Saimyoji Castle

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Saimyoji1.jpg

History

Originally called Takadateyamajō, the castle was the base of the Mashiko clan, originally called the Ki clan. The Mashiko went to war with the Utsunomiya clan during the Sengoku Period and were defeated, whereupon their mountaintop castle was abandoned.


Visit Notes

I came to this site because I was visiting Saimyōji and happen to see it marked on my map. I climbed the mountain behind the temple and found only a single board (in Japanese only) about the castle, from which I gleaned its history. There are no sign posts indicating where the castle is and no markers indicating castle features at the site itself. Walking around I found the “shiroato hiroba” which I took for the honmaru. The honmaru atop the hill has a ring of deformed dorui (earthen embankments) surrounding it. There is at least one sub-bailey between the honmaru and the largest visibly remaining gate ruin. At the base of the hill is a trench, looks like a horikiri. Unfortunately it was a futile effort trying to photograph these details because young bamboo blanketed everything. Crossing the horikiri to climb to the main bailey we passed through a bamboo thicket. Luckily the honmaru is cleared except for a few trees and boulders. Only see this site if you visit Saimyōji. There is actually some old looking ishigaki beneath the pagoda (1536) at the temple.

Profile and photos contributed by ART




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Castle Profile
English Name Saimyoji Castle
Japanese Name 西明寺城
Alternate Names Takadateyama-jo
Founder Mashiko Clan
Year Founded 1058-1065
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Local Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Mashiko Station on the Moka Line; Taxi (I went by personal transportation)
Visitor Information 24/7 free
Time Required 35 mins
Location Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 27' 15.80" N, 140° 7' 13.91" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2017
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


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