Uenoyama Castle (Chikuma)

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History

Uenoyamajō was built by the Ogasawara Clan who ruled Shinano Province from their powerbase near modern day Matsumoto (Igawa Castle and Hayashiohjo Castle were Ogasawara Clan strongholds). Uenoyamajō was part of a network of castles encompassing Arashi Castle and Iinawa Castle to the south. Together these fortifications protected Ogasawara heartlands during the turbulent Sengoku Period. Uenojō's strategic position meant it was vital in protecting entry into the valley from Suwa District in the southeast and also from Ina District in the southwest (Uenojō's district is Chikuma, which encompasses the valley containing Matsumoto, and rises into Azumi District in the northwest). Whilst the mountain ruin was the main fortified area for in times of war, the site of day-to-day affairs and lord's manor are presumed to have been located at the foot of the mountain where the temple Saifukuji is located today.


Visit Notes

Uenojō is a yamajiro (mountain castle) ruin on the outskirts of Shiojiri Municapility, near to the end of the valley encompassing Matsumoto at the point where the Suwa District starts - I mean to say it was a strategic area. Ruins consist of a shukuruwa (main bailey) surrounded by remnants of trenches. The main bailey is now the site of a shrine and a communications array. I affected a short but steep climb to the site from Saifukuji, a temple at the foot of the castle mount.

There was an information board about the castle in the main bailey but it was heavily faded. Luckily someone has transcribed the text onto their blog page and I was able to find that online. The sign says there is a second bailey in addition to the first, but I couldn't find that; perhaps it is where the forestry road is today? I did identify a koshikuruwa (sub-bailey) skirting beneath the main bailey, however.




Gallery


Castle Profile
English Name Chikuma Uenoyama Castle
Japanese Name 筑摩上野山城
Founder Ogasawara Clan
Year Founded Sengoku Period
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Artifacts Kuruwa, Horikiri, Tatebori, Koshikuruwa, Daikan
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Shiojiri Station on the Chuo Main Line; 25 minute walk to Saifukuji Temple
Visitor Information 24/7 free; mountain / shrine
Time Required 30 minutes
Location Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 6' 6.08" N, 137° 57' 39.71" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2020
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


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