Kitsune Castle (Azumi)
History
Kitsunejō was a small fort with a main bailey measuring about 20m in width and 40m in length along the terminus of a small hill projecting out near to the bank of the Sai River. Its position next to the river made it ideal as a look-out and fortification with which to guard the area. Dorui (earthen embankments) were heaped up along the main baileys northern and eastern perimeter, which gave it extra cover when looking north. I believe then that this fort may have been used by the Tōhara Clan located to the south, but the castle's origins and owners are unknown. The castle may have had a second, outer bailey, protected by a dry moat. It has since been developed over with housing.
Visit Notes
There is a hill which juts out toward the Sai River. This was an ideal place for a fort, I've no doubt, though I could identify no ruins here, as the site has now been developed with houses, and ruins which remain are on private property and cannot be accessed. There were lots of persimmon trees here though, which I appreciated.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Azumi Kitsune Castle |
| Japanese Name | Azumi Kitsune Castle |
| Founder | Shiokawahara Clan (Legend) |
| Year Founded | Sengoku Period |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui, Karabori, Kuruwa |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Akashina Station on the Shinonoi Line; 20 minute walk |
| Visitor Information | Access Restricted |
| Time Required | 20 minutes |
| Location | Azumino, Nagano Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 36° 22' 5.34" N, 137° 55' 40.33" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2020 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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