Minamoto no Tsunemoto Yakata

History

Local legends say that this was the fortified residence or castle of Minamoto no Tsunemoto (late 10th C.) which would potentially make this the oldest castle in Saitama. There's no real evidence linking it to the Heian Period, but it was certainly in use in the Sengoku Period as a fortified encampment. The castle may also have been a castle of the Mita Clan who ruled the area and had their own yakata (Fortified Manor) about 3.5km to the northwest of here. 5km kilometers across the river you'll also find Matsuyama Castle. It is thought that the site was also used by the forces of Uesugi Kenshin in the attack on Matsuyama Castle before the Siege of Odawara in 1590.

Visit Notes

This castle is basically a simple single bailey castle with trenches around the outside and an earthen embankment on the inside. It's small, but definitely worth the 10+ min walk from the station. The site is very well preserved and well signposted.

As with many small castles from the Sengoku Period or earlier, the early history of this castle is a mystery. Google Maps and the signs on the site call it "Minamoto no Tsunemoto Yakata" so I'm using that as the main name here. It is also listed as such on most of my other materials and books. One book, however, uses Mita Castle preferring this theory over others.

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Castle Profile
English Name	Minamoto no Tsunemoto Yakata
Japanese Name	源経基館跡
Alternate Names	Mita-jo
Founder	Minamoto no Tsunemoto?
Year Founded	Heian Period?
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	Prefectural Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Konosu Sta (Ueno Tokyo Line); 12 mins walk
Visitor Information	park, open 24/7
Time Required	20 mins
Website	http://www.city.kounosu.saitama.jp/kosodate/rekishi/1455525774606.html
Location	Konosu, Saitama Prefecture
Coordinates	36° 3' 30.92" N, 139° 30' 1.51" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2020
Admin Visits	January 19, 2020
Friends of JCastle
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