* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Kakuda Castle (Gagyū Castle)
角田城（臥牛城）
Kakuda Castle (Gagyū Castle) is a historic castle in the Tōhoku region (Built during the Eiroku era (1558–1570)). Its lord was Tate Munemitsu / Date Shigezane / Ishikawa Akimitsu (Date family branch).
Overview
About the Castle
Kakuda Castle was located on a hill spur on the west bank of the Abukuma River in southern Miyagi Prefecture. It was built during the Eiroku era (1558–1570) by Tate Munemitsu, a retainer of the Date clan. The castle later became a stage of contention between the Date and Sōma clans. After serving as the main residence of Date Shigezane, it came under the control of Ishikawa Akimitsu, a member of the Date family, who became lord of the castle in Keichō 3 (1598). It functioned as a defensive base for the southern part of Date territory.
As a Castle of the Date Family Branch
Ishikawa Akimitsu was a son of Date Harumune and an uncle of Masamune. He was adopted as the heir of Ishikawa Harumitsu and succeeded to the Ishikawa family while remaining a member of the Date family. He took on the role of guarding the southern approaches of the Date domain. Kakuda lies in the Abukuma River basin and developed as a castle town of the Ishikawa family. During the Edo period, the Ishikawa family, the foremost branch house of the Sendai domain, took up residence at Kakuda Yōgai and lived there generation after generation until the Meiji Restoration.
The Abukuma Landscape and the Castle Town
Kakuda lies on the rich alluvial plain formed by the Abukuma River and developed as an agricultural castle town based on rice cultivation and sericulture. Today, Kakuda is known as the site of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Kakuda Space Center, making it a unique city where a historic samurai castle town and cutting-edge space technology coexist. The Kakuda Castle ruins today are occupied by Miyagi Prefectural Kakuda High School on the site of the honmaru and by Kakuda Junior High School on the site of the ninomaru. Some earthen ramparts and moats remain. Near the entrance of the high school stands a stone monument reading "Kakuda Castle Ruins."
Connection to Swords
Kakuda Castle was the residence of the Ishikawa family, the foremost branch of the Date clan, throughout the Edo period, and it is linked to the warrior culture of the Sendai domain. In the Sendai domain, domain smiths forged swords, including the first-generation Kunikane, who studied under Kyoto swordsmiths at the command of Date Masamune. They supported the sword culture of the Date family. In the Boshin War of the late Edo period, the Sendai domain formed the core of the Ōu-Etsu Reppan Dōmei (Northeast and Echigo Alliance) and fought the new government forces.
Highlights
- Kakuda Castle stone monument — stands at the entrance of Kakuda High School on the site of the honmaru, and some earthen ramparts and moats remain
- Gagyū Gate — castle gate of Kakuda Castle relocated to Chōsen-ji temple (Designated Tangible Cultural Property of Kakuda City)
- Nature and scenery of the Abukuma River — views from the castle ruins over the southern Miyagi plain and the Abukuma River
- JAXA rocket engine combustion test facility — the coexistence of a medieval castle town and the miracle of space development
- Spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage — the seasonal colors of the Kakuda Castle ruins
- Local industries of southern Miyagi — exploring the background of the agriculture and sericulture culture of the Abukuma region
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.