Monjuyama Castle

History

Monjuyamajō was constructed by the Okudaira Clan in 1572. The Okudaira were entering into vassalhood under the Kai-Takeda at that time, and Monjuyamajō was to be built as a fortified watchtower to entrench Takeda power in the area along with Furumiyajō. It is said that when the Takeda grew weary of what they perceived as stalling tactics on the part of the Okudaira, they grew forceful in negotiations, and the Okudaira were compelled to build Monjuyamajō very quickly to prove their loyalty, lending the fort the moniker ‘one night castle’, as though it were built in a day or two. There is also a theory that some kind of watchtower was in place much earlier, and Monjuyamajō was ‘the eye of Kameyamajō’, the main base of the Okudaira. Either way it seems to have been expanded or re-fortified around the time that the Takeda expanded their power into Mikawa via Tsukude. Though it is interesting to note that nearby Sainokamijō appears to have been modified at a later date, suggesting that it may have played a more important role than Monjuyamajō during the Takeda era.

Visit Notes

Monjuyamajō is a yamajiro (mountaintop) castle site in Tsukude Village, Shinshiro Municipality. It has a reconstructed miyagura (watchtower) and a hammock, which are both highly appreciated. Although some parts have fallen down, there is also a loosely arranged palisade or babōsaku (cheval de frise) around parts of the ramparts. Other features include earthworks, such as dorui (earthen ramparts) and dry moats. The circular layout is essentially comprised of a large single bailey complex with a koshikuruwa (sub-bailey) wrapping around the central bailey below.

An octogenarian in the castle carpark gave me a pamphlet about castle ruins in the village. He said he was the lord of the castle. By which I took it to mean that he was the descendant of a castellan. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it’s nice of him to share his castle with everyone.

Gallery

Watchtower

Castle Profile
English Name	Monjuyama Castle
Japanese Name	文殊山城
Founder	Okudaira Clan
Year Founded	1572
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	No main keep but other buildings
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Miyagura, Obikuruwa, Hori, Kuruwa, Babōsaku, Kirigishi, &c.
Features	turrets, trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Route 301
Visitor Information	24/7 free; mountain
Time Required	40 minutes
Location	Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture
Coordinates	34° 58' 9.08" N, 137° 24' 54.58" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2023
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Oshiro Tabi Nikki
Jōkaku Hōrōki
Kojōdan
Shiseki Yawa
Jōkaku Shashin Kiroku
Kojō Seisuiki

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