* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Okishio Castle
置塩城
Okishio Castle is a historic castle in the Kansai region (Traditionally built in 1469 (Bunmei 1); ordered dismantled in 1580 (Tenshō 8)). Its lord was The Akamatsu clan (Masanori, Yoshimura, Harumasa, Yoshisuke, Norifusa).
Overview
Overview
Okishio Castle was a mountain castle in Yumesaki, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and the seat of the Akamatsu clan, shugo of Harima. It stands on Mount Shiroyama at about 370 meters and is also known as Fujimaru Castle. The ruins form part of the National Historic Site "Akamatsu Clan Castle Sites".
Founding and Lords
It has long been said that Akamatsu Masanori, restored as shugo of Harima after the Ōnin-Bunmei War, built it in 1469. The lords are given as five Akamatsu generations: Masanori, Yoshimura, Harumasa, Yoshisuke and Norifusa. Yoshimura succeeded as an adopted heir, but his shugodai Uragami Munemune took real power and had him killed in 1521.
Recent Views
According to materials of the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History, the clan's base moved from Sakamoto to Okishio in the early 16th century under Yoshimura, and the mountain castle was developed under Harumasa, around the mid-16th century. Thus a tradition of 15th-century construction coexists with a view of full-scale development in the 16th century.
Abandonment
Akamatsu Norifusa submitted to Hashiba Hideyoshi in 1577. With Hideyoshi's pacification of Harima, an order to dismantle the castle was issued in 1580 and it was abandoned. Its buildings and stone walls are said to have been moved to Himeji Castle.
Structure
It is a linked-compound mountain castle with more than 60 enclosures, including the main, second and third enclosures. Low stone walls support the enclosure embankments, and large stone walls, steep cut slopes and garden remains can be seen near the summit. Excavations found the remains of a building with rows of tile, thought to be a turret.
Present Condition
The site was designated a National Historic Site in 1996 as the Akamatsu Clan Castle Sites, together with Shirahata and Kanjōyama castles. The climb from the trailhead at Miyaoki to the summit area takes about 40 minutes.
Connection to Swords
No source tying the castle to a specific sword has been confirmed.
Highlights
- Seat of the Akamatsu, shugo of Harima
- Traditionally built by Akamatsu Masanori in 1469
- A linked-compound mountain castle with over 60 enclosures and stone walls
- Dismantled and abandoned in 1580
- National Historic Site since 1996 as part of the Akamatsu Clan Castle Sites
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.