* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Kaminokuni Katsuyama-date (Kaminokuni Fort Ruins)
上ノ国勝山館（上之国館跡）
- Lord
- Takeda Nobuhiro (builder, progenitor of the later Matsumae clan); subsequently held by successive heads of the Kakizaki clan (the renamed Takeda line)
- Era
- Late Muromachi period (built in the latter half of the 15th century), functioning as a stronghold until around the end of the 16th century
- Designation
- National Historic Site "Kaminokuni Fort Ruins" (designated April 12, 1977; supplementary designation August 10, 1987; consolidated and renamed March 31, 2006); Continuation of Japan's Top 100 Castles (selected April 2017)
- Location
- Kaminokuni, Hiyama District, Hokkaido
- Access
- About a 10-minute drive from central Kaminokuni; adjacent to the Katsuyama-date Guidance Facility
Kaminokuni Katsuyama-date (Kaminokuni Fort Ruins) is a historic castle in the Hokkaidō region (Late Muromachi period (built in the latter half of the 15th century), functioning as a stronghold until around the end of the 16th century). Its lord was Takeda Nobuhiro (builder, progenitor of the later Matsumae clan); subsequently held by successive heads of the Kakizaki clan (the renamed Takeda line).
Overview
Overview
Katsuyama-date is a mountain castle in Kaminokuni, Hiyama District, Hokkaido, and one of the strongholds of the Wajin (ethnic Japanese) forces in the southern Oshima Peninsula. It is said to have been built in the late 15th century by Takeda Nobuhiro, the progenitor of the Matsumae (Kakizaki) clan.
Founding and History
Takeda Nobuhiro took refuge with Kakizaki Suetoshi, who was based at Hanazawa-date (one of the Twelve Forts of Southern Hokkaido), and after distinguishing himself in suppressing the Kōshamain War (1457), he succeeded to the headship of the Kakizaki clan. He is then said to have built Katsuyama-date as a highly defensible mountain castle. Thereafter, until around the end of the 16th century, it functioned as a major base for the Takeda and Kakizaki clans for politics, military affairs, and trade along the Sea of Japan coast. Even after the main base moved to Ōdate in Matsumae in Eishō 11 (1514), it was regarded as a secondary castle where members of the clan were stationed.
Structure and Remains
Excavations spanning more than 20 years have confirmed palisades, dry moats, a bridge, building foundations, and well remains, among others. More than 100,000 artifacts have been unearthed, including Chinese celadon and blue-and-white porcelain, domestic pottery, metal objects, and wooden objects. In particular, somewhat over 500 bone and antler tools used by the Ainu have been excavated, and the site is academically valued as a remain showing that Wajin and Ainu coexisted and traded within the same space.
Present State and Access
Preserved as the national-designated historic site "Kaminokuni Fort Ruins," it was selected for the Continuation of Japan's Top 100 Castles in April 2017. The remains have been developed through three-dimensional reconstruction and flat markers, and visitors can view excavated artifacts and explanations at the adjacent guidance facility. Walking paths have been developed, with information boards installed at various locations.
Highlights
- Mountain fortress built by Takeda Nobuhiro, progenitor of the Matsumae (Kakizaki) clan, and a major hub of Sea of Japan coastal trade
- Over 100,000 artifacts recovered through more than two decades of excavation
- More than 500 Ainu bone and antler tools found, evidencing Wajin-Ainu coexistence
- National Historic Site "Kaminokuni Fort Ruins"; selected in 2017 among the Continuation of Japan's Top 100 Castles
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.