Ushiku Castle

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Ushiku17.jpg

History

Ushiku Castle was built around 1550 by the Okami clan. At that time the Okami were allied with the Hojo in opposition to the Satake defending the borderlands of the Hojo territory. The castle was strongly built and incorporated elements of Hojo castle design such as a large outer defense perimeter (sogamae) around the castle. In 1586 the Okami were attacked by the Tagaya (Satake allies) and barely defended the castle with support from other nearby allies. During the Siege of Odawara in 1590, the Okami surrendered to Hideyoshi's forces. Hideyoshi replaced the Okami with Yura Kunishige as the new commander of the castle. Ushiku Castle was abandoned after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1623.

In 1669, the Ushiku Domain was established and Ushiku Jinya was built along the Ushiku Swamp to the northwest of Ushiku Castle.


Visit Notes

This is a fantastic site to visit. The huge walls and deep trenches are very typical of Kanto earthworks castles, especially the many similar type ones you'll find around Ibaraki. The pictures don't do it justice. Some of the embankments appear to be low, but you are actually looking at them from inside the bailey and a higher elevation. From the outside they add a couple meters onto the height of an already deep trench.
牛久城はとても面白いです。深い空堀と高い土塁を持つ関東らしい土城です。こういう土城が多い茨城県の中でも牛久城は特に目立つ城跡です。この写真だけでは十分に伝わらないかもしれないので是非自分で訪れてみてください。


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Gallery
  • Deep trench of the Second Bailey
  • Castle entrance between deep trenches
  • Third Bailey trenches seen from the bridge
  • Third Bailey trenches seen from the bridge
  • Embankment of the Third Bailey
  • Second Bailey
  • Embankment of the Second Bailey
  • Vertical trench of the Second Bailey
  • Small koshiguruwa of the Second Bailey
  • Trench of the Second Bailey
  • Trench of the Second Bailey
  • Second Bailey
  • Embankment of the Third Bailey
  • Trench between the First and Second Bailey
  • Trench between the First and Second Bailey
  • Trench between the First and Second Bailey
  • Small koshiguruwa type bailey
  • Earthen bridge to the First Bailey
  • Small bailey around the entrance to the First and Third Baileys
  • First Bailey
  • Third Bailey
  • Embankment of the Third Bailey
  • Embankment of the Third Bailey
  • Embankment of the Third Bailey
  • Location of the Main Gate for the castle
  • Map


Castle Profile
English Name Ushiku Castle
Japanese Name 牛久城
Founder Okami clan
Year Founded 1550
Castle Type Hilltop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Designations Local Historic Site
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Ushiku Sta. (Joban line), 25 min walk
Visitor Information park, open any time
Time Required 60 mins
Location Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture
Coordinates 35° 57' 14.76" N, 140° 8' 6.43" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2017
Admin Year Visited 2017
Admin Visits May 3, 2017


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