Futsukamachi Castle

History

Futsukamachijō was first built in the middle 14th century by Azuma Masayuki to protect his territory from the nearby Washimi Clan. Futsukamachijō was a satellite fortification of Shinowakijō, and was probably expanded over time. The castle was destroyed or abandoned following the destruction of the Azuma Clan in 1559.

Visit Notes

Futsukamachijō is a yamajiro (mountaintop castle) ruin in Shirotori Township, Gujō Municipality. It features earthworks such as embankments and trenches. The layout is of a single bailey complex with the main bailey space surrounded by an obikuruwa (ring bailey) terrace beneath. There are horikiri (trenches) to the front and rear. Much of the south-facing slope of the mountaintop features seemingly endless rows of tatebori (climbing trenches), giving the mountainside an undulating terrain. These trenches were used to stop enemies from moving laterally along the slope beneath the fort. When combined together, these trenches are known as unejōtatebori, an interesting feature. I haven't seen so many tatebori before in a row; there must be about twenty trenches arrayed.

I have a bit of a war story for this castle visit. Whilst making my way along the terrace above the rows of trenches I noticed an animal ahead of me. It was a kamoshika (serow). Even though I got quite close the animal didn't budge, which is typical behaviour for this creature. Though normally they do run away when one gets close enough. However, I saw that this specimen had unhealthy looking fur, and I worried it might have mange. Mangy animals sometimes approach close to humans in their madness. I didn't want it near me, but it was blocking my way, so I threw a rock at it. I wasn't aiming at it exactly, but in its general direction, and the first rock I threw bounced on the ground before the beast and then sailed past, missing it only by about a half foot. But the kamoshika didn't abandon its post. I was forced to throw a second rock, cricket-style, this time striking it on the hindleg. It bleated and ran off. And so it was, reminded that medieval samurai often fought by throwing rocks, that I had to fight and vanquish the guardian of this castle.

There is a mogi tenshu (faux reconstructed castle tower) associated with this site. It is located much further down the mountain. I tried to visit but it was on private property and not open to the public, though it apparently has been in the past. This mysterious mogi, modelled on the keep at Maruokajō, I could only glimpse from below - and from above at the castle ruins. The site of the mogi was formerly that of a temple called Kongōji. The name 'Ônishijō' comes from the mogi, as it was named for local philanthropist Ônishi Akimori, and is also the name of the company which built the mogi. As a result, Futsukamachijō is also sometimes called Ônishijō, but this is a modern appellation.

Speaking of anachronisms, two large hinoki (cypress) trees grow at the end of the castle's bailey - where there are also several markers for the castle site. They overlook the rear entrance of the medieval fort. These are known as 'hitobashira no hinoki'. 'Hitobashira' means 'human pillar' and refers to the legends of people buried alive in castle walls to placate malicious gods preventing the castle from being constructed. Many castles have these legends, so that we might assume it was a widespread practice. But in fact there is no evidence that the practice actually took place at castles, and no remains of such human sacrifices have been unearthed (recently somebody came forward saying that they discovered hitobashira remains at Hiji Castle in 1960 but this is based on a drawing of what was found, not the artifacts themselves). The legend is particularly laughable at Futsukamachijō because this fort was built from earthworks and there is no indication that stone-piled retaining walls were ever erected here.

Gallery

Rows of climbing trenches

Castle Profile
English Name	Futsukamachi Castle
Japanese Name	二日町城
Alternate Names	Ônishijō (大西城)
Founder	Azuma Masayuki
Year Founded	Mid' 14th Century
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Tatebori, Horikiri, Kuruwa, &c.
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Shirotori-kōgen or Mino-Shirotori stations on the Nagaragawa Line; 40 minute walk/hike
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	60 minutes
Location	Gujō, Gifu Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 53' 40.88" N, 136° 50' 52.40" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2024
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Jōkaku Hōrōki
Umoreta Kojō
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