Izaku Castle

Castle ruins in Hioki, Japan
31°30′49.702″N 130°21′47.498″E / 31.51380611°N 130.36319389°E / 31.51380611; 130.36319389TypeHirayama-style castleSite informationOwnerShimazu clanConditionruinsSite historyBuilt13th centuryBuilt byUnknownDemolished1615Garrison informationPast
commandersShimazu Tadayoshi, Shimazu TakahisaMap

Izaku Castle (伊作城, Izaku-jō) was a castle structure in Hioki, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.[1]

The date of the castle's construction is unknown, but it is believed that the castle was built by Shimazu Hisanaga in the thirteenth century.[2] It was the original seat of power for the Shimazu clan until 1536, when Shimazu Takahisa relocated the clan leadership to Ichiuji Castle. It was famously the birthplace of the warlords Shimazu Tadayoshi, Shimazu Yoshihisa and Shimazu Yoshihiro.[1][3][4][5]

Owing to its significance to the clan, Izaku castle was retained as a stronghold until 1615.[4] The castle is now only ruins, with nothing but some moats and earthworks remaining.[1]

Gallery

  • Map of Izaku Castle
    Map of Izaku Castle
  • Earthen wall of Kamemaru jo compound
    Earthen wall of Kamemaru jo compound

References

  1. ^ a b c "伊作城" (in Japanese). かごぶら. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  2. ^ "日本の城がわかる事典「伊作城」の解説". kotobank. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. ^ "伊作城" (in Japanese). 攻城団. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  4. ^ a b "国史跡　伊作城" (in Japanese). 南さつま観光. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  5. ^ "伊作城跡" (in Japanese). じゃらん. Retrieved 25 July 2019.