Minami Majino Castle

History

Minami-Majino was constructed by the Yajima Clan, vassals of Suwa Yorishige. The Majino area grants access to a pass leading to the territory of the Takatô Clan who had sided with Takeda Shingen, so a strong fort was needed their to protect Suwa's flank. In 1542 Suwa Yorishige was defeated and was taken down to Kai where he was compelled to commit suicide some time later.

Following the rise of Suwa Mitsuchika under Takeda Shingen, Minami-Majinojō may have acted as the fortified redoubt for Mitsuchika's residence which was located at the foot of the mountain.

Visit Notes

Getting to the ruins of Minami-Majinojō ('South Majino Castle') was no mean feat. I had to do some free climbing without using trails. It's actually the second highest situated castle site in Suwa County. Eventually I was rewarded with the evident ruins of the castle's shukuruwa (main bailey), topped with dorui (earthen ramparts) and protected in the rear by a large karabori (dry moat). I descended via the castle's sub-baileys which terraced the mountain ridge. The mountain itself also had some interesting features like large, sacred boulders and old stone-pilings at the base which I supposed might be from the later Edo Period (after the castle's time).

Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Minami Majino Castle
Japanese Name	南真志野城
Founder	Yajima Clan
Year Founded	1542
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Dorui, Karabori, Koshikuruwa, Kuruwa
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Nearest station is Kami-Suwa Staiton on the Chūō Main Line
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	50 minutes
Location	Suwa, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 0' 21.85" N, 138° 5' 24.11" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
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