Kemi Castle (Chikuma)

History

Kemijō was part of a network of forts controlled by the Aida Clan that protected the mountain trails (ridges with paths) around Aida territory. It is not known which clan first fortified this peak, with traditions having either the Tokiwa or Kemi clans as originators. According to a reference in the "Diary of Shinano Highway Officials (信濃国道者之御祓くばり日記)", dating to 1581, the Kageyu Clan were in charge of the castle, using it as a checkpoint fort to guard the road; perhaps the Kageyu were vassals of Takeda Katsuyori. But the castle was built before this time, and it is also thought that in its earlier history the castle was controlled by Maruyama Higo and acted as a satellite fortification of Hikijō, which would've alligned it with the Nishina Clan in Aźumi.

If I'm piecing this together properly then the castle's lineage may have gone: Unknown original clan - possibly Tokiwa or Kemi > Nishina-alligned Maruyama Clan > Aida Clan > Takeda-alligned Kageyu Clan. And possibly the Ogasawara Clan after that if the fort was still active.

Visit Notes

Kemijō consists of two principal baileys, with the second directly below the first on the south side. On the ridge which climbs towards the castle mount there are a series of peaks which may have been auxiliary baileys of the castle - but it's hard to tell.

Gallery

Terraced sub-bailey with graves beneath main bailey

Castle Profile
English Name	Chikuma Kemi Castle
Japanese Name	筑摩花見城
Founder	Kemi Clan or Tokiwa Clan
Year Founded	Medieval Era
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Kuruwa
Features
Visitor Information
Access	Akashina Station on the Shinonoi Line; 45 minute fun walk along Former Shinonoi Line Nature Trail to trailhead; or forestry road access
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	60 minutes
Location	Azumino, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 22' 16.57" N, 137° 57' 35.89" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2021
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
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