Japan Castle Explorer: Oita

Showing posts with label Oita. Show all posts

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Tsurusaki Castle -Fierce battle for fate and fame (5) -Plots of old lady-

Tsurusaki Castle

-Fierce battle for fate and fame (5) -Plots of old lady-

Overview

Name: Tsurusaki castle (Tsurusaki-jo)
Alias:
Place: Minami-Tsurusaki Oita city, Oita
Type: Flat Castle
Built: 16th century
Remaining remnants: None
Title:

Brief History

Continued from Part 4

Tsurusaki castle (鶴崎城) was existed around the place of current Tsurusaki elementary school and Tsurusaki high school. Because of land reclamation this area becomes huge flat land between Ono-gawa river and Otozu-gawa river, but formerly Tsurusaki area was a small sandbank further separated by Tsurusaki-gawa river only connected to the southward by narrow path.

Tsurusaki area is at the east end of Oita plain and connecting point toward Sagamisaki peninsula or Usuki area. Further, Ono-gawa river was an important route of river transportation toward the inner part of Bungo province (Oita prefecture) such as Takeda area or Bungo Ono area, and the mouth of the river itself was a good port. Because of this geographic condition, Tsurusaki port prospered since the beginning of Muromachi era.

Origin of Tsurusaki castle

Tsurusaki castle might be built in the former half of 16th century by Nagamasu Yoshioka (?-1573), an important retainer of Otomo clan. Yoshioka clan was a branch family of Otomo clan, and at first lived at Chitose castle at the west from Tsurusaki castle. Yoshioka clan had been quiet in the history but suddenly emerged at the time of Nagamasu Yoshioka.

Nagamasu Yoshioka was appointed as Kaban-shu, a signing retainer, at the time of Yoshiaki Otomo (1502-1550). At this time Nagamasu lead his army and fought against Ouchi army which was the strong warlord of Nagato province (Yamaguchi prefecture), to support Shoni clan. But at this time this support to Shoni clan failed and Nagamasu resigned his position.

After the incident of Nikai-Kuzure, a substantial coup d'tat by Yoshishige Otomo (1530-1587) who was the son of Yoshiaki, Nagamasu Yoshioka returned to the position. Nagamasu and Akisumi Usuki (1520-1575) were praised as two senior retainers of Bungo province who took the administration of Otomo clan.

Two plot save the crisis of Otomo clan

Otomo clan gave wide authority to these senior retainers, including administration, diplomacy and military. Later this authority was given to the untalented close retainers of Yoshishige and became a cause of the fall of Otomo clan, but at first this structure well worked to fight against other warlords at the north part of Kyushu region far away from Bungo province.

After the fall of Ouchi clan in 1555, Mouri clan which was the warlord of Aki province (Hiroshima prefecture) which ruined Ouchi clan and Otomo clan fiercely struggled for the dominance of north part of Kyushu region, especially for Hakata city. Because of the plot of Motonari Mouri (1497-1571), an intellectual leader of Mouri clan, local lords of the area left Otomo clan one by one and Otomo clan fell into a crisis.

At this time, under the plot of Nagamasu, Otomo clan supported the raise of former retainers of Amago clan that was ruined by Mouri clan, lead by Yukimori Yamanaka (1545-1578) at the backside of Mouri territory. Furthermore, Otomo clan also sent a relative of Ouchi clan to their former capital Yamaguchi city, to disrupt Mouri clan.

These plots well worked then Mouri army returned all army to their territory, and Otomo army subjugated rebelled local lords without the support of Mouri clan. Above two plot themselves failed, but Otomo clan turned the corner and captured north part of Kyushu island.

Resistance against Shimazu army

After Nagamasu, his son Akioki Yoshioka (?-?) succeeded his position and became a signing retainer. But Akioki died in the battle of Mimikawa against Shimazu army in 1578, thus his son Munemasu Yoshioka succeeded Yoshioka clan. Wife of Akioki became a sister to mourn lost husband and named as Myorinni (?-?).

In 1586, Shimazu army started total attack against Otomo clan for the unification of Kyushu island. After the defeat of the battle of Hetsugigawa, Yoshimune Otomo (1558-1610), the successor of Yoshishige Otomo, disposed Funai city then Shimazu army intruded into Oita plain.

Iehisa Shimazu (1547-1587), the commander of Shimazu army, ordered his general to siege Tsurusaki castle with 3,000 soldiers in December 1585. As Munemasu Yoshioka was at Usuki castle with Yoshishige Otomo, there remained quite limited soldiers in the castle. But Myorinni who might be over 60 years old decided to resist against Shimazu army which was the enemy of her husband.

Clever defense of old lady

The old lady strengthened small Tsurusaki castle digging the moats, placing the fences and boards as wall. Beside many pitfalls were made at the muddy ground around the castle, hidden by grasses. As the narrow path at the south of the castle is an expected approach route, a combination of wall and mort was added to stop the enemy. Myorinni gathered local residents and armed, then waited for the arrival of Shimazu army.

As Tsurusaki castle was a small castle at flat area, Shimazu army tried to attack the castle forcefully. But they fell into the numerous pitfalls and shot by matchlock guns from the castle, and suffered severe damage. Shimazu army once retreated and repeated their attack from different points, but Myorinni rejected these attacks of Shimazu army 16 times.

However, before continuous attack of Shimazu army outer part of the castle fell and supplies became short. At that time Shimazu army suffered certain damage recommended Myorinni to make peace, thus Myorinni once agreed this. Yoshioka army left Tsurusaki castle, and entertained the commanders of Shimazu army by party.

Another plot of old lady

But this was also a plot of Myorinni. Three month after, facing the arrival of overwhelming army of central ruler Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1537-1598) to Kyushu island, Shimazu army decided to retreat from Bungo province and protect their original territory.

At this time, Myorinni told the commanders of Shimazu army that she was too involved in Shimazu army and could not stay at this place. Therefore she planned to accompany with Shimazu army then hoped to have a farewell party. Commanders of Shimazu army trusted this and severely drunk then left the castle in advance.

Looking at this, Myorinni sent her army and attacked dizzying Shimazu army from backside. Shimazu army lost many soldiers and two of three commanders, thus escaped from Tsurusaki area. Later Hideyoshi Toyotomi heard this and hoped to meet Myorinni, but Myorinni who accomplished revenge of her husband declined this invitation and returned to quiet life.

Afterward of castle and area

In 1593, along with the expulsion of Yoshimune Otomo, Yoshioka clan lost Tsurusaki area. After the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Tsurusaki area became a distant territory of Kiyomasa Kato (1562-1611), the feudal lord of Kumamoto domain at Higo province (Kumamoto prefecture). Tsurusaki castle was abolished, and an administrative office of Kumamoto domain was placed at the former site of the castle.

Throughout Edo era, Tsurusaki area prospered as a trading and communication port of Kumamoto domain to the central area. Higo Kaido road which connected Kumamoto city and Tsurusaki area across Kyushu island was prepared, and lords of Kumamoto domain used Tsurusaki port to visit Edo city.

Now all structure was lost and memorial statue only existed at the site of the castle. Similarly, information on Myorinni is quite limited and her activity was only shortly recorded at military novels. It is quite difficult to imagine fierce battle and plot of 400 years ago from current situation, but hence it might attract the interest of later people.

Continue to Part 6

Access

15 minutes walk from JR Kyushu Nippo Honsen line Tsurusaki station. 20 minutes drive from Higashi-Kyushu Jidoshado Expressway Oita-Miyagawauchi interchange.

Pictures (click to enlarge)

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Takasakisan Castle -Fierce battle for fate and fame (4) -Turn up and turn down-

Takasakisan Castle

-Fierce battle for fate and fame (4) -Turn up and turn down-

Overview

Name: Takasakisan castle (Takasaki-jo)
Alias:
Place: Kanzaki Oita city, Oita

Location: 33.251986035116104, 131.52415928469287
Type: Mountain Castle
Built: 16th century
Remaining remnants: Stone walls, clay walls and dry moats
Title:

Brief History

Continued from Part 3

Takasaki Castle (高崎山城) is built over Takasaki-yama mountain, a beautiful shape independent peak of about 600 meter height sea, stands at the middle of current Oita city and Beppu city. Other than a symbol of the area, this mountain is also known as a habitat of wild monkeys, which formed two colonies and their feeding is observable.

