Ryusenji Castle
History
Ryūsenjijō was built by Oda Nobuyuki, Oda Nobunaga’s brother, according to the Shinchōkōki (信長公記), in 1556. In 1557, Oda Nobuyuki conspired against Nobunaga with the rival Hayashi Clan and was killed at Kiyosujō for his efforts. Ryūsenjijō was abandoned upon the death of Oda Nobuyuki but was later used as a temporary fort throughout the remainder of the Sengoku Period. In the Edo Period, although the castle was now gone, the temple of Ryūsenji, which had anyway existed before (and probably alongside) the fort, was the Kimon-yoke of Nagoyajō. According to tradition and the principles of Fūsui (Fēngshuǐ), the north eastern direction is inauspicious, known as the Demon Gate, through which ill-fortune cometh. Ryūsenji therefore played an important spiritual role in protecting Nagoyajō from ill-fortune, purifying the space that demons would’ve otherwise been able to enter through. In 1964 a mock keep was built, housing and displaying the temple’s treasures.
Visit Notes
Dragon Spring Temple Castle. Ryūsenji is a temple related to castles in two main ways. Firstly, it is itself a former castle site. Secondly, the temple is located in an auspicious location in respect to Nagoya Castle, protecting it from ill-harm, metaphysically, as it was an official guardian temple of the castle, being located to its northeast. For this reason a faux tenshu was built in the temple’s garden. It looks sort of like a mini version of Nagoyajō. The structure also sees utility as the temple’s museum, displaying various artefacts. I also think that this mogi-tenshu is somewhat special in that it was built by a temple, and it is decorated with Buddhist motifs, such as the dharma wheel displayed on the roof tiles. The same roof tiles on the tenshu are used around the temple, including on a house opposite the parking area, and so I took that to be perhaps the priest’s house. According to Wikipedia there are remains of a karabori (dry moat) on site, but I didn’t see where. The temple is located on a hill with a sweeping view over nearby plains, and so would’ve been an ideal location for a fort. By the way, having previously saw Komakijō from the miyagura at Oguchijō, I was amused to see it again from the lookout at Ryūsenji. Komakijō seems to be visible from many places if you look to the distance.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Ryusenji Castle |
| Japanese Name | 龍泉寺城 |
| Founder | Oda Nobuyuki |
| Year Founded | 1556 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Reconstructed main keep |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Main Keep Structure | 3 tiers, 3 floors |
| Year Reconstructed | 1964 |
| Artifacts | mogi-tenshu, karabori |
| Features | main keep, trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Obata Ryukochi Station on the Yurito Line (Guided Busway) |
| Visitor Information | Only open sundays and holidays from 9am to 3pm |
| Time Required | one hour |
| Website | http://www.ryusenji.com |
| Location | Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35° 13' 25.14" N, 136° 59' 3.66" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2019 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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