Ikoma
Takamatsu Castle
高松城
| Alternate Name | Tamamo-jo |
| Founder | Ikoma Chikamasa |
| Year | 1588 |
| Type | Flatland |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Rating | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ |
| Historical Site | National Historic Site |
| Historical Value | Top 100 Castles, Important Cultural Properties |
| Historical Artifacts |
Important Cultural Properties: Kitanomaru Tsukimi Yagura, Kitanomaru Watariyagura, Former Higashinomaru Ushitora Yagura, Kitanomaru Mizute Gomon |
| Location | Takamatsu, Kagawa Pref. |
| Map | Google Map |
| Access | Takamatsu Sta. (Yosan Line); 10 min walk |
| Website | Takamatsu City |
| Notes | not personally visited |
| History |
Ikoma Chikamasa was stationed in Takamatsu by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587. He started building the castle in 1588 and it was completed in 1590. Four generations of Ikoma ruled Takamatsu until the 11 year old Takatoshi was re-stationed to the remote Dewa Province in Northeastern Japan in 1639 with greatly reduced lands. This was a punishment for conflicts caused by the Ikoma clan and their retainers. Tokugawa Ieyasu's grandson, Matsudaira Yorishige, replaced Ikoma in Takamatsu. The Matsudaira family continued to rule until the Meiji Period. In the Edo Period, Takamatsu Castle had a 3 level, 5 story donjon and about 20 yagura. It is uniquely constructed on the waterfront where it draws water from the ocean for it's moats. It is considered one of the 3 great water or waterfront castles. The castle was decomissioned in 1869 and the donjon torn down in 1884. There is a strong movement in Takamatsu to rebuild the castle donjon as it was, but they are facing difficulties due to a lack of quality pictures and information about its original structure. Still, the city is proceeding with plans to begin construction in 2010. |
Viewer Comments
(5) | Post Commentgreat. thanks for that news !
May 19, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Well, I have good news every-body. The tenshu reconstruction is underway! If you go to www.shikoku-np.co.jp/feature/takamatsu_castle/, you can see pictures of the base being disassembled to prepare it for the reconstruction.
May 19, 2008 at 12:21 PM
This castle has few original buildings, so I hope that the plans for reconstructing the Tenshu come true. But, it is interesting to vist this Shiro as it is only one of three that had saltwater moats.
March 16, 2008 at 06:36 PM
this site really help me with project
February 06, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Isn't it wonderful If u r doing a history project u should do it on this
January 30, 2008 at 06:04 PM