Gassan-toda Castle
Gassan-toda Castle (月山富田城) which is famous for the headquarters of the Amago clan (尼子氏) was a mountaintop castle constructed in the current Yasugi City, Shimane.
The castle is said to be built in the late 12th century.
The Kyogoku was appointed as the Military Governor of Izumo Province in the end of 14th century, and he installed Amago Mochihisa as his assistant.
Amago Tsunehisa, a grandchild of Mochihisa, was ousted from Gassan-toda Castle, because he tried to be independent of the Kyogoku. However, Tsunehisa captured the castle in 1486, then he became the powerful warlord in the San-in District.
After Tsunehisa's death, Mori Motonari extended the power instead, and he encroached on the Amago's domain. Finally Amago Yoshihisa surrendered Gassan-toda Castle in 1566. After that Yamanaka Shikanosuke, a retainer of the Amago, was struggling to revive the Amago, and attacking Izumo Province. But, his wish didn't come true.
After Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, he appointed Yoshikawa Hiroie as a lord of this area. Hiroie once entered Gassan-toda Castle, but soon he began to construct Yonago Castle because Gassan-toda was located in inconvenient place. Then the castle was abandoned.
Gassan-toda Castle was a huge mountain castle, the scale of which was approximately 1km from north to south. The castle consisted of a mountaintop area and a foothill area. The steep mountaintop area had Main, Second and Third enclosures, and the relatively flat foothill area had many enclosures including the lord's residence installed along ridges.
(The map was based on GSI Map powered by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. *the locations of enclosures or others are my speculation, so they may not be correct.)
A solid model helps us to understand the complicated structure of the castle. (Please turn it upside down, and compare with the above map. )
I started walking from Roadside station 'Hirose-todajo'.
Soon I find a site of riding ground.
I also find a stone wall aside from the trail.
➣ (1) Senjo enclosure
It was an enclosure located on the edge of north side.
➣ (2) Taiko-no-dan
There is a statue of Yamanaka Shikanosuke in the enclosure. He has a famous episode that he made a vow before the new moon and declared he would accept seven troubles and eight pains if it would bring relief to the Amago.
➣ (3) Oku-shoin
➣ (4) Hana-no-dan
Hana-no-dan means an enclosure of flowers. It was called so because a lot of flowers were growing there. It is considered to be the residencial area of the chief vassals.
It is a display of cross section of passage which consisted of 14 level rammed soil in order to protect it from rains.
Walking close to Sanchu Palace, I find a lot of stone walls. They are considered to be built in the Mori's period.
Gunyo Oh-ido (literally Big well for military use)
➣ (5) Sanchu Palace
Sanchu Palace was the heart of this castle. It has an area of 3000 square meter.
Sugayaguchi Gate
Stone wall in the southwest
➣ (7)Nanamagari slope
From here, I am climbing the steep slope toward the mountaintop.
➣ Yamabuki Well
➣ (7) Third enclosure
The base of stone wall had been found by an excavation investigation, and the upper side of stones were piled up later.
I'm looking down Nanamagari slope from Third enclosure. Enemies climbing up the slope were in full view.
➣ (8) Second enclosure
It is an entrance of enclosure.
A view from Main enclosure; Main and Second enclosures were separated by a trench.
A view of west direction; Mori Motonari took up his position on a mountain across Iinashi River, when he attacked this castle.
➣ (9) Main enclosure
It takes one hour from the roadside station to Main enclosure.
➣ Katsuhitakamori Shrine
The shrine located in a corner of Main enclosure is said to be established by Fujiwara Kagekiyo, an ancient commander.
➣ (10) Genso-ji Temple
I stop by Genso-ji Temple on the downhill way. I wonder a outstanding stone wall, which was constructed in the end of Edo Period.
There was a trail from Genso-ji Temple to Sanchu Palace.
It is the place one step up from the temple. I guess it was Nogaku enclosure.
➣ (11) Tomb of Horio Yoshiharu
I also go to the tomb of Horio Yoshiharu who was the last lord of Gassan-toda Castle.
➣ (12) The site of castle town
The castle town was extended beside Iinashi River. However, it was destroyed by a flood in 1666.
(Date of visit : 12th October 2014)
➣ Access Information
The castle is said to be built in the late 12th century.
The Kyogoku was appointed as the Military Governor of Izumo Province in the end of 14th century, and he installed Amago Mochihisa as his assistant.
Amago Tsunehisa, a grandchild of Mochihisa, was ousted from Gassan-toda Castle, because he tried to be independent of the Kyogoku. However, Tsunehisa captured the castle in 1486, then he became the powerful warlord in the San-in District.
After Tsunehisa's death, Mori Motonari extended the power instead, and he encroached on the Amago's domain. Finally Amago Yoshihisa surrendered Gassan-toda Castle in 1566. After that Yamanaka Shikanosuke, a retainer of the Amago, was struggling to revive the Amago, and attacking Izumo Province. But, his wish didn't come true.
After Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, he appointed Yoshikawa Hiroie as a lord of this area. Hiroie once entered Gassan-toda Castle, but soon he began to construct Yonago Castle because Gassan-toda was located in inconvenient place. Then the castle was abandoned.
Gassan-toda Castle was a huge mountain castle, the scale of which was approximately 1km from north to south. The castle consisted of a mountaintop area and a foothill area. The steep mountaintop area had Main, Second and Third enclosures, and the relatively flat foothill area had many enclosures including the lord's residence installed along ridges.
(The map was based on GSI Map powered by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. *the locations of enclosures or others are my speculation, so they may not be correct.)
A solid model helps us to understand the complicated structure of the castle. (Please turn it upside down, and compare with the above map. )
I started walking from Roadside station 'Hirose-todajo'.
Soon I find a site of riding ground.
I also find a stone wall aside from the trail.
➣ (1) Senjo enclosure
It was an enclosure located on the edge of north side.
➣ (2) Taiko-no-dan
There is a statue of Yamanaka Shikanosuke in the enclosure. He has a famous episode that he made a vow before the new moon and declared he would accept seven troubles and eight pains if it would bring relief to the Amago.
➣ (3) Oku-shoin
➣ (4) Hana-no-dan
Hana-no-dan means an enclosure of flowers. It was called so because a lot of flowers were growing there. It is considered to be the residencial area of the chief vassals.
It is a display of cross section of passage which consisted of 14 level rammed soil in order to protect it from rains.
Walking close to Sanchu Palace, I find a lot of stone walls. They are considered to be built in the Mori's period.
Gunyo Oh-ido (literally Big well for military use)
➣ (5) Sanchu Palace
Sanchu Palace was the heart of this castle. It has an area of 3000 square meter.
Sugayaguchi Gate
Stone wall in the southwest
➣ (7)Nanamagari slope
From here, I am climbing the steep slope toward the mountaintop.
➣ Yamabuki Well
➣ (7) Third enclosure
The base of stone wall had been found by an excavation investigation, and the upper side of stones were piled up later.
I'm looking down Nanamagari slope from Third enclosure. Enemies climbing up the slope were in full view.
➣ (8) Second enclosure
It is an entrance of enclosure.
A view from Main enclosure; Main and Second enclosures were separated by a trench.
A view of west direction; Mori Motonari took up his position on a mountain across Iinashi River, when he attacked this castle.
➣ (9) Main enclosure
It takes one hour from the roadside station to Main enclosure.
➣ Katsuhitakamori Shrine
The shrine located in a corner of Main enclosure is said to be established by Fujiwara Kagekiyo, an ancient commander.
➣ (10) Genso-ji Temple
I stop by Genso-ji Temple on the downhill way. I wonder a outstanding stone wall, which was constructed in the end of Edo Period.
There was a trail from Genso-ji Temple to Sanchu Palace.
It is the place one step up from the temple. I guess it was Nogaku enclosure.
➣ (11) Tomb of Horio Yoshiharu
I also go to the tomb of Horio Yoshiharu who was the last lord of Gassan-toda Castle.
➣ (12) The site of castle town
The castle town was extended beside Iinashi River. However, it was destroyed by a flood in 1666.
(Date of visit : 12th October 2014)
➣ Access Information
● Address | Hirose-cho Toda, Yasugi-shi, Shimane Map |
● Transportation | 11km from San-in Expwy Yasugi IC via Prefectural route 45 |
● Parking | Roadside Station 'Hirose-todajo' Parking (free : Spot 'P' pointed on the above map) |
● Other sights | Yonago Castle Matsue Castle |
➣ Wikipedia link
スポンサーサイト
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