* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Yatsushiro Castle (Mugishima Castle)
八代城（麦島城）
Yatsushiro Castle (Mugishima Castle) is a historic castle in Kyūshū dating from the Built in 1619 (Genna 5), whose lord was Kato Masakata / Hosokawa clan (Matsui clan as castle governors).
Overview
About the Castle
Yatsushiro Castle is a modern-era castle built in a strategic location in southern Higo Province. Built in 1619 (Genwa 5) by Kato Masakata, son of Kato Kiyomasa, on low-lying land surrounded by the Kuma River and Hinagu Bay, it is a water castle (mizushiro). The previous castle at this location was Mugi Island Castle, built by Konishi Yukinaga near the mouth of the Kuma River, but it collapsed in the earthquake of 1619 (Genwa 5), so Masakata built a new castle at the current site.
Branch Castle of the Hosokawa Clan
When the Kato clan was stripped of power in 1632 (Kanei 9), Hosokawa Tadatoshi, who inherited Kumamoto Domain, developed Yatsushiro Castle as a branch castle. The Matsui family, a senior retainer of the Hosokawa clan, served as hereditary castle governors and protected this castle until the end of the Edo period. The stone walls of Yatsushiro Castle are constructed from blue stone (slate-like metamorphic rock) from the Kuma River and possess a distinctive beauty; the sight of the stone walls reflected in the water is particularly known as "Higo's Water Castle."
The Kuma River and Yatsushiro Culture
Since ancient times, Yatsushiro has flourished as a site for the accumulation and distribution of goods via the Kuma River. Industries such as Kuma shochu, Yatsushiro linen, and Yatsushiro rush grass (tatami surface) supported the castle town. Under the Hosokawa, Yatsushiro developed culturally, and in the performing arts and crafts, it formed its own cultural sphere in coordination with Higo and Kumamoto. The Myoken Festival of Yatsushiro Shrine (Myoken Shrine) is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is known nationwide as a distinctive festival featuring the parade of enormous papier-mâché turtle-serpent (kida) figures.
The Tenshu Platform and Beauty of the Stone Walls
Yatsushiro Castle is confirmed to have had a tenshu (keep), but after the Meiji Restoration it became an abandoned castle; today only the stone walls and moats remain. The beauty of its stone walls and their unity with the Kuma River and tidal flats create a unique atmosphere, making it a popular spot among history enthusiasts and photographers. From the top of the tenshu platform, views extend over the Yatsushiro Plain and the Shiranui Sea; it possesses the character of a peaceful southern country castle, distinct from Kumamoto Castle.
Connection to Swords
Yatsushiro Castle, held by the Matsui clan as a branch castle of the Hosokawa family, was deeply connected to the Hosokawa family's sword culture. The Matsui clan, with Matsui Yasuyuki, chief retainer of Hosokawa Yusai (Fujitaka), as their founder, faithfully inherited the Hosokawa family's samurai culture. The "Matsui Bunko" archive, passed down through generations of the Matsui clan, preserves abundant swords, weapons, and historical documents related to both the Hosokawa and Matsui families, and is highly valued as a first-rank historical resource for studying Japan's samurai culture. Hosokawa Tadaoki (Sansai) was one of the most renowned collectors in Japanese sword history, and the Matsui clan, guided by his influence, also preserved high-quality swords. Higo Province is noted as the birthplace of a unique metalworking technique called "Higo-zogan" (Higo inlay work), a decorative technique of inlaying gold and silver into iron that was perfected during the Edo period as a unique expression created by Higo swordsmiths and metalworkers. The Higo tsuba (Higo sword guards) were established by master craftsmen including Hayashi Matashichi (Hayashi school), Hirata Hikozou (Hirata school), Nishigaki Kanshirou (Nishigaki school), Shimizu Jingo (Shimizu school), and Kamiyoshi Juhei (Kamiyoshi family), and represent the pinnacle of sword-fitting metalwork. Their simple and powerful aesthetic embodies "Higo's martial spirit." The Matsui clan, based in Yatsushiro, also patronized Higo-zogan craftsmen, and records remain of metalworkers in the Yatsushiro castle town producing tsuba, menuki (sword grip ornaments), and fuchigashira (sword fittings) according to the Matsui family's requests. Today, the Matsui Bunko (Yatsushiro City) is open to the public, where one can view numerous swords and artworks, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, connected to both the Hosokawa and Matsui families. The Yatsushiro City Museum "Mirai no Mori Museum" also preserves excellent materials on Higo swords and inlay work. The tradition of Higo-zogan, refined in Yatsushiro, continues to be passed on by contemporary craft artists, and remains one of the most distinctive styles in the world of Japanese sword fittings, shining brightly to this day.
Highlights
- Yatsushiro Castle Stone Walls and Moat — Stone walls of a water castle built with blue stones from the Kuma River; the reflected views in the moat are spectacular
- Matsui Collection — A treasury of swords and fine art crafts, including important cultural properties passed down through the Matsui family
- Yatsushiro City Museum "Miraino Mori Museum" — Comprehensive exhibitions of Higo swords, inlay work, and Yatsushiro's history
- Yatsushiro Shrine Myoken Festival (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) — Yatsushiro's grand festival featuring the Kida (sacred turtle-serpent float) in procession
- Kuma Shochu Distillery Tours — Experience the distillery culture of Kuma, Japan's only rice shochu production region
- Shiranuhi Sea Sunset — A spectacular southern vista of the Yatsushiro plain and Yatsushiro Sea, seen from the castle keep foundation
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.