Ohkusa Castle (Mikawa)
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History
Ôkusajō was the fortified residence of the Saigō Clan, constructed by Saigō Tsugiyori in middle Muromachi period (circa 1430s). Tsugiyori expanded from Ôkusajō and built Myōdaijijō (Myodaiji Castle), and then began spreading his territory southward. At this time, Shōrakuji was established as the clan's bodaiji (ancestral temple) at Ôkusajō. Upon clashing with the Matsudaira Clan, Tsugiyori constructed Ryūtōzanjō (Okazaki Castle) in 1455. The clan was ambitious, originally being the dominant force in Mikawa, but, during the reign of Saigō Yoritsugu, was quelled by the Matsudaira Clan in the late 15th century, losing a pivotal battle at Anshōjō (Ansho Castle); Yoritsugu was compelled to adopt Matsudaira Nobumitsu's son, Mitsushige, as his own heir. Matsudaira Mitsushige founded the Ôkusa branch (initially called the Okazaki branch) of the Matsudaira Clan. In the early 16th century, Matsudaira Nobusada fought with Matsudaira Kiyoyasu for dominance - losing, and falling back to Ôkusajō. The Ôkusa branch was thereafter subordinate to the main branch which gave rise to Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1563, however, under Ôkusa Masahisa, Ôkusajō was used in support of the rebels during the Mikawa-Ikkō-Ikki uprising, and was thereafter abandoned after the rebellion failed.
Visit Notes
Ôkusajō is a fortified residence site in the Ôkusa area of Kōta Township, Nukata County. No ruins remain and the site is now a temple, Shōrakuji, which is the ancestral temple of the Saigō Clan which originally built the castle.
Note: this is Ôkusajō in Mikawa Province, not to be confused with the several sites of the same name throughout Owari Province (also part of Aichi Prefecture).
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Ohkusa Castle (Mikawa) |
| Japanese Name | 三河大草城 |
| Founder | Saigō Tsugiyori |
| Year Founded | 1430s |
| Castle Type | Fortified Manor |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Features | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Aimi Station on the Tōkaidō Main Line; 30 minute walk to Shōrakuji |
| Visitor Information | 24/7 free; temple |
| Time Required | 10 minutes |
| Location | Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34° 52' 54.70" N, 137° 10' 30.94" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2023 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Shashin Kiroku | |
| Umoreta Kojō | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Aichi Shiro | |
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