Matsukura Castle

History

Matsukurajō was built in 1579 by Anekōji Yoritsuna, formerly known as Mitsuki Yoritsuna or Miki Yoritsuna, after he moved from Sakuraborajō. Yoritsuna supported Sassa Narimasa in opposition to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, prompting the invastion of his territory. Matsukurajō was conquered by Kanamori Nagachika in 1585. In 1588 Nagachika built Takayamajō on the opposite side of the valley and Matsukurajō was abandoned.

Visit Notes

Matsukurajō is a mountaintop castle in old Hida Province, located in the mountains surrounding Takayama. There are several castles in the area but Matsukurajō has the most ishigaki (stone-piled ramparts) remaining. It is an interesting site to visit for castle fans who like ishigaki I think. The honmaru (main bailey) and an adjacent area which contained a yagura (turret) is stone-clad, although only one corner of the honmaru retains its full height, the other corner segments having been degraded with time, often with their stone blocks still scattered below where they collapsed, now overgrown like neglected graves. The ninomaru (second bailey) is by now denuded of its stone ramparts but nonetheless its contours are readily appreciated from the yaguradai and honmaru. We climbed up from the sannomaru (third bailey). There is parking just below there. The short trail starts with a warning about bears and an empty bucket with kosh attached. You whack it to make a lot of noise so as to forewarn any bears which may be around of your presence. Bears really hate it when you sneak up on them, as they are a secretive bunch. I took to this saftey precaution with the enthusiasm of a child permitted to break rules, hammering on the bucket loudly and shouting - we didn't have bear bells. Matsukurajō is also accessed via a trail starting from the Hida no Sato outdoor folkhome museum. The lower extremities of Matsukurajō extend into that park, as I found deformed dorui (earth-piled ramparts) there. The castle mount looms over the relocated farmhouses.

Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Matsukura Castle
Japanese Name	松倉城
Founder	Anekōji Yoritsuna
Year Founded	1579
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Takayama Station (JR Takayama Line), 10 min bus to Hida no Sato, 20 min walk from here.
Visitor Information	park, open any time
Time Required
Website	http://www.city.takayama.lg.jp/kurashi/1000021/1000119/1000847/1000954/1000964.html
Location	Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 7' 33.96" N, 137° 14' 3.98" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2019
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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ARTShogun

47 months ago

Score 1

Matsukurajō (Takayama)　松倉城　［高山］ Matsukurajō is a mountaintop castle in old Hida Province, located in the mountains surrounding Takayama. There are several castles in the area but Matsukurajō has the most ishigaki (stone-piled ramparts) remaining. It is an interesting site to visit for castle fans who like ishigaki I think. The honmaru (main bailey) and an adjacent area which contained a yagura (turret) is stone-clad, although only one corner of the honmaru retains its full height, the other corner segments having been degraded with time, often with their stone blocks still scattered below where they collapsed, now overgrown like neglected graves. The ninomaru (second bailey) is by now denuded of its stone ramparts but nonetheless its contours are readily appreciated from the yaguradai and honmaru. We climbed up from the sannomaru (third bailey). There is parking just below there. The short trail starts with a warning about bears and an empty bucket with kosh attached. You whack it to make a lot of noise so as to forewarn any bears which may be around of your presence. Bears really hate it when you sneak up on them, as they are a secretive bunch. I took to this saftey precaution with the enthusiasm of a child permitted to break rules, hammering on the bucket loudly and shouting - we didn't have bear bells. Matsukurajō is also accessed via a trail starting from the Hida no Sato outdoor folkhome museum. The lower extremities of Matsukurajō extend into that park, as I found deformed dorui (earth-piled ramparts) there. The castle mount looms over the relocated farmhouses. History:

Matsukurajō was built in 1579 by Anekōji Yoritsuna, formerly known as Mitsuki Yoritsuna or Miki Yoritsuna, after he moved from Sakuraborajō. Yoritsuna supported Sassa Narimasa in opposition to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, prompting the invastion of his territory. Matsukurajō was conquered by Kanamori Nagachika in 1585. In 1588 Nagachika built Takayamajō on the opposite side of the valley and Matsukurajō was abandoned.

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ARTShogun

47 months ago

Score 1

Edit: gave this profile a history.

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EricShogun

47 months ago

Score 0

Thanks! I'll edit this notes later too. not sure when or by whom those were added. It's a transfer from the old site.

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