Suzuryuyama Fort

History

In the power vacuum that opened up after the fall of the Takeda Clan, the Uesugi Clan and Ogasawara Clan fought for control of this valley, and Suzuryūyama-toride likely played a part in that conflict, the Tenshōjingo War, likely on the side of the Uesugi to protect their supply line leading from the Kawanakajima area. There is also local lore pertaining to the site, and it holds that it was built by one of "the seven knights of Asaka", who may have been a vassal of the Andō Clan if it were they who built Asakajō. At anyrate Suzuryūyama-toride did indeed likely function as a branch fortification of Asakajō. Asakajō rebelled against Aoyagijō to side with the Uesugi against the Ogasawara in 1583. The whole area had been conquered by Takeda Shingen sometime before, and then, after the demise of he and his progeny, the resurgent Ogasawara Clan. These fortified hilltops, Suzuryūyama-toride being one, were likely subjected to a cycle of occupation and rebuilding under various overlords during the turbulent Sengoku period.

Visit Notes

There are many stone blocks strewn about the ruins of Kuzuryūyama-toride, but these are the result of stone quarrying in later times. One quarry eats into the ridge and looks almost like a trench cutting for a castle! The main bailey of the fort was also quarried into, and so its original contours have been obscurred. Even at a minor site like this we can see various historical layers, and it seems burial mounds were also built on the mountain ridge.

Gallery

Lower bailey

Castle Profile
English Name	Suzuryuuyama Fort
Japanese Name	硯龍山砦
Founder	Andō Clan
Year Founded	Sengoku Period
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Kamuriki Station on the Shinonoi Line; 15 minute walk to trailhead
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	60 minutes
Location	Chikuhoku, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 26' 47.22" N, 138° 4' 41.45" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2021
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
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