Houjiin Doi

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HoujiinDoi (1).JPG

History

Hōjiin was established in 1458 by Ômori Ujiyori, the Lord of Odawarajō. It was the seat of government of the Ômori Clan during this time, and the fortress was later used as a forward base to attack Fukazawajō in 1570. The fortified residence which takes its name from the temple is also thought to have belonged to the Kutsuma Clan in the Sengoku period; the castellan was Kutsuma Chikafusa. It's possible that the fort also became a satellite fortification of Fukazawajō, which from 1570 was alligned with the Takeda of Kai, before being destroyed along with that castle and Daiun'in-doi in 1582. The fort was rectangular in layout and measured 250m east-west and 150m north-south.

For more information see Fukazawa Castle and Daiun'in Doi.


Visit Notes

Hōjiin-doi is a fort site of which dorui (earthen ramparts) remain, mostly surrounding the temple of Hōjiin for which the site is named. The dorui is somewhat hidden by trees and plants but can be discerned running for some length beside the temple architecture. Beside the temple gate the embankments are thick, and this is likely a corner segment of dorui which perhaps hosted a turret or small tower of some kind. The obscure term 'doi' conjures up an image of piled earth surrounding a residence, or that of medieval defensive earthworks. There are several of these 'doi' throughout the area.

Even though I thought this site, on the edge of the settlement of Gotemba, was quite obscure, it has several ratings and reviews on Google Maps... ^^". One commentor says that there is a relocated gate (from where?). To me though the temple's main gate doesn't seem so aged, and so I think that 'local guide' may be confusing it for the nearby Daiun'in-doi which has a relocated gate - it is said - from Fukazawajō. The only architecture here is for the temple, though it does include a large main hall and belfry. The fort probably had a residence hall and maybe even a bell tower, but they probably looked quite different from what is on site now.




Gallery
  • Dorui


Castle Profile
English Name Houjiin Doi
Japanese Name 宝持院土居
Founder Ômori Ujiyori
Year Founded 1458
Castle Type Fortified Manor
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Artifacts Dorui
Features
Visitor Information
Access Gotemba Station on the Gotemba Line; 24 minute walk
Visitor Information 24/7 free; temple
Time Required 30 minutes
Website http://www.shizuhan.jp/Historic sites/gotennbashi/post 119.html
Location Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture
Coordinates 35° 18' 45.72" N, 138° 56' 42.65" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2022
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Oshiro Tabi Nikki
Jōkaku Hōrōki


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