* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Shinjo Castle
新庄城
Shinjo Castle is a historic castle in the Tōhoku region (Built in 1625 (Kan’ei 2); abandoned in 1868 (Meiji 1)). Its lord was The Tozawa clan (lords of Shinjo Domain).
Overview
Overview
Shinjo Castle was a contour-style flatland castle in Horibata-cho, Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture, and the base of Shinjo Domain. It was built by Tozawa Masamori, who entered the region after the Mogami clan was dispossessed. The site is a city-designated historic site and is now Mogami Park.
Founding
After the dispossession of the Mogami in 1622, their former lands were divided and Tozawa Masamori entered Shinjo. He first took Mamuro Castle (Sakenobe Castle), but found it cramped and inconvenient as a mountain castle, and with the shogunate's permission built the present castle in 1625. The layout is attributed to Torii Tadamasa, who entered Yamagata Castle. The Tozawa remained lords thereafter.
Structure
A small second enclosure lies south of the main enclosure, and a third enclosure surrounds them. The moat water was drawn from the Sashiyubino River. The main enclosure had a residence, a three-story tenshu and three two-story turrets, and the domain administration sat in the third enclosure.
Abandonment
In the Boshin War of 1868 the castle was attacked by the Shonai Domain and fell, with most of it burned. It was abandoned that year.
Present Condition
Almost no buildings survive. Shrines including the Tozawa Shrine stand on the main enclosure site, and part of the stone walls, monuments marking the front gate and tenshu base, and the third enclosure moat remain. The Tenman Shrine on the site is a prefecturally designated cultural property (1987).
Connection to Swords
No source tying the castle to a specific sword has been confirmed.
Highlights
- Built by Tozawa Masamori in 1625 after the Mogami were dispossessed
- A contour-style flatland castle with a three-story tenshu and three turrets
- Burned after attack by Shonai Domain in the Boshin War
- Main enclosure site is now Mogami Park
- City-designated historic site
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.