Kokuzousannanseioneno Castle (Aida)

History

For more information see Aida Kokuzousan Castle.

Visit Notes

Kokuzōsannanseionenojō is part of the Aida-jōkangun, a complex or network of fortified spaces on and beneath Mount Kokuzō. The site’s clunky name simply refers to its positioning on a southwestern ridge of the castle mount. The fort’s layout is made up of a series baileys and terraces along the ridge. To the rear is a horikiri (trench) sunk into the ridge. If Mount Kokuzō was attacked from the south, Nanseionenojō would’ve been one of the first lines of defence as an outer fortification.

The name for this site comes from how it was labelled on a map of the network of forts I was using, but an explanation board at the site also makes reference to a ‘Tenguyama-toride’ without labelling it on any map. This being a notably large cluster of fortifications set apart from the rest, I thought ‘Tenguyama-toride’ could refer to this fort, but I have no way of knowing. One would also suspect a fort with such a name (usually only the most inaccessible forts are named after tengu) to be located on one of the higher peaks, and so, since it is listed alongside Minenojō (so we know it isn’t yet another name for the summit fort), it could also refer to a couple of baileys divided by a trench along the west of the topmost ridge. I have called that detached bailey ‘West Fort’, but it may also be ‘Tengu Mountain Fort’. It seems some of these names are only known to locals!

Gallery

Map showing s.w. ridge fort
Horikiri (trench)
Bailey

Castle Profile
English Name	Kokuzousannanseioneno Castle (Aida)
Japanese Name	会田虚空蔵山南西尾根の城
Founder	Aida Clan; Ogasawara Clan
Year Founded	Kamakura Period; 16th century
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Horikiri
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Bus from Matsumoto Station
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	50 minutes
Location	Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 21' 48.02" N, 138° 0' 15.52" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2023
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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