* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Tachibanayama Castle
立花山城
Tachibanayama Castle is a historic castle in the Kyūshū region (Traditionally built in 1330 (Gentoku 2) by Ōtomo Sadanori; abandoned in 1601 (Keichō 6) after Kuroda Nagamasa built Fukuoka Castle). Its lord was Ōtomo Sadanori (ancestor of the Tachibana family); Betsuki Akitsura (Tachibana Dōsetsu); Tachibana Muneshige; Kobayakawa Takakage.
Overview
Overview
Tachibanayama Castle is a medieval mountain castle built on Mount Tachibana (367 meters), which straddles Higashi-ku in Fukuoka City and the towns of Shingū and Hisayama in Kasuya District, Fukuoka Prefecture. It was a large mountain castle about 1 kilometer across from east to west, with the entire mountain fortified, and it was one of the most important strongholds of the Ōtomo clan's rule over northern Kyushu.
Construction and Succession of Lords
It is said to have been built in 1330 (Gentoku 2) by Ōtomo Sadanori, second son of Ōtomo Sadamune, shugo (military governor) of Bungo Province. Because Sadanori based himself here, he came to call himself Tachibana. During the Sengoku period, Betsuki Akitsura (later known as Tachibana Dōsetsu) became the castellan. Dōsetsu's son-in-law Tachibana Muneshige succeeded to the headship of the family and held the castle in 1586 (Tenshō 14), defending it against a large Shimazu army that had advanced north in an effort to conquer Kyushu. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi pacified Kyushu, Muneshige was transferred to Yanagawa and Kobayakawa Takakage entered the castle, but after Najima Castle was built, Tachibanayama became a subsidiary castle. In 1601 (Keichō 6), when Kuroda Nagamasa built Fukuoka Castle, the castle was abandoned.
Structure
The main enclosure was on Seirōzan (Honjō-yama), the summit of Mount Tachibana. The castle was a large mountain castle made up of a group of enclosures spread across the entire mountain, including Shiradake, Matsuo-dake, Ibanowo, Ōtawo, Ōtsubura, and Kotsubura. Stone walls survive concentrated around the main enclosure, Ibanowo, Ōtawo, and Kotsubura, and many stone walls remain around the gate at the northeastern end of the main enclosure. Rows of tatebori (vertical obstacle trenches) have also been confirmed on the southern ridge and at Kotsubura.
Connection to Swords and Armor
The famed sword Raikiri, originally named Chidori, is traditionally held to be the sword worn by castellan Tachibana Dōsetsu. According to legend, when Dōsetsu was struck by lightning on a summer day, he escaped by instinctively slashing at the lightning with his beloved sword Chidori, and for this reason it was renamed Raikiri. Dōsetsu is said to have continued carrying a matchlock and Raikiri afterward, riding in a palanquin and commanding from the front lines. The blade traditionally identified as Raikiri is now held by the Tachibana Museum in Yanagawa City.
Present Condition
After abandonment, only a few stone walls and the remains of an old well survive near the summit, and much of the castle site is covered by deep evergreen broadleaf forest. This forest is designated as the "Tachibanayama Camphor Primeval Forest," a nationally designated Special Natural Monument, and the summit is also known as a viewpoint overlooking Hakata Bay.
Connection to Swords
Tachibana Dōsetsu, castellan of Tachibanayama, is traditionally linked to the famed sword "Raikiri" (originally "Chidori"), said to have been renamed after Dōsetsu cut at a bolt of lightning with it. The blade is preserved at the Tachibana Museum in Yanagawa City; Dōsetsu reportedly carried it, along with a matchlock, while directing his troops from a litter at the front lines.
Highlights
- A mountain castle built in 1330 by Ōtomo Sadanori, from which the Tachibana name derives
- A historic battlefield where Tachibana Muneshige held off a large Shimazu army in 1586
- A vast complex of enclosures about 1 kilometer across from east to west, with stone walls surviving near the main enclosure, Ibanowo, and Ōtawo
- A castle associated with the famed sword "Raikiri" (originally "Chidori"), said to have been worn by castellan Tachibana Dōsetsu
- The evergreen broadleaf forest in the castle area is designated a nationally designated Special Natural Monument, the "Tachibanayama Camphor Primeval Forest"
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.