Akashi Castle
Akashi Castle (明石城, Akashi-jō) is a Japanese castle in Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
| Akashi Castle 明石城 | |
|---|---|
| Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan | |
 Tatsumi Yagura(r) and Hitsujisaru Yagura(l) | |
| Type | Japanese castle |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Ruins, save two yagura and a connecting wall |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1617 to 1619 |
| Built by | Ogasawara Tadazane |
| In use | 1619 to 1874 |
| Demolished | 1874 |
Akashi castle was constructed by Ogasawara Tadazane on Mount Akamatsu from 1617 to 1619 to watch over the western lords, by the order of Tokugawa Hidetada. It is known Miyamoto Musashi helped in building the castle as he was invited by Ogasawara Tadanao to be a "Construction Supervisor". The castle only took one year to complete, which was relatively fast for the time period. This was done so quickly as a result of a 1615 law mandating one castle per clan, so many castles were dismantled and parts of some were used to construct Akashi Castle.
The castle was built in Akashi, which was an important strategic point between Osaka and western Japan, where many major tozama daimyō had their feudal estates. Akashi Castle was expected to be a key staging point to stop a hypothetical invasion of Osaka.
Akashi castle underwent major repairs in 1739, and was demolished by the Meiji Government in 1874.
Cultural Property
In Akashi Castle, there are two Important Cultural Properties selected by Japanese government:
- Hitsujisaru Yagura
- Tatsumi Yagura
These two yagura, or towers, are the castle's only remaining buildings.
Access
Media related to Akashi Castle at Wikimedia Commons
