History Take a walk through the history of the castle town of Kakegawa.
The three castles in this region are important elements of Enshu area, which was a base for battles during the Warring States period. A great history and culture has grown up around Kakegawa, which flourished as both a castle town and way station. Kakegawa is a historic town surrounded by natural beauty.
Kazutoyo Yamauchi, his faithful wife
Chiyo and the historic Kakegawa Castle.
Kakegawa Castle, the first castle in
Japan to be restored using an authentic
wooden structure in 1994, was known
as one of the finest castles in the
Tokai region of Japan and is the symbol
of Kakegawa City.Kazutoyo Yamauchi,
whose name became famous
throughout Japan due to the NHK
period drama Koumyougatsuji on 2006,
became the lord of Kakegawa
Castle in 1590.During his occupation
he carried out large scale restoration
of the castle in addition to development
of the surrounding town.Take a relaxing stroll through the town surrounding Kakegawa castle while recalling the tale of Kazutoyo Yamauchi and his wife,Chiyo,who lived during the world of the feudal period using a combination of wisdom, strength and love.
Chiyo (A wife)
Kazutoyo Yamauchi
History was carved from the joys and sufferings of Bushou, military commanders.
During the Warring States period, Kakegawa was a transport hub on the Tokaido, so many military commanders, starting with Imagawa, Tokugawa, and Takeda coveted the land. In addition, Takeda and Tokugawa continued to fight for Kakegawa castle at Takatenjin castle and, further, Yokosuka castle was built as a military base for this campaign. There were many battles at Kakegawa in an attempt to unify the country.
Kakegawa castle was built by a vassal called Asahina who was acting on orders from Imagawa, the daimyo of Suruga (Shizuoka Area) Shunga, during the Muromachi period, who wanted to advance into Toutoumi (Hamamatsu Area). In the end, when the Imagawa clan lost its power, Kakegawa castle fell into the hands of Tokugawa Ieyasu. When Ieyasu moved to the Kanto Area in 1590, the famous Yamauchi Kazutoyo entered Kakegawa castle, with the great support of his wife. He built the castle keep, and put the castle town in order.
Kakegawa castle today was rebuilt in April 1994 as the first authentic wooden castle keep in Japan, retaining the beauty of a bygone age.
| Interior of Kakegawa castle keep |
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| Kakegawa castle main gate |
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| Kakegawa castle hall. An important national cultural treasure.Nationally designated cultural property |
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| The remains of Yokosuka castle, built to oppose Takatenjin castle.Nationally designated cultural property |
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| The remains of Takatenjin castle, said to have been impregnable. |
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| Guardhouse of the main gate, which watches over comings and goings to the castle |
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| The turret that houses the great drum for marking time. |
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| The town watch post located at the boundary between Yokosuka Castle and the castle town served to keep an eye on people entering and leaving the castle |
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| Entrance to the remains of Takatenjin castle.Nationally designated cultural property |
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