- What kind of castle is “Matsushiro Castle”? About 300 years under the Takeda and Sanada clans
- Matsushiro Castle, a front-line base for the Uesugi clan
- Matsushiro Castle” and “Seal of the Castle
- Access to Matsushiro Castle
- Parking around Matsushiro Castle
- Matsushiro Castle Official Website
- Recommended around Matsushiro Castle
What kind of castle is “Matsushiro Castle”? About 300 years under the Takeda and Sanada clans
Matsushiro Castle” was a contour-style castle located in Matsushiro-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. The castle was built around the main citadel, which was surrounded by the Ninomaru and San-no-Maru structures.
The date of construction of the castle is not known for certain, but it is said to have been built around 1559 by Kansuke Yamamoto, a vassal of the Takeda clan, on the order of his lord Shingen Takeda. The name of the castle at the time of its construction was “Kaizu Castle.
After the fall of the Takeda clan in March 1582 and the Honnoji Incident in June 1582, the Uesugi clan ruled the area until 1598, when it was transferred to Aizu.
In the Edo period, the Matsushiro clan (Kawanakajima clan until around 1616) was established and the Mori, Nagasawa Matsudaira, Echizen Matsudaira, Sakai, and Sanada clans were placed as domain lords.
The Sanada clan served as the feudal lord from 1622 to 1872, and in 1711, the name of the castle was changed to ” Matsushiro Castle” by order of the Tokugawa shogunate.
In 1847, the Zenkoji Earthquake (estimated to have had a maximum intensity of 7) occurred, destroying the enclosure walls, turrets, guardhouse, and other structures.
The castle was abandoned in 1872, but in 1964 the ruins of the castle were designated as a Prefectural Historic Site, and in 1981 a part of the castle, centering on the main citadel, was designated as a National Historic Site.
Then, in 2004, the drum gate, moat, stone walls, and earthen mounds were restored to their present appearance.
Matsushiro Castle, a front-line base for the Uesugi clan
Although “Matsushiro Castle” has served as the domain seat of the Matsushiro clan, it appeared in a major battle during the Takeda clan’s “Kaizu Castle” period.
That battle was the “Battle of Kawanakajima,” in which Shingen Takeda of Kai and Kenshin Uesugi of Echigo clashed over control of Northern Shinano.
The Battle of Kawanakajima took place five times between 1553 and 1564, the most famous being the fourth.
Just before the start of the battle, Takeda’s army was positioned at Kaizu Castle and Uesugi’s army at Saijyousan (a 400-meter-high mountain located about 2 km west of Kaizu Castle).
Saijyousan overlooks not only Kaizu Castle, but also Hachimanpara, where the battle took place, and now houses an observatory.
In the battle, Takeda’s army moved first, and in the middle of the night, a detachment of Takeda’s army marched out from Kaizu Castle to surprise attack Tsumameyama.
The Takeda forces were surprised by the surprise attack, and when the Uesugi forces dismounted, the main force led by Shingen Takeda attacked.
However, Kenshin Uesugi saw through this strategy and dismounted before the surprise attack and launched an all-out attack on Takeda’s main force, which was at Yawatawara.
Takeda’s main force managed to hold out, and after the surprise attack failed, the Uesugi forces retreated with the help of Takeda’s detachment that had come down from Tsumameyama.
As a result, the Takeda clan gained control of northern Shinano, but lost many of their vassals.
It is said that a total of 35,000 soldiers from both armies participated in the battle, and about 7,000 were killed or wounded.
Near Kaizu Castle are the graves of Takeda’s men who died in battle. Among those buried there are Shingen’s younger brothers, Takeda Nobushige and Yamamoto Kansuke.
Although you cannot see the castle as it was during the “Kaizu Castle” period, please visit the graves when you come to Matsushiro Castle.
Matsushiro Castle” and “Seal of the Castle
Like “red seals” sold at temples and shrines, “castle seals” are sold at Matsudai Castle as proof of entry to the castle.
At Matsushiro Castle, the “ojo-in” seal is also sold.
There are two colors of printed “Matsushiro Castle” and two types of “Rokubun Sen” and “Matsushiro Original Rokubun Sen,” for a total of four types to choose from.
Each piece costs 300 yen (tax included) and can be purchased at the Shinshu Matsushiro Tourist Association (weekdays) and Matsushiro Tourist Information Center (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).
Access to Matsushiro Castle
10 Matsudai-cho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, 381-1231 Japan
Parking around Matsushiro Castle
Matsushiro Castle Official Website
Official site：http://www.sanadahoumotsukan.com/facilities/facility.php?n=7