Minowa Castle (Ina)

History

It is thought that Minowa Castle was first built around 1445 by Minowa Saemon as the base of the Minowa Clan. From 1533 Minowajō was a satellite castle of Fukuyo Castle, and the Minowa served its lord, Fujisawa Yorichika. In 1545, Fukuyojō was attacked by Takeda Shingen as part of his invasion of the Ina Valley. The siege of Fukuyojō followed the Takeda's capture of Takato Castle. Minowajō was also captured at this time and was used by the Takeda. Fujisawa was chased out of Ina by Takeda Shingen but, following a successful petition, was allowed to return to his former territory whereupon he built Ina Tanaka Castle in 1560, installing Minowa Muneharu as castellan. Following the destruction of the Takeda Clan in 1582, Fujisawa tried to recapture territory in Ina but was defeated by Hoshina Masanao, a vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Hoshina captured both Tanakajō and Minowajō. At that time Minowajō was controlled by Fujisawa's adopted son. With the capture of Minowajō the Minowa-Fujisawa Clan was wiped out. Minowajō was destroyed and not rebuilt.

Visit Notes

The ruins of Minowajō are quite well preserved and consist of earthworks such as trenches, ramparts and baileys. The castle's main bailey is now a cemetery. The castle is set upon a cliff. To the back there are dry moats and toward the cliff face these slope off into climbing moats. The main bailey is surrounded by dorui (earthen ramparts) which still rise about 4m tall. The ruins are a municipal-designated historical site.

Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Ina Minowa Castle
Japanese Name	伊那箕輪城
Founder	Minowa Saemon
Year Founded	1445
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Local Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Dorui, Karabori, Tatebori, Kuruwa
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Kinoshita Station on the Iida Line; 8 minute walk
Visitor Information	24/7 free; temple
Time Required	30 minutes
Location	Minowa, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 54' 2.66" N, 137° 58' 55.49" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

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