Hinode Castle

History

Takeda Nobunaga used Hinodejō ('Rising Sun Castle'), also called Takanosujō ('Falcon's Nest Castle'), as a base for the revival of the Takeda Clan in the early 15th century, likely sometime between 1416-1433. In 1416 the Takeda had supported the Uesugi in Uesugi Zenshū's rebellion against Ashikaga Mochiuji, but they were defeated, and Takeda Nobumitsu was slain, sending the Takeda into decline, and such provincial clans as the Hemi, Anayama and Atobe contested control of Kai.

Hinodejō was guarded by the Nichi rebels, supporting Takeda Nobunaga, who fought with the Rinpō rebels, allies of the Hemi and Atobe, at the battle of Arakawahara in 1433. The Takeda side suffered a major defeat and Takeda Nobunaga had to flee to Suruga. Hinodejō was likely destroyed at this time.

Neighbourhood names remain such as Toride ('fort'), Ushiǵababa ('cow paddocks and stables') and Doi-Kanjo-yashiki ('mound court lady residence'). The site, which commands strategic natural terrain, is thought to have been later refortified by Tokugawa forces in 1582 in their war with the Hōjō for control of Kai.

Visit Notes

From my reading online it seemed most castle bloggers were saying no or scant few ruins remained of Hinodejō, and even the municipal website says that, but the guy at Jōkakuzukan blog seems to have uncovered karabori (dry moats) and dorui (earthen ramparts) as well as kuruwa (baileys), which is basically a whole castle ruin. He seems to find that which others do not, and must be strong in the Way. He does note that most of the ruins have been destroyed.

Unsure that I would be able to find anything significant or even reach the site, I contented myself with viewing the site from below, photographing the impressive line of cliffs on which the fort once sat (most pictures of this site show these cliffs). It seems the castle spread inland, forming a clifftop-style castle layout. The site today is orchards and fields, and there is an explanatory board set up to mark the site. Unfortunately the Chūō Expressway ploughs right through the centre of the castle site, and this is why most of the ruins are now lost. I may yet be too low a level to fully crack this site; I will return after I gain more experience points.

Gallery

Cliff Line

Castle Profile
English Name	Hinode Castle
Japanese Name	日ノ出城
Founder	Takeda Nobunaga
Year Founded	1416-1433
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Kuruwa, Karabori, Dorui
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Shinpu Station on the Chūō Main Line; 45 minute walk
Visitor Information	Access Limited
Time Required	20 minutes
Website	https://www.city.nirasaki.lg.jp/soshikiichiran/kyoikuka/bunkazaitanto/1 1/1/1411.html
Location	Nirasaki, Yamanashi Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 43' 58.26" N, 138° 27' 9.72" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2022
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Jōkaku Hōrōki
Oshiro Tabi Nikki
Jōkakuzukan
Kojō Seisuiki
Shiro Meguri

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