Isawa Castle

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01Isawa.JPG

History

Isawa Castle was built in 802 by Sakanōe Tamuramaro after his series of victories against the Emishi tribesmen the previous year. The Chinjufu-shōgun, under the command of the Seiitai-shōgun, was relocated from Tagajō to Isawajō following the expansion northward of the Yamato state. The Emishi were eventually subjugated or migrated to Ezo (Hokkaidō). Isawa no Ki remained the seat of the Chinjufu-shōgun until 1083 when Minamoto Yoshiie became governor of Mutsu Province.


Visit Notes

Isawa Castle was a classical era Jōsaku style fort. These earlier types of fortification consisted of wooden palings, moats and pounded earth walls with archer platforms and imposing gates, resembling walled administrative centers or palaces in their layout. Isawa Castle is rendered Isawa no Ki in contemporary Japanese but is now also called Isawajō (same kanji). I also call it Isawa no Saku. Nothing remains today except some mounds of earth, and the site is mostly fields and rice paddies. There is also a shrine on the former castle grounds, Chinjufu-Hachimangū, which venerates the historical figures connected with the construction of the castle. I found some description boards and stone markers. There are some earthwork remains here but I did a bad job photographing them. The land is mostly fields now.


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Castle Profile
English Name Isawa Castle
Japanese Name 胆沢城
Alternate Names Isawa no Saku
Founder Sakanōe Tamuramaro
Year Founded 802
Castle Type Flatland
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations National Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access Kanegasaki Station on the Tohoku Main Line; 45 minute walk
Visitor Information Free, 24/7
Time Required 45 minutes
Location Oushuu, Iwate Prefecture
Coordinates 39° 10' 45.73" N, 141° 8' 7.51" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2018
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


1.00
(2 votes)
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ARTShogun

20 months ago
Score 0++
It seems there's a large amount of restored dorui here. Would like to go back but it's a wee bit out the way ^^"
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Anonymous user #1

20 months ago
Score 0 You
It seems there's a large amount of restored dorui here. Would like to go back but it's a wee bit out the way ^^"