* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Susaki Castle
須崎城
Susaki Castle is a historic castle in Shikoku dating from the Construction date unknown (Sengoku period; said to have been built by a branch of the Tsuno clan, lords of Himenono Castle), whose lord was Tsuno Clan.
Overview
Founding
Susaki Castle is a mountain fortress built atop Shiroyama, the hill overlooking the west side of Susaki Harbor in Susaki, Kochi Prefecture. Its construction date is not clearly documented, but it is said to have been built by a branch of the Tsuno clan, the lords of Himenono Castle, and is regarded as one of the Tsuno clan's satellite fortresses. The Tsuno are said to descend from the Fujiwara Hokke (Motsune) line; their founding ancestor, Tsuno Tsunetaka, is said to have entered Takaoka District, Tosa Province in 913, cultivating the Tsunoyama area and taking the Tsuno name. From then on, the clan developed through the medieval period as jito (land stewards) based in Tsuno-sho and the mountain domains of Tsuno-shinsho and Yusuhara-sho in central-west Takaoka District, and were later counted among the "Seven Great Clans of Tosa."
Lords of the Castle
Reliable records of the successive castellans of Susaki Castle are scarce, and the lineage remains largely undocumented. In the late Sengoku period, Tsuno Sadakatsu, head of the clan, refused a demand to surrender from Chosokabe Motochika and was exiled to Iyo Province by retainers who favored submission. His son and successor, Tsuno Katsuoki, initially continued to resist Motochika but later surrendered, adopting Motochika's third son, Chikatada, into the family; Katsuoki died in 1578. At the foot of Susaki Castle, sites traditionally identified as the residences of Tsuno Chikatada and the retainer Yamanouchi Uemon-no-taifu remain. Based on this tradition, it is presumed—though not confirmed—that Chikatada made this his residence and coordinated with Chosokabe Motochika at Urado Castle via Susaki Harbor.
Structure and Features
Susaki Castle was built on Shiroyama west of Susaki Harbor, consisting of two peaks: a southern peak with a triangulation point and a northern peak holding the main bailey. The summit of the northern peak features a circular main bailey ringed by an earthen rampart, surrounded by a secondary terrace. A double dry moat reinforces the defenses along the western ridge, and multiple leveled terraces and moats survive throughout the mountain, reflecting its character as a defensive mountain fortress.
Present Day
Today the castle site is maintained as "Shiroyama Park," with a path leading past Ishizuchi Shrine up to the remains of the main bailey at the summit. Trail maintenance is limited, and portions of the mountain path can be difficult to follow. Overlooking the city of Susaki and its harbor, the site is valued locally as a spot for historical walks.
Connection to Swords
Highlights
- Mountain fortress traditionally linked to the Tsuno clan
- Traditional sites of the residences of Tsuno Chikatada and Yamanouchi Uemon-no-taifu
- Two-peak layout with surviving double dry moat
- Preserved today as Shiroyama Park
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.