* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Tokuyama Castle
徳山城
Tokuyama Castle is a historic castle in the Chūgoku region (Built 1649 (Keian 2) as a jinya, abandoned 1871 (Meiji 4)). Its lord was Mōri Naritaka.
Overview
Background of Construction
Tokuyama Castle (Tokuyama Jinya) is located in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. It was built by Mōri Naritaka, second son of Mōri Terumoto, as the government seat of the Tokuyama Domain, a branch domain of the Hagi (Chōshū) Domain. In 1649 (Keian 2), the jinya at Nogami village was completed. In the following year, 1650 (Keian 3), the domain seat was moved from Kudamatsu to Nogami, and the place name was changed to Tokuyama.
Structure
As a jinya, it had no dry moats or water moats. Its defenses consisted mainly of earthen ramparts in a simple layout. Its scale, however, was so grand that it is counted, alongside the Tsuruga Jinya and the Iino Jinya, as one of the “Three Great Jinya of Japan.”
Succession of Domain Lords
Beginning with the first domain lord, Mōri Naritaka, the Tokuyama Mōri family thereafter served as lords of the jinya from generation to generation. In 1836 (Tenpō 7), under the eighth domain lord, Mōri Hiroshige, the jinya was granted castle-lord rank (jōshu-kaku).
Present Condition
In 1871 (Meiji 4), ahead of the abolition of domains and establishment of prefectures (haihan chiken), the Tokuyama Domain was merged into the Yamaguchi Domain, and the castle was abandoned. The buildings were destroyed by fire in the air raid on Tokuyama on July 26, 1945 (Shōwa 20); only the garden section survives today. The site is now occupied by the Shunan City Cultural Hall, Yūsui Shrine, and the Shunan City Tokuyama Zoo. It has not been designated as a cultural property.
Connection to Swords
Not applicable
Highlights
- Seat of the Tokuyama Domain founded by Mōri Naritaka, second son of Mōri Terumoto
- Ranked among the "Three Great Jinya of Japan" for its scale
- Structures destroyed in the 1945 air raid on Tokuyama
- Site now occupied by the Shunan Cultural Hall and Yūsui Shrine
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.