Minamoto Yoshikiyo Yakata
History
Minamoto-Yoshikiyo-yakata was the fortified manor hall of Minamoto Yoshikiyo in Koma County, Kai Province, built around 1131. It's probable that this residence was built by the patriarch or his successors or family at some point after the Kai-Genji abandoned their residence in Ichikawa-Daimon, Yatsushiro County, which was inhabited only for a short time. Minamoto Yoshikiyo, son of Minamoto Yoriyoshi and brother of Minamoto Yoriie, took the name Takeda Yoshikiyo, founding the Takeda Clan in Kai (Kai-Takeda Clan, or Genji-Takeda Clan, or just 'the' Takeda Clan). The name of Takeda comes from the Takeda Estate in Hitachi Province which Minamoto Yoshikiyo originally lorded. After being defeated in battle over territorial disputes and exiled to Kai, he was initially based at Ichikawa Manor, but would expand and have various residences around Kai, including at the Tama Manor and Henmi Manor (he is also said to have been the original builder of Wakamiko Castle, but this is not certain). This yakata site is thought to have been another one of those residences. It may have been a sort of branch residence. Minamoto Yoshikiyo died in 1145.
Visit Notes
The site of Minamoto-Yoshikiyo-yakata today is now that of the Yoshikiyo-jinja, a shrine dedicated to Minamoto Yoshikiyo, the lord of the former manor. Located nearby is a small tumulus said to be the burial mound of Minamoto Yoshikiyo. In front of the shrine is a small moat-like body of water; it is tempting to imagine this oblong pond as the remnant of the moat of the manor hall. But has the moat really been here for nine hundred years? Perhaps it's a restoration from some time. Castle explorers also fancy the remains of dorui (earthen ramparts) surrounding the shrine.
Some resources refer to this site as a 'yashiki' rather than a 'yakata'. Now, there being sometimes very little difference between the two, I've preferenced 'yakata' here out of consideration of the time period and builder. Either is acceptable at any rate in this case. Also this is the second residence site of Minamoto Yoshikiyo I've visited in Kai. The other in the south of the Kai Basin is referred to as Kai Genji Yakata.
Castle Profile | |
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English Name | Minamoto Yoshikiyo Yakata |
Japanese Name | 源義清館 |
Alternate Names | 源義清屋敷 |
Founder | Minamoto Yoshikiyo |
Year Founded | 1131 |
Castle Type | Fortified Manor |
Castle Condition | Ruins only |
Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
Features | water moats |
Visitor Information | |
Access | Kokubo Station on the Minobu Line; 15 minute walk |
Visitor Information | 24/7 free; shrine |
Time Required | 20 minutes |
Location | Shōwa, Yamanashi Prefecture |
Coordinates | 35° 38' 5.14" N, 138° 32' 45.17" E |
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Admin | |
Added to Jcastle | 2022 |
Contributor | ART |
Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
Friends of JCastle | |
Oshiro Tabi Nikki | |
Jōkakuzukan |
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