* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Hiketa Castle
引田城
Hiketa Castle is a historic castle in Shikoku dating from the Traditionally built in the late Muromachi period; renovated by Ikoma Chikamasa in 1587 (Tenshō 15); abandoned in 1615 (Genna 1), whose lord was Shinomiya Ukon; Ikoma Chikamasa; Sengoku Hidehisa.
Overview
Overview
Hiketa Castle stands on Shiroyama (about 82m), a promontory jutting into the Seto Inland Sea in Hiketa, Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture.
Historical Background
The site is said to have been the residence of Shinomiya Ukon in the late Muromachi period. In 1587, Ikoma Chikamasa, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi who was enfeoffed in Sanuki Province, took the castle and carried out major renovations; later modifications by Sengoku Hidehisa are also recorded.
Scale and Structure
In its early form the castle stretched in a U-shape along the ridge, with towers at its four corners. It is regarded as one of the earliest stone-walled castles in Sanuki Province, and stonework dating from the late Sengoku period through the early Edo period survives across the site.
Present Condition
Of the four corner towers, remains of the northern and western towers survive today, with the high stone walls of the northern second bailey considered the site's most notable feature.
Abandonment
The castle was abandoned in 1615 under the one-castle-per-domain edict.
Cultural Property Status
On March 10, 2020, the site became the first National Historic Site in Higashikagawa City. In 2017 it was selected as No. 177 of the Continuation of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
Connection to Swords
Highlights
- A hirayama-jiro on a roughly 82-meter promontory jutting into the Seto Inland Sea
- Taken and extensively renovated in 1587 by Ikoma Chikamasa, a Toyotomi Hideyoshi retainer; one of the earliest fully stone-walled castles in Sanuki Province
- Originally laid out with towers at its four corners; the northern and western tower remains and the high stone walls of the northern second bailey survive today
- Abandoned in 1615 under the one-castle-per-domain edict
- Higashikagawa City's first National Historic Site, designated in 2020; No. 177 in the Continuation of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.