Sainokami Castle

History

Sainokamijō is known only to history via its current ruins, as no written record remains. It is speculated that the fort was originally constructed as the tsumeshiro (fortified redoubt) attached the manor of the Yonefuku-chōsha. The earliest date for construction would be the 8th century then, but the ruins are medieval, likely Sengoku period. And so, the Okudaira Clan may have used the fort when they conquered Tsukude in the late 14th century. The Okudaira Clan came under the sway of the Kai-Takeda by 1572, and it is further thought that Sainokamijō was (re-)built at that time. Considering the ruins of the fort and folklore, it is probable that a primitive fort existed here before 1572, and the Takeda remodeled it into a compact but solid yamajiro (mountaintop castle) in 1572. Sainokamijō thereupon functioned as a satellite fort of Furumiyajō, and was likely abandoned or destroyed following the destruction of that castle in 1573.

Visit Notes

Sainokamijō is a mountaintop fort ruin in Tsukude Village, Shinshiro Municipality. Features include dorui (earthen ramparts), horikiri (trenches), kuruwa (baileys) and other earthworks. The central bailey is almost wholly surrounded by tall dorui. It has a formidable front gate and rear gate. There are at least two sub-baileys to the rear, the upper most of which is ensconced by half-man-height dorui. A segment of this dorui climbs to connect with the main bailey above. At the bottom of the terracing is a horikiri. To the front of the fort is a demaru (detached / projecting bailey), separated only a little from the central bailey, and this has a notable horikiri in front. There are earthworks also between the main and projecting bailey, including dorui and what might be the remnant of a gate complex.

Some visitors to this lesser appreciated of the Tsukude sites come via Monjuyama above, but the relative height is not so much so I just clambered up the mountain directly, going from the bottom of the road which leads to Monjuyama Castle.

Gallery

Dorui around main bailey
Climbing dorui between main and lower bailey
Atop dorui of lower bailey
Atop of main bailey ramparts
Horikiri

Castle Profile
English Name	Sainokami Castle
Japanese Name	塞ノ神城
Founder	Yonefuku Clan; Okudaira Clan; Takeda Clan
Year Founded	Medieval Era; 1572
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Local Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Kuruwa, Dorui, Demaru, Horikiri
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Route 301
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	50 minutes
Location	Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture
Coordinates	34° 58' 19.24" N, 137° 25' 21.18" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2023
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Kojōdan
Kojō Seisuiki
Jōkaku Hōrōki
Shiseki Yawa
Jōkaku Shashin Kiroku
Umoreta Kojō

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