Currently sea side road runs along the coast side, but formerly this was a sheer cliff and a mountainous road passed at the backside highland of the mountain. From this side the height difference of hillside and hilltop is about 200 meter, a suitable height both for access and defense. Takasaki-yama mountain was an important place to divide north coast and south coast of Beppu bay, also the north half and south half of Bungo province (Oita prefecture).

Origin of Takasaki castle

It is said that Takasaki castle was at first built by Oga clan, a traditional local lord held Oita area at the end of Heian era. At the establishment of Kamakura Shogunate Oga clan contributed to the Shogunate, but Yoritomo Minamoto (1147-1199), the founder of Shogunate, appointed his close retainer Yoshinao Otomo (1172-1223) as the governor of Bungo province.

In the latter half of 13th century, Yoriyasu Otomo (1222-1300), the grandson of Yoshinao, was appointed as the commander of defense army for foreign invasion to Kyushu island, then entered Bungo province. Yoriyasu activated at the defensive battle, and established the governance of Otomo clan at the province rejecting Oga clan.

At the fall of Kamakura Shogunate in 1333, Otomo clan ruined the representative of Shogunate at Kyushu island and belonged to anti-Shogunate army. Later when Muromachi Shogunate built by Takauji Ashikaga (1305-1358) and South Court lead by Emperor Godaigo (1288-1339) became conflict, Otomo clan belonged to Shogunate side.

Conflict against South Court army

In 1353, the South Court army lead by Prince Kaneyoshi (1329-1383) grew their power under the support of Kikuchi clan and Aso clan of Higo province (Kumamoto prefecture) then marched into Bungo province. As Otomo clan did not have secure castle, Ujitoki Otomo (?-1388), the leader of Otomo clan, once surrendered to South Court army.

Ujitoki Otomo secretly built a secure castle at Takasakiyama mountain then returned to Muromachi Shogunate. In 1358 furious South Court army intruded into Bungo province, but Otomo army well stood against overwhelming South Court army at Takasakiyama castle.

At this time Shiga clan which was the branch family of Otomo clan and important retainer attacked South Court army from backside. Confused South Court army retreated after the chase of Otomo army, and first attack of South Court army failed. Strangely Shiga clan supported Otomo clan at the invasion of Shimazu army over 200 year later.

Next year South Court army attacked Takasakiyama castle again, but could not fall it again. But in 1359, Muromachi Shogunate army including Otomo army and South Court army fought at Chikugo-gawa river, then South Court army broke Shogunate army and captured Dazaifu city, the vice capital of Japan. Most part of Kyushu island was seized by South Court army at that time.

Besiege raised fame of clan

Looking at this situation, Otomo clan surrendered to the South Court again. But around 1370, Muromachi Shogunate appointed Sadayo Imagawa (1329-1420) who was a talented lord as a commander of Kyushu area. Sadayo sent his son to Takasaki castle from sea, and Sadayo and his younger brother attacked from north part of Kyushu island.

Looking at this situation, South Court army lead by Takemitsu Kikuchi (1319-1373) made total attack to Takasaki castle, to secure the backward. It is recorded that there were 100 battles during half year, but Otomo army securely held the castle. Among that the main army of Sadayo Imagawa approached to Dazaifu city, then South Court army gave up the siege and left.

Just after that South Court army left Dazaifu city facing the attack of Sadayo Imagawa, then the power of South Court and Muromachi Shogunate at Kyushu island totally reversed. Otomo clan achieved the fame at Takasakiyama castle, and in spite of internal conflicts in 15th century it became the basis of expansion in 16th century.

Expansion as last resort

In the former half of 16th century, Otomo clan overcame its internal conflicts and the battle against Ouchi clan, the powerful warlord of Suo province (Yamaguchi prefecture), grew as a strong warlord. Funai town which was the main base of Otomo clan prospered at the mouth of Oita-gawa river, but only had a small hill at backside.

Because of this situation, Otomo clan expanded Takasaki castle as a evacuation place. Sheer cliff of the mountain and good perspective was appropriate to retreat from Funai city temporally and order the counter attack in case of emergency. In 1518 Chikamitsu Kutani (?-1518), a retainer of Otomo clan rebelled at this castle but was later ruined.

