Difference between revisions of "Obaraichiba Castle"

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Another interesting point about Obara’s Ichiba Castle is its design. Covering around 200 square meters, the various baileys, or kuruwa, (also known as Maru) are larger than the average medieval mountain castle, and form a horse-shoe shape. The main Honmaru bailey is around 100m long north to south, and shaped a bit like an elongated gourd. The Ni-no-maru and San-no-maru ridges protrude from the northern and the southern sections of the central bailey. In the middle of this horse shoe shape, and protected on three sides by the various kuruwa is a small valley-like section known as the Sanza-batake, believed to be the main living quarters of important retainers.
 
Another interesting point about Obara’s Ichiba Castle is its design. Covering around 200 square meters, the various baileys, or kuruwa, (also known as Maru) are larger than the average medieval mountain castle, and form a horse-shoe shape. The main Honmaru bailey is around 100m long north to south, and shaped a bit like an elongated gourd. The Ni-no-maru and San-no-maru ridges protrude from the northern and the southern sections of the central bailey. In the middle of this horse shoe shape, and protected on three sides by the various kuruwa is a small valley-like section known as the Sanza-batake, believed to be the main living quarters of important retainers.
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Profile by Chris Glenn (edited by ART).
 
|History=Obara Ichiba Castle, An Old Style Castle With New Innovations
 
|History=Obara Ichiba Castle, An Old Style Castle With New Innovations
  

Latest revision as of 11:00, 21 August 2022

ObaraichibajouChris (20).jpg

History

Obara Ichiba Castle, An Old Style Castle With New Innovations

Ichiba Castle in Obara, now part of the ever expanding Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture, was built around 1502 by the Suzuki clan, retainers of the Suzuki of Asuke Castle, to guard the border between Mikawa (Eastern Aichi Pref.) and Mino (Gifu Pref.). The Suzuki clan lived at, and governed the region from Ichiba for around 90 years, and originally may have been under the control of the Imagawa clan until the rise of Ieyasu when they joined the Tokugawa. Ichiba was protected by 11 smaller castles surrounding this main castle.

In the mid 1580’s Ichiba was upgraded using the latest castle technology. Dry stone wall, or ishigaki were set in the southern sections and masugata gates, also known as Death Boxes, were developed, further strengthening the castle. This created a fascinating juxtaposition of elements of both the old style mountain castle, and the first signs of Kinsei, or early modern 17th century castle features. The ishigaki consisted of Nozura Zumi construction methods, with old style corner construction. Although it looks shoddy and rough, this sort of dry stone wall was among the most stable and easily constructed walls.

In 1590, Ieyasu accepted the Kanto region as his domain as offered by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and transferred his operations there. However, Suzuki Shigeyoshi, master of Obara refused to make the move, choosing to remain in their territory. For this refusal, he was dismissed from service, and expelled from the lands. Shigeyoshi is said to have then traveled around the country, eventually dying broke and alone.


Visit Notes

The northwestern slope of Ichiba Castle has four or five rows of tatebori. dry moats carved vertically into the hillside. These numerous defensive tatebori were often used in Takeda clan castles, and rows of tatebori like this can only be found in Aichi at Ichiba Castle.

There are other tatebori along various slopes around the castle, and another impressive feature from older style castle, a deep horikiri, being a dry moat carved between a slope to prevent access. This horikiri is still in good condition. Most horikiri were a deep and had a distinct V shape, making it easy to slip into, difficult to walk along, and hard to climb out. You still see them in old mountain castle sites, but over the years, they have been have filled with debris, and so you don’t get to see how deep, and how very V shaped they were.

Another interesting point about Obara’s Ichiba Castle is its design. Covering around 200 square meters, the various baileys, or kuruwa, (also known as Maru) are larger than the average medieval mountain castle, and form a horse-shoe shape. The main Honmaru bailey is around 100m long north to south, and shaped a bit like an elongated gourd. The Ni-no-maru and San-no-maru ridges protrude from the northern and the southern sections of the central bailey. In the middle of this horse shoe shape, and protected on three sides by the various kuruwa is a small valley-like section known as the Sanza-batake, believed to be the main living quarters of important retainers.

Profile by Chris Glenn (edited by ART).




Gallery
  • Well protected entrance to Obara Ichiba Castle. The entrance is flanked by the Ni-no-maru to the immediate left overlooking the enterance, and a long wide peninsula-like dorui to the immediate right. Straight ahead is the Honmaru ishigaki.
  • Outer edges of the Honmaru (left) with dorui atop ishigaki walls.
  • Rows of tatebori, vertical moats. Still quite well defined despite the years.
  • Honmaru ishigaki seen from the edge of the Ni-no-Maru
  • Ishigaki retaining walls and kirigishi cut mountain sides below the Honmaru.
  • Wide horikiri trench beloww the Honmaru bailey.
  • Kirigishi below the main bailey. The mountain side was shaved to create a steeper angle of slope, preventing infiltration.
  • Deep, well defined V-shaped horikiri protective trench
  • Super kirigishi. a hand carved, angled cliff face below the Honmaru compound.
  • Dorui wall. Note the steep angles of the Honmaru.


Castle Profile
English Name Obaraichiba Castle
Japanese Name 小原市場城
Alternate Names Ichibajō; Mikawa-Ichibajō
Founder Suzuki Clan
Year Founded 1502
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Local Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features stone walls
Visitor Information
Access
Visitor Information
Time Required
Location Toyota, Aichi Prefecture
Coordinates 35° 13' 41.56" N, 137° 17' 43.94" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2022
Contributor 豪谷
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


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