* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Kagomori Castle
河後森城
Kagomori Castle is a historic castle in Shikoku dating from the Traditionally founded in 1196 (Kenkyū 7); abandoned in 1615 (Genna 1), whose lord was The Watanabe clan; the Shiba clan; Toda Katsutaka; Tōdō Takatora; the Kori clan (chief retainers assigned to Date Munemune).
Overview
Overview
Kagomori Castle was a mountain castle in Matsumaru, Matsuno Town, Kita-Uwa District, Ehime Prefecture, built on a horseshoe-shaped isolated hill surrounded on three sides by the Hiromi River, a tributary of the Shimanto River, and its own tributaries the Horikiri and Iwashi rivers. It is designated a National Historic Site for its well-preserved depiction of a complete medieval mountain castle, and is also one of the Continuation of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
Construction and the Watanabe Clan
The castle is traditionally said to have been built in 1196 (Kenkyū 7) by the Watanabe clan. Known as the "Lords of Kawaharabuchi," the Watanabe clan held the castle as their hereditary stronghold for generations.
Succession of Lords
Around 1580–1581 (Tenshō 8–9), Shiba Masakage of the Shiba clan, which had come to control the castle in place of the Watanabe, defected to the Chōsokabe clan and seized it. Under the Toyotomi regime, Toda Katsutaka drove out the Shiba clan and ruled the area; after a subsequent period under Tōdō Takatora, Kori Kageyori, a chief retainer assigned to Date Munemune when he established the Uwajima domain in 1614 (Keichō 19), took up residence in the castle.
Structure
Centered on the main bailey, the layout includes a group of baileys numbered West 2 through West 10 to the west, East 2 through East 4 and Old Castle 1 through 4 to the east, and the Shinjō (New Castle) group of baileys to the south, with the Old Castle, Main Castle, and New Castle sections linked in a horseshoe-shaped layout. Excavations have confirmed the remains of multiple pillar-supported buildings across several baileys, and gates and buildings within the castle have been reconstructed based on the survey results.
Abandonment
The castle was abandoned in 1615 (Genna 1) under the One Castle Per Province Edict issued by the Edo shogunate.
Designation and Present State
It was designated a National Historic Site on September 11, 1997, and was selected as No. 179 in the Continuation of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan on April 6, 2017. Mountain trails and reconstructed buildings are now maintained on the site, and some excavated artifacts can be viewed at facilities within the town.
Access
About a 30-minute walk from Matsumaru Station on the JR Yodo Line. About 15 kilometers by car from the Mima Interchange on the Matsuyama Expressway, with the climb to the castle beginning at the Furogatani parking area.
Connection to Swords
Highlights
- A mountain castle built on a horseshoe-shaped isolated hill surrounded on three sides by the Hiromi, Horikiri, and Iwashi rivers
- Traditionally founded in 1196 by the Watanabe clan, known as the Lords of Kawaharabuchi
- Passed through the Chōsokabe clan, Toda Katsutaka, and Tōdō Takatora before the Kori clan, chief retainers of the Uwajima domain, took up residence
- A horseshoe-shaped layout linking the Old Castle, Main Castle, and New Castle sections, with gates and buildings reconstructed based on excavation results
- A National Historic Site and No. 179 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.