The core part of the castle spreads over gentle slope prolongs from the peak of the mountain toward southeast. Central area of the castle is a square shaped area of about 80 meter long surrounded by clay wall. The shape of the area is resembles to the residence of medieval governor, and there might be a main building of the lord. At the edge of this area there remains a ruin of signal fire basement built by Edo era.

Structure with latest technology

At the south of central area, ahead of huge dry moat, newly reformed area spreads over 200 meter long. At the top of this area there is a rectangular area of 50 meter long and 30 meter wide surrounded by stone wall, which might be a commanding place. In front of this area over 10 terraces are built at the slope, and main route runs at the western edge of these areas.

At the end of these areas, the front gate of the castle existed. This front gate is protected by stone walls and two attached turret, and equivalent to the gate of modern castles. The western slope of central area and secondary area is protected by the long line of stone wall which might be added at final period. Ahead of this stone wall, small terraces and vertical moats are built to prevent the attack from gentle slope.

Total length of the castle exceeds over 600 meter, and is one of the largest castle of Otomo clan. In addition to this size, elements of the castle such as clearly shaped terraces, deep vertical moats or lines of stone walls shows the latest castle technology of Otomo clan. Otomo clan relied on Takasakia castle as last resort, where formerly saved their ancestor from strong enemy.

Break out of campaign

In 1586 autumn, Shimazu clan which was the governor of Satsuma province (Kagoshima prefecture) and broke Otomo army at the battle of Mimikawa in 1578, started total attack to Otomo clan. Because of the defeat at Mimikawa and rebels of important retainers, Otomo clan did not have the power to prevent the invasion any more.

Several retainers such as Koresada Saeki (1569-1618) at Togamure castle or Chikatsugu Shiga (1566-1660) kept resistance against Shimazu army, but many castles were fell or surrendered then opened the way for Shimazu army. Detached force of Shimazu army lead by Iehisa Shimazu (1547-1587) encircled Tsuruga castle, an important castle to protect Funai city.

To save Tsuruga castle, Yoshimune Otomo (1558-1610) lead his army with reinforcement army from central ruler Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1537-1598), including Motochika Chosokabe (1539-1599) and Hidehisa Sengoku (1552-1614). But because of the reckless tactics of Hidehisa, Otomo army suffered severe defeat by the trap of Shimazu army at this battle of Hetsugigawa.

Secure fortress not used at crisis

Yoshimune Otomo kept his army at this battle, but politics and religious policy of Otomo clan evoked dissatisfaction among retainers and there was a fear of betrayal. Yoshimune Otomo decided to abandon Funai city, and escaped to Takasaki castle. Shimazu army intruded into vacant Funai city and destructed it, and the burning Funai town might be well looked from Takasakiyama castle.

However, this time Yoshimune Otomo did not use Takasaki castle and further escaped to Ryuo castle of Buzen province at the northward. Because of sudden escape there was limited supplies, and the morale of soldiers was quite low. There was no hope for the reinforcement army, and it was better to approach to Toyotomi army already proceeded into Buzen province.

In December 1586 Yoshimune Otomo burnt down Takasaki castle and moved to Ryuo castle. Formerly it was a useful castle at turn up but could not stop the fall at turn down. Yoshimune survived the attack of Shimazu army from this escape, but this attitude might be a one reason of later expulsion of Otomo clan by Hideyoshi.

Afterward of castle

Finally Shimazu army retreated from Bungo province and surrendered before the attack of Hideyoshi, and Yoshimune Otomo once regained Bungo province. But Yoshimune was expelled due to the failure in foreign expedition, and Funai area became the territory of Naotaka Fukuhara (?-1600). Naotaka abolished Takasaki castle and used stones to build Oita Funai castle.

Now no building remains but structures of the castle well remain on the mountain, partially covered by bushes. In addition to the impressive shape of Takasaki mountain, well built structure of the castle shows it was exactly a symbol of Otomo clan. Otomo clan prospered at the brave fight at its symbol, and also fell by the lost of this castle.

Continue to Part 5

Access

30 minutes drive from Oita Jidoshado Expressway Beppu interchange to halfway parking near Zenigame-Toge pass via Prefectural Road 51. 40 minutes from parking to hilltop castle.