Fukushima Castle (Echigo)

From Jcastle.info

Echigofukushima1.jpg

History

Echigo-Fukushimajō was built in 1607 by Hori Hideharu to replace Kasugayama Castle. Its history is brief, existing until 1614 between the rule of the area from the Sengoku Period yamajiro (mountaintop castle) Kasugayamajō to the rule in the Edo Period from Takada Castle, a hirajiro (plainsland castle) like Fukushimajō. Fukushimajō was ruled by Hori Hideharu and his eldest son, Tadayoshi, and was the headquarters of the Echigo-Fukushima Domain.

The area was given to Matsudaira Tadateru, the 6th son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, in 1614. He relocated his base inland and, with the assistance of 13 other lords by order of the Shōgun, built Takadajō, replacing Fukushimajō. It is thought that the change in location came about because Fukushimajō was prone to flooding from the egress of the Seki River, although it is also said that Tadateru relocated inland because he couldn't sleep with the sound of the waves at night. Excavation work at the end of the last millennium unearthed the remains of Ishigaki (stone ramparts). Today the site is only noteworthy as forming a triumvirate of consecutive local castle sites along with Kasugayamajō and Takadajō.


Visit Notes

A small site with nothing but an information board and a few stone markers, Echigo-Fukushimajō is now the site of a school. I came to see it because I had time at the end of the day and enough daylight owing to it being the middle of summer. It is part of the historical narrative of the area. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered and I don't recommend it unless you're a hardcore castle explorer with time to spare in the area.


Loading map...


Gallery
  • Castle stele; ishigaki is not original
  • Speculative reconstruction of the site as it originally stood


Castle Profile
English Name Fukushima Castle (Echigo)
Japanese Name 越後福嶋城
Founder Hori Hideharu
Year Founded 1607
Castle Type Flatland
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access Naoetsu Station on the Shin'etsu Main Line; 30-40 minute walk
Visitor Information
Time Required 10 minutes
Location Jōetsu, Niigata Prefecture
Coordinates 37° 10' 53.33" N, 138° 15' 19.30" E
Loading map...
Admin
Added to Jcastle 2017
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


1.00
(2 votes)
Add your comment
Jcastle.info welcomes all comments. If you do not want to be anonymous, register or log in. It is free.