* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Motosakura Castle
本佐倉城
Motosakura Castle is a historic castle in Kantō dating from the Traditionally built during the Bunmei era (1469–1486); abandoned in 1615 (Genna 1), whose lord was The Chiba clan (including Chiba Takatane and successive heads).
Overview
Overview
Motosakura Castle was a medieval hirayama-jiro (hilltop castle) built on Masakado-yama, straddling present-day Ōsakura in Sakura City and Motosakura in Shisui Town, Chiba Prefecture. It served as the late-period headquarters of the Chiba clan, a powerful daimyo family of the Shimōsa region.
Historical Background
The castle is believed to have been built during the Bunmei era (1469–1486) as the stronghold of the Shimōsa Chiba clan, with records indicating that Chiba Takatane moved his base there in 1484. It remained the seat of successive Chiba clan lords for roughly a century, until the clan's fall in 1590.
Scale and Structure
Built on a peninsula-like hill with a valley to the south, the castle followed a renkaku-shiki (linked-enclosure) layout divided into an inner and outer bailey. The inner bailey was a natural stronghold surrounded on three sides by marshland; no tenshu (keep) was built.
Abandonment
The castle was abandoned in 1615, after the domain seat was transferred to Sakura Castle under the one-castle-per-domain policy.
Present Condition
Earthworks and dry moats survive in near-complete condition, and the site is noted for its exceptional state of preservation.
Cultural Property Status
On September 11, 1998, the site was designated a National Historic Site as "Motosakura Castle Ruins." In 2017 it was selected as No. 121 of the Continuation of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
Connection to Swords
Highlights
- The late-period headquarters of the Chiba clan; Chiba Takatane is recorded as having moved his base there in 1484
- Served as the seat of successive Chiba clan lords for about a century, until the clan's fall in 1590
- A renkaku-shiki hirayama-jiro with an inner and outer bailey, its inner bailey a natural stronghold surrounded on three sides by marshland
- Earthworks and dry moats survive in near-complete condition
- A National Historic Site and No. 121 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.