Kasama Castle

Kasama Castle is a mountain castle built around the summit of Mount Sashiro (elevation 205 m) in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is traditionally said to have been built during the Kamakura period by Kasama Tokitomo (1203–1265), and the Kasama clan made it their residence for approximately 380 years thereafter. It is notable among Kanto-region castles for its remains, which make extensive use of stone walls, and on April 6, 2017, it was selected by the Japan Castle Association as No. 112 of the "Continued 100 Fine Castles" (Zoku Nihon 100 Meijo).

Founding Background

Kasama Castle was built during the Kamakura period as a stronghold on the summit of Mount Sashiro and was subsequently developed as the successive base of the Kasama clan. Throughout the medieval period, earthen defensive facilities developed, and it became one of the leading castles in central Hitachi Province.

Lords and Succession

The Kasama clan held Kasama Castle as their residence for about 380 years, from the Kamakura period through the Sengoku period. In 1590, during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Siege of Odawara, the Kasama clan, who had sided with the Later Hojo, were destroyed, and a retainer of the Utsunomiya clan entered the castle. In 1598, Gamo Gonari entered the castle, advanced renovation of the main approach road and the honmaru, and aimed at the transition from a medieval mountain castle to an early modern castle.

Structure and Defenses

Kasama Castle is highly regarded for preserving both medieval earthen remains and early modern stone-wall remains. Stone walls are used extensively around the honmaru and along the main approach road, which is considered unusual for a Kanto-region castle. Earthen ramparts, dry moats and other medieval defensive facilities can also be confirmed in various places.

Current State and Preservation

Today, the summit area of Mount Sashiro is preserved as a castle ruin, and its remains, such as stone walls and earthen ramparts, have been passed down to the present. As one of the Continued 100 Fine Castles, maintenance and guidance are carried out by the local municipality.