Kami Castle (Suwa)

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Revision as of 23:58, 6 February 2020 by Eric (talk | contribs)

諏訪上城01横堀.JPG

History

Kaminojō was built as part of a complex of mountain fortresses which included Shimonojō and Hagikura-toride. Its origins are obscure but it may have been built by the Kanasashi Clan as part of their complicated and militarised relations with the Suwa shrine complexes. At some point Kaminojō was controlled by the Yamada Clan - it is said. When Takeda Shingen took over the territory he put his vassal Yokota Takatoshi in charge of Kaminojō.


Visit Notes

Kaminojō ("Upper Castle") is paired with Shimonojō ("Lower Castle"). The castle layout is simple and concentric, a yokobori (lateral trench) surrounding the shukuruwa (main bailey), in turn surrounded by an obikuruwa (ring bailey). It was interesting to see the defence of the castle so heavily relied on a yokobori without any tatebori (climbing trenches) or horikiri (trenches cut into the mountain ridge). There is a stone marker indicating the castle ruin, but I missed it at first because the shukuruwa is quite big.




Gallery


Castle Profile
English Name Suwa Kami Castle
Japanese Name 諏訪上城
Founder Kanasashi Clan
Year Founded Chuusei
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Shimo-Suwa Station on the Chuo Line; 55 minute walk
Visitor Information 24/7 free
Time Required 60 mins
Location Shimo-Suwa, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 5' 48.05" N, 138° 4' 38.32" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2020
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


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