Masugata Castle (Musashi)

History

According to the Shinpen Musashino Fudokikō (新編武蔵風土記稿), a late Edo Period document, Musashi-Masugatajō (also called 'Masugatayamajō') was founded by Inage Shigenari in service of the Kamakura Bakufu, although this might be hearsay. Whilst a castle is thought to have existed here for a long time, it is not clear to history from when. The first contemporaneous evidence of military activity in the area dates to Muromachi Period conflicts between the Ōgayastu-Uesugi Clan and the Yamanōchi-Uesugi Clan. Masugatayamajō is thought to have been a minor fortification maintained by the Hōjō Clan as they expanded their power in the region. It is not known how long it remained in use or when it was abandoned. The remains of the castle consist of baileys and some remnants of earthworks.

Visit Notes

I came to this castle because it is right next to the Nihon-Minaka'en, an outdoor museum with folk homes. The castle site is a flattened mountaintop with a reconstructed wall segment and kabukimon gate. There is a large viewing platform on site. I couldn't climb it because it was swarming with schoolchildren. They were like an army mustering at the castle. The castle site consisted of a main bailey and subsidiary bailey (with narrow obiguruwa attached) a little down the mountain.

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Gallery

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Castle Profile
English Name	Masugata Castle (Musashi)
Japanese Name	武蔵桝形城
Alternate Names	桝形山城
Founder	Inage Shigenori
Year Founded	Kamakura Period
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Baileys, Reconstructed Walls, Reconstructed Kabukimon, Castle-inspired Observation Platform, Earthworks
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Mukogaoka-yuen Station on the Odakyuu Odawara Line; 15 minutes walk
Visitor Information	Free, 24/7
Time Required	30 minutes
Location	Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 36' 40.03" N, 139° 33' 39.13" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2018
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

1.33

(3 votes)

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FurinkazanHatamoto

11 months ago

Score 0

Like ART, I visited this site, on 16/12/2022, only because it's next to the Nihon Minka-en. After checking the name of this castle, it should be Masugata castle. It is situated on Masugatayama, but the castle name doesn't have the -yama in it. So it appears on the site of Kawasaki city: https://www....0000109.html

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ARTShogun

11 months ago

Score 0

I switched the alternative and lead names, thanks!

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