Battle of Fukuzuka Castle (1600, Prelude to Sekigahara)
16th day of the 8th month, Keichō 5 (1600)
Fukuzuka Castle, Mino Province (present-day Wanouchi, Gifu; the castle site is said to lie around Fukuman-ji temple)
- Date
- 16th day of the 8th month, Keichō 5 (1600)
- Location
- Fukuzuka Castle, Mino Province (present-day Wanouchi, Gifu; the castle site is said to lie around Fukuman-ji temple)
- Result
- Victory for the Eastern army. Fukuzuka Castle was taken and was abandoned after the battle.
Forces
Western army
Eastern army
About 3 min read
Overview
On the 16th day of the 8th month of Keichō 5 (1600), Eastern and Western forces fought over Fukuzuka Castle in Mino Province. It was one of the preliminary engagements before the main battle of Sekigahara. The Eastern side won and Fukuzuka Castle fell.
Location
Fukuzuka Castle stood in what is now Wanouchi, Gifu Prefecture. The castle site is said to lie around Fukuman-ji temple, which still keeps an old woodblock depicting the castle.
The Two Sides
The Western lord of the castle was Marumo Kanetoshi. Ishida Mitsunari ordered Itō Morimasa, lord of Ōgaki Castle, and others to relieve it, and also sent Mai Hyōgo. The Eastern attackers included Ichihashi Nagakatsu and Tokunaga Nagamasa. Marumo Kanetoshi is said to have turned down an invitation from Fukushima Masanori of the Eastern side and joined the Western army.
Course of the Fight
The two armies faced each other at the Ōkure River. When the Eastern side launched a night attack, the Westerners fell into confusion and fled to Ōgaki Castle. Fukuzuka Castle fell, and the relief force sent by Mitsunari was also defeated.
Result and Remains
The Eastern side won, and Fukuzuka Castle was abandoned as a result of the battle. A mound for the war dead, the Kita-zuka (North Mound), stands in Ōyabu, Wanouchi.