Hitomoshi Castle (Saku)

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SakuHitomoshijou (1).JPG

History

Hitomoshijō was a branch fort constructed by Aiki Tokie, lord of Aikijō. It was a small fort principally used as a noroshidai, or signal tower. Aiki Tokie initially resisted but would later pledge allegiance to Takeda Shingen. He fought for Takeda Shingen at the siege of Taketenjinjō, and later became lord of Taguchijō. Hitomoshijō was incorporated into the noroshidai network used by the Takeda Clan throughout Saku. The name 'Hitomoshi' simply means 'Firelight'.


Visit Notes

Hitomoshijō, the third stop on my miyagura tour in Saku, is a fortified beacon site overlooking the beautiful Omika Falls. We appreciated the natural beauty cascading and flowing about us before making the steep ascent onto the hill above where there is a reconstructed miyagura. There are two ridge spurs beneath the main bailey where the yagura is situated, and these seem to have been used as part of the fort. Both spurs end in cliffs, with the lower spur overlooking the falls, which, though pretty, would be death to plunge into. In this way the fort space is naturally easy to defend and cuts a very impressive profile with its sheer, watery drops. To the rear of the bailey-keep are horikiri, trenches cut into the ridge to protect the mountainside flank of the earthen fort.


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Gallery
  • Reconstructed Miyagura (Watchtower)


Castle Profile
English Name Hitomoshi Castle (Saku)
Japanese Name 佐久火燈城
Founder Aiki Tokie
Year Founded Sengoku Period
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition No main keep but other buildings
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Artifacts Miyagura, Horikiri, Dorui, Kuruwa
Features turrets, trenches
Visitor Information
Access Trail begins from Omika Falls; the nearest station is Saku-Uminokuchi on the Kōmi Line
Visitor Information 24/7 free; mountain
Time Required 50 minutes
Location Minami-Aiki, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 2' 24.47" N, 138° 32' 23.78" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2021
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Yogo
Ranmaru


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