugoku/Iwakuni_E.html

From the south end of "Sanjyukken" Bailey, you will look down on the third bailey.
This view looks like remains of antiquity.

When I went back to the foot of Mt. Reiki, it was just the time of sunset to the ruins of Tsuwano Castle on the top of the mountain.

This scenery was also impressive.