Difference between revisions of "Kirarazaka Castle"

Latest revision as of 14:48, 6 March 2022

History

There are few records about this castle, but it is considered to be a satellite fortification of Ichijojiyama Castle and directly across the valley from Matsugasaki Castle. It was likely built by the Asakura/Azai alliance for their attacks on Kyoto in 1570. Either this castle or Ichijojiyama Castle were likely used to launch attacks on northern Kyoto burning parts of modern day Matsugasaki, Shugakuin, and Ichijoji.

Visit Notes

Across the valley from Matsugakasaki Castle and along the Kirarazaka Hiking Trail to climb Mt. Hiei is a small castle ruin called Kirarazaka Castle. The center area of the castle is marked on some of the signs and maps for the Kirarazaka Trail so even people who are not particularly interested in castles drop by to see the site. I had a brief chat with one such hiker who borrowed my map of the castle but still could not see anything castle-like about it! There are a couple trenches and flattened areas that are obvious to castle fans and a small hillock that was the center of the castle. One side of the castle is a very steep ravine and the castle is designed with baileys ordered vertically along the trail up the mountain. It makes it particularly difficult for any attackers to assualt.

If you are particularly ambitious you could go from here all the way to the top of Mt. Hiei or possibly cross the mountain roughly along the same elevation to the main castle Ichijojiyama Castle .

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Gallery

Kirarazaka-joshi (きらら坂城跡)
Take the path to the right for Ichijoji-jo and eventually Shogunyama-jo
For in the road from the previous map, go right for Ichijoji-jo

Castle Profile
English Name	Kirarazaka Castle
Japanese Name	雲母坂城
Founder	Asakura/Azai
Year Founded	1570
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Shugakuin Sta. (Eizan Railway); 60 mins walk
Visitor Information	Mountain trails, open any time
Time Required	30 mins
Location	Kyoto, Kyoto
Coordinates	35° 3' 18.25" N, 135° 48' 37.12" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2022
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2021
Admin Visits	October 24, 2021
Friends of JCastle
Kojodan: Kirarazaka-jo

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Castle
 |English Name=Kirarazaka Castle
-|Japanese Name=修学院雲母坂城
+|Japanese Name=雲母坂城
 |Romaji Name=Shugakuinkirarazaka-jo
-|Founder=Asakura/Asai
+|Founder=Asakura/Azai
 |Year Founded=1570
 |Castle Type=Mountaintop
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 |Notes=Across the valley from Matsugakasaki Castle and along the Kirarazaka Hiking Trail to climb Mt. Hiei is a small castle ruin called Kirarazaka Castle. The center area of the castle is marked on some of the signs and maps for the Kirarazaka Trail so even people who are not particularly interested in castles drop by to see the site. I had a brief chat with one such hiker who borrowed my map of the castle but still could not see anything castle-like about it!  There are a couple trenches and flattened areas that are obvious to castle fans and a small hillock that was the center of the castle. One side of the castle is a very steep ravine and the castle is designed with baileys ordered vertically along the trail up the mountain. It makes it particularly difficult for any attackers to assualt.
-If you are particularly ambitious you could go from here all the way to the top of Mt. Hiei or possibly cross the mountain roughly along the same elevation to the main castle [[Ichijoji Enryakujiyama Castle]] .
+If you are particularly ambitious you could go from here all the way to the top of Mt. Hiei or possibly cross the mountain roughly along the same elevation to the main castle [[Ichijojiyama Castle]] .
-|History=There are few records about this castle, but given the position it was likely built by the Asakura and Asai for their assault on Kyoto in 1570. It is a satellite fortification of [[Ichijoji Enryakujiyama Castle]] and directly across the valley from [[Matsugasaki Castle (Yamashiro)|Matsugasaki Castle]].
+|History=There are few records about this castle, but it is considered to be a satellite fortification of [[Ichijojiyama Castle]] and directly across the valley from [[Matsugasaki Castle (Yamashiro)|Matsugasaki Castle]]. It was likely built by the Asakura/Azai alliance for their attacks on Kyoto in 1570. Either this castle or [[Ichijojiyama Castle]] were likely used to launch attacks on northern Kyoto burning parts of modern day Matsugasaki, Shugakuin, and Ichijoji.
 |Year Visited=2021
 |AddedJcastle=2022