Kunohe Castle

History

Kunohe Castle was built by Kunohe Mitsumasa from 1492-1501. It deflty makes use of three rivers to enhance it's defenses. The Kunohe actually originated from a branch of the Nanbu family which is why their family crest is the same. In 1590, after the fall of Odawara, Hideyoshi shifted his attentions to pacifying the Tohoku region. Nanbu Nobunao who participated in the Siege of Odawara for Hideyoshi was guaranteed that he would retain his own lands and have command of the area. Kunohe Masazane, himself a a renowned warlord, did not agree with this and rebelled against the Nanbu.

Nanbu Nobunao requested assistance from Hideyoshi to put down the revolt and with a combined 60,000 soldiers they circled the castle laying siege to it for 4 days. Masazane was tricked into surrendering by the family priest who was told that all their lives would be spared. When they opened the gates, the Nanbu forces swept in and killed all 5000 people including women and children. Excavations in 2009 found bone fragments from women and children giving evidence to this story.

After the rebellion, Gamo Ujisato renovated the castle but it was later transferred to Nanbu Nobunao. Nobunao abandoned the castle when he moved to Morioka Castle.

Visit Notes

This was just a quick stop on my way to Morioka. The castle ruins are well defined and there are good signs explaining parts of the castle.

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Gallery

honmaru moat
honmaru moat
Bridge over the honmaru moat.
Ottemon gate ruins
earthen embankment
stone wall ruins
honmaru gate ruins
honmaru moat
Ninomaru bailey
dry moat between the Ninomaru and Ishizawadate baileys
dry moat between the Ninomaru and ishizawadate baileys
A view of the town from the honmaru bailey.
map

Castle Profile
English Name	Kunohe Castle
Japanese Name	九戸城
Alternate Names	Fukuoka-jo
Founder	Kunohe Mitsumasa
Year Founded	1492
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Next 100 Castles, Top 100 Mountaintop Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Ninohe Sta. (Tohoku Main line), 1000 yen taxi
Visitor Information
Time Required
Website	http://www.city.ninohe.iwate.jp/kanko/kunohecst/kunohecst.html
Location	Ninohe, Iwate Prefecture
Coordinates	40° 16' 1.16" N, 141° 18' 13.18" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2010
Admin Year Visited	2010
Admin Visits	May 22, 2010