Meiseireijin Fort
History
Meiseireijin-toride was likely built as a branch fortification of Karasaki Castle on the way to Teshiro Castle, but its exact history is unclear. The name suggests a religious function so perhaps it was also used as a place to consecrate the ridge and castle mount? But that may have been ancillary or subsequnt to its military function.
Visit Notes
When I arrived at the ruins of Meiseireijin-toride, I thought I had already come across Karasakijō, which is where I was heading. I couldn't mistake earthworks as anything other than castle-related. I checked my positioning and saw that I still had a little way to go before reaching Karasakijō, however. It was only later that I was able to identify this site as the ruins of a small fort called Meiseireijin-toride. The toride consists of a central bailey with a lower sub-bailey and a rear dorui (earthen rampart) segement, now lined with hokora (mini-shrines). Beyond the dorui is a sizable trench complex with a deep horikiri (trench) and tatebori (climbing moats) on both sides.
Castle Profile | |
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English Name | Meiseireijin Fort |
Japanese Name | 明聖霊神砦 |
Founder | ??? |
Year Founded | Sengoku Period |
Castle Type | Mountaintop |
Castle Condition | Ruins only |
Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
Artifacts | Horikiri, Tatebori, Kuruwa, Dorui, Koshikuruwa |
Features | trenches |
Visitor Information | |
Access | Hiking trail via Karasaki Castle |
Visitor Information | Free; 24/7; Mountain |
Time Required | 20 minutes |
Location | Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture |
Coordinates | 36° 32' 53.59" N, 138° 9' 37.04" E |
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Admin | |
Added to Jcastle | 2020 |
Contributor | ART |
Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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