Horiuchi Castle (Mikawa)
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History
Horiuchijō was the fortified medieval residence of one Hori Kosaburō. Now, was the castle called 'Horiuchi', meaning 'Within the Moat', because the Hori Clan were also known as the Horiuchi, or because their compound was surrounded by a particularly impressive moat? Perhaps both. By the way, clan names are drawn from places, rather than vice-versa, which I know many newer fans to Japanese history wonder about. So if the clan name is drawn from the place, and the place name is derived from the fort, did a nameless clan in the brutal times of war and opportunity become known as the Horiuchi after building their fort? That's one way to solidify one's samurai status, I suppose. All that would be needed then would be to fabricate a lineage...
'Kosaburō ("Little Third Son")' does not sound like a formal bushi name. This all gives the impression of a quite minor clan, but somewhat interesting to me for that reason.
The fortified residence was surrounded by moats which ran in rectangular fashion with sides in length of about 32m east-west and 45m north-south, making Horiuchijō quite modest even by the standards of a minor manor hall. The locale (koaza) to this day is known as 'Yashiki', referring to the medieval residence which used to stand here.
The area was later host to a daikansho of a hatamoto (bannerman) called Honda Tadasuke in the Edo period.
Visit Notes
Horiuchijō is a former fortified residence site in the Horiuchi Township of Anjō Municipality; no ruins remain and the site is now housing.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Horiuchi Castle (Mikawa) |
| Japanese Name | 三河堀内城 |
| Founder | Hori Kosaburō |
| Year Founded | Unknown |
| Castle Type | Fortified Manor |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Edo Period |
| Features | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Horiuchi-Kōen Station on the Meitetsu-Nishio Line; 2 minute walk |
| Visitor Information | Access Limited |
| Time Required | 10 minutes |
| Location | Anjō, Aichi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34° 55' 32.63" N, 137° 5' 24.94" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2023 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Shashin Kiroku | |
| Umoreta Kojō | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
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