Iwasaki Castle (Mutsu)
History
It is thought that Iwasaki Castle was built as a base by the Iwasaki Clan in the Namboku Period, possibly by Iwasaki Taisui. Iwasakijō was located at the boundary between the territories of the Oniyanagi ("Demon Willow") Clan and 須々孫 Clan. Serving the Waga Clan, these families along with the Iwasaki fought with the Semboku Oda Clan in 1531 and it is thought that the Iwasaki inhabited this site until at least around that time. In 1590 Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated the Waga and they were destroyed completely by the Nambu in 1592; however, there was an uprising by their followers in 1600 and at that time they holed themselves up at Iwasakijō. The Nambu suppressed the revolt and conquered Iwasakijō, thereafter using the castle to secure their border with Date Clan territory. Sometime during the Edo Period Iwasakijō was abandoned and left to ruin. Subsequently a large portion of the south of the castle was destroyed by flooding from a nearby river. A masugata koguchi (gate) ruin remains at the castle's third bailey, and then a bridge spans a dug-out leading to the honmaru (main bailey). Here a mogi-tenshu (mock keep) was built as an observation platform but in 2011 it was damaged in by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequently torn down. Now a bugaku stage stands in its place.
Visit Notes
There is a stage here used for performances. A castle-style observation platform used to stand here but it was demolished after being damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Iwasaki Castle (Mutsu) |
| Japanese Name | 陸奥岩崎城 |
| Founder | Iwasaki Clan |
| Year Founded | Nanboku Period |
| Castle Type | Hilltop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Baileys, Trenches, Gate Ruins |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Fujine Station on the Kitakami Line; 45 minute walk |
| Visitor Information | Free, 24/7 |
| Time Required | |
| Location | Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 39° 16' 50.70" N, 141° 2' 42.40" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2018 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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