Tonojima Castle

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Revision as of 22:32, 27 June 2020 by Eric (talk | contribs)

Tonojimajou (3).JPG

History

Inabe Shigeyoshi was the lord of Ina Kasuga Castle and his first son inherited that position. His second son, Shigekuni, however, established the Tonojima branch and built Tonojima Castle (the main Inabe line became the Kasuga Clan). In 1545 Takeda Shingen invaded Ina and the Tonojima Clan submitted to his rule at first but later joined Inabe Shigechika in rebellion; they were executed and Tonojimajō came under the dominion of the Takeda Clan. In 1582 Oda Nobunaga invaded Ina and Tonojimajō fell to his armies as part of a wider attack on Takato Castle.


Visit Notes

The ruins of Tonojima Castle are now a park. Features include tall dorui (earth-piled ramparts) and karabori (dry moats), which eventually slope off down the cliffside which the castle was built upon. From pictures I'd seen online it looked like a gatehouse had been reconstructed but actually it's more like an entranceway with the name of the castle atop in the vague shape of a yaguramon; it doesn't even have any windows! So that's unfortunate and I won't count it as part of the castle's assets. When I came some young teens were playing a game with - I think - airsoft guns, and they wore goggles and black gear. I could detect one hiding behind the gate and I knew he'd heard me approach; he nearly mistook me for one of his friends but luckily I know the Japanese for "don't shoot". Since the castle's shukuruwa (main bailey) was the boys' arena, they called a ceasefire whilst I plodded around. I felt kind of bad for them so I stuck to the ramparts and then descended into the trenches to inspect the earthworks from below - so that the boys could merrily shoot each other again. Nice to see kids playing outside.




Gallery


Castle Profile
English Name Tonojima Castle
Japanese Name 殿島城
Alternate Names 本城
Founder Inabe Shigekuni
Year Founded Sengoku Period
Castle Type Hilltop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Artifacts Dorui, Karabori, Kuruwa
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Sawando Station on the Iida Line; 35 minute walk
Visitor Information 24/7 free; park
Time Required 60 minutes
Location Ina, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 35° 48' 19.30" N, 137° 57' 42.05" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2020
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


3.00
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