Katsunumashi Yakata

History

There is evidence of a fortification on this site going back to the 1400's but the earliest records claim that it was the residence of Katsunuma Nobutomo, a brother to Takeda Nobutora. Nobutomo died in a battle with Hojo Ujitsuna in 1535 and his son Nobumoto succeeded him. There is some speculation whether Nobumoto became the new lord of Katsunuma or the nearby Imai clan did. Regardless, Nobumoto was killed by Takeda Shingen in 1560 on suspicions of inciting a rebellion.

Visit Notes

The castle ruins were discovered in 1973 when building the neighboring Prefectural Wine Center. Don't miss the ruins of the vassal's residence around the back side of the castle. While the castle is called a yakata (palace or residence) the large double embankment, deep moat and turrets show that it was as fortified as any castle at the time.

Katsunuma is very famous for grapes and wine. I went in early October towards the end of grape season and got the best grapes I've ever had from a simple roadside stand. You can get there by regular non-express train from Shinjuku in about 2 hours.
県立ワインセンターの建設時に発見した城跡です。すぐ近くの家臣屋敷跡も見逃さないでください。訪れたのは十月上旬で道端の売店で買ったバイオレットキングという新種のブドウが今まで食べた中で一番美味しいブドウでした。

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Gallery

Central bailey
Stone foundation of a bridge across the large trench
Stone foundation of a bridge across the large trench
Trench and stone foundation of a bridge
Large deep trench
Embankment and trench of the central bailey
Embankment and trench of the central bailey
Masugata style entrance
Embankment and trench
Earthen embankment
Entrance from the bridge
Entrance from the bridge
Yagura foundation at the entrance from the bridge
Embankment in the central bailey
water reservoir
Outlines of buildings in the central bailey
Central bailey
Large trench of the central bailey
maps of the site's evolution
Map
Waterway of the Outer Bailey
Waterways of the Outer Bailey
Large embankment of the outer bailey
Outer Bailey
Outer Bailey
Outlines of several buildings
Waterways of the Outer Bailey
Work areas
Waterways of the Outer Bailey
Entrance and waterways of the Outer Bailey
Illustration of the vassal's residence
Reconstructed Sengoku era building
Sengoku Period reconstructed building

Castle Profile
English Name	Katsunumashi Yakata
Japanese Name	勝沼氏館
Founder	Katsunuma Nobutomo
Year Founded	1400's
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Katsunuma Budokyo (Chuo Line), 30 min walk
Visitor Information	open anytime
Time Required	45 mins
Website	http://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/kankou/spot/p1 3763.html
Location	Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 39' 35.60" N, 138° 43' 54.26" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2017
Admin Year Visited	2017
Admin Visits	October 9, 2017

2.50

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ARTShogun

57 months ago

Score 1

Katsunuma-yakata joins the very few yakata (fortified manor houses) that people bother visiting; it even has its own wikipedia article, in English no less! Ashikaga-yakata would be another example. Stepping off the train at Katsunuma Town (or, as per the station name, "Katsunuma Grape Village") presents a promising spectacle. The whole area is an upland of clustering hills and rolling slopes, most of it covered in vinyards.

The ruins consist of the inner bailey which has high earthen ramparts surrounded by karabori (dry moats). Two entrances to the main enclosure are evident, one being a masugata (box-form) complex, and another which had a bridge over the moat. The ishigaki (stone-piled ramparts) used to support the bridge structure are a prominent feature. Inside the enclosure various buildings' footprints are shown with their function indicated. The lord's chambers were toward the corner - very snug. It is interesting to see the drains and ditches restored. These were indispensable to the conveniences of daily living and connected to kitchens. The inner enclosure is itself divided with small embankments. Latrines and guardhouses were located toward the outer bailey near the masugatamon.

Behind the main part of the yakata are ruins of an area which once contained the yashiki (residences) of the lord's retainers. There are trenches, a large dorui (earthen rampart) segment and a mock reconstructed yashiki here. The yashiki is a little disappointing because they decided to build it like it was some sort of gazebo? Basically it's too open to be a house and the original structure would've only had pokey little windows. But! They get points for workmanship on the roof, although the straw thatching now needs a little fix'er-upper.

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