Renpou Yashiki
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History
It is thought that Renpō-yashiki was built some time between the mid' 14th and early 15th centuries, though it is not known by whom. The scale of the yashiki indicates a powerful local clan. There are several contenders, such as the Yasuda Clan who had residences nearby, and the Furuya Clan, vassals of the Takeda Clan. The name of the residence is thought to come from Renpō Irimichi, a descendent of Yasuda Yoshisada who lived in the area, indicating a link to the Yasuda Clan. The residence site of Yasuda Yoshisada is also located nearby. On the other hand, descendents of the Furuya Clan live in the area, and the Takeda link has support from both modern (Ueno Haruo) and early 19th century scholars (who wrote the Kai-Kokushi), and it is thought that tribute was stored at the yashiki before being sent to the Takeda's main domain. Findings at the turn of the millenium have led some researchers (Kazuno Masahiko et al) to conclude that Renpō-yashiki was the residence of Takeda Nobutake, the governor of Kai Province during the Nanbokuchō period. It is thought to have been built at this time in conjunction with nearby Seihakuji. The residence was used as a place to store goods by the Takeda Clan during the Sengoku period.
Visit Notes
Renpō-yashiki is a fortified residence site with dorui (earthen ramparts) and karabori (dry moats) remaining. The main segments of dorui and karabori are maintained as part of a park, forming a large, impressive bulwark in the north and west. Though there are now gaps in the walls, another long segment of dorui is found in the east. The southern ramparts are largely gone except for a couple of clumps here and there. This site has been extensively excavated and is desginated as a prefectural level historic site. Nearby is a temple called Seihakuji which contains buildings dating to the 17th century which are important cultural properties, such as the kuri (temple kitchen), and one national treasure, the butsuden (buddha hall).
Renpō-yashiki contains an archaelogical mystery. Remains of the northeast corner of the ramparts, now gone, have not been uncovered. It appears that there was a gap in the ramparts made here at some point but it is not known why. The two main theories are that it was a gate complex, as suggested by an old neighbourhood name, or that it was a kimon'yoke (daemon banishment portal) of some kind. Sometimes the ramparts of castles were indented (toward the bailey) or otherwise deviated from a regular form in their northeastern corners for this spiritual reason (Ueda Castle has a well-known example of this).
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Renpou Yashiki |
| Japanese Name | 連方屋敷 |
| Founder | Yasuda Clan or Furuya Clan; Takeda Clan |
| Year Founded | Nanbokuchō Period; Sengoku Period |
| Castle Type | Fortified Manor |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Designations | Prefectural Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui, Karabori, Kuruwa |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Higashi-Yamanashi Station on the Chūō Main Line; 3 minute walk |
| Visitor Information | 24/7 free; park |
| Time Required | 60 minutes |
| Location | Yamanashi, Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35° 41' 37.57" N, 138° 42' 16.56" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2022 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Shiro Meguri | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Shirobito | |
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