Minamoto no Tsunemoto Yakata

From Jcastle.info

MinamotoTsunemoto3.jpg

History

Local legends say that this was the fortified residence or castle of Minamoto no Tsunemoto (late 10th C.) which would potentially make this the oldest castle in Saitama. There's no real evidence linking it to the Heian Period, but it was certainly in use in the Sengoku Period as a fortified encampment. The castle may also have been a castle of the Mita Clan who ruled the area and had their own yakata (Fortified Manor) about 3.5km to the northwest of here. 5km kilometers across the river you'll also find Matsuyama Castle. It is thought that the site was also used by the forces of Uesugi Kenshin in the attack on Matsuyama Castle before the Siege of Odawara in 1590.


Visit Notes

This castle is basically a simple single bailey castle with trenches around the outside and an earthen embankment on the inside. It's small, but definitely worth the 10+ min walk from the station. The site is very well preserved and well signposted.

As with many small castles from the Sengoku Period or earlier, the early history of this castle is a mystery. Google Maps and the signs on the site call it "Minamoto no Tsunemoto Yakata" so I'm using that as the main name here. It is also listed as such on most of my other materials and books. One book, however, uses Mita Castle preferring this theory over others.


Loading map...


Gallery


Castle Profile
English Name Minamoto no Tsunemoto Yakata
Japanese Name 源経基館跡
Alternate Names Mita-jo
Founder Minamoto no Tsunemoto?
Year Founded Heian Period?
Castle Type Fortified Manor
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Konosu Sta (Ueno Tokyo Line); 12 mins walk
Visitor Information park, open 24/7
Time Required 20 mins
Website http://www.city.kounosu.saitama.jp/kosodate/rekishi/1455525774606.html
Location Konosu, Saitama Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 3' 30.92" N, 139° 30' 1.51" E
Loading map...
Admin
Added to Jcastle 2020
Contributor Eric
Admin Year Visited 2020
Admin Visits January 19, 2020
Friends of JCastle
Shirobito - Minamoto Tsunemoto Yakata
Jokaku Horoki - Minamoto Tsunemoto Yakata


1.00
(one vote)
Add your comment
Jcastle.info welcomes all comments. If you do not want to be anonymous, register or log in. It is free.