* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Murakami Castle (Maizuru Castle)
村上城（舞鶴城）
Murakami Castle (Maizuru Castle) is a historic castle in Chūbu dating from the Traditional foundation in the Gen'ō era (c. 1321–1324); developed as a modern castle by the Hori clan in the Edo period, whose lord was Honjō Shigenaga / Hori clan / Matsudaira clan.
Overview
Murakami Castle is a mountain castle located in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, affectionately known by the elegant name "Maizuru Castle" (Dancing Crane Castle). It is a fortress built atop Gagyūzan hill (elevation 135 meters) and served as a critical strategic point on the Sea of Japan coast (northern Echigo) throughout the Sengoku and Edo periods.
The castle's origins traditionally trace to the early 16th century Sengoku period, when it was built by the Honjō clan and initially called "Honjō Castle." During the Sengoku era, Honjō Shigenaga rose to prominence using this castle as his headquarters, becoming a prominent warlord in Echigo. While serving as a senior retainer of Uesugi Kenshin, Shigenaga is known for temporarily rebelling against Kenshin, and it is also said that he later had secret dealings with Takeda Shingen.
After the Battle of Sekigahara, the Hori clan (Hori Hideji's line)—specifically Murakami Yorikats and Hori Naoyori—renovated Murakami Castle and established it as a modern fortress with stone walls and a keep foundation. The Matsudaira clan (Murakami Domain) subsequently became the lords, governing northern Echigo until the end of the Edo period.
In the final years of the Edo period, the Murakami Domain sided with the former shogunate during the Boshin War of 1868 and clashed with the new government forces; the castle became a site of fierce combat. It was abandoned during the Meiji era, and nearly all buildings were lost; however, massive stone walls remain in excellent condition and are designated a National Historic Site. The stone walls of Murakami Castle are highly esteemed by castle researchers as outstanding examples of the sophisticated "anō-zumi" (穴太積み) masonry technique.
Furthermore, Murakami City is renowned as "Japan's northernmost tea-producing region," and the historic streetscape of the castle town has been carefully preserved and maintained.
Connection to Swords
Murakami Castle's connection to Japanese swords is inseparable from Echigo region's sword culture. Although swordsmiths were active in various locations throughout Echigo Province (present-day Niigata Prefecture), they were not included in the five major transmission schools of Japanese swordcraft (Yamato, Yamashiro, Bizen, Soshu, and Mino), nor did they constitute a formally established major school tradition. Honjo Shigenaga, castellan of Murakami Castle, was a formidable Echigo warrior who distinguished himself under Uesugi Kenshin, and is said to have favored Echigo-mono swords in his personal use. Honjo Shigenaga, a direct senior retainer of Uesugi Kenshin, was profoundly influenced by Kenshin's weapon-collecting culture. Kenshin was a celebrated collector of notable swords, including those such as "Mikazuki Munehika" and "Yamatori-ke," and his cultural influence extended to his retainer Honjo Shigenaga. Under Kenshin's protection, Echigo swordsmiths flourished; Echigo-mono practical blades gained nationwide recognition. The Hori clan, who inherited Murakami Castle, were senior retainers of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and records indicate they possessed named swords received as gifts from Hideyoshi. Hori Naoyori, who became castellan of Murakami, was the son of Hori Naomasa and, after serving in Echigo Sakado and Nagaoka, was transferred to Murakami in Genna 4 (1618). The subsequent Matsudaira lords maintained deep ties with the Tokugawa shogunate and inherited swords and military equipment granted by successive shoguns. Samurai residences in Murakami, such as the Wakabayashi residence (designated a National Important Cultural Property), preserve documents related to swords and military equipment, conveying to the present day the martial culture of northern Echigo.
Highlights
- Anō-zumi stone walls — nationally designated, superbly preserved masonry from the Edo period
- Keep foundation — the stone platform reveals the former tower's substantial scale
- Views from Gagyūzan — panorama over Murakami city, the Sea of Japan, and Asahi Mountains
- Murakami Castle Ruins Park — walking trail among the stone walls
- Wakabayashi Residence (Important Cultural Property) — samurai house preserving Edo warrior culture
- Murakami castle-town streetscape — preserved historic townscape of this Echigo domain seat
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.