私の感想～My Impression – ページ 61 – 日本200名城バイリンガル (Japan's top 200 castles and ruins)

185.Karatsu Castle Part3

How can we evaluate the Terasawa Clan’s achievement?

Later History

After the Meiji Restoration, Karatsu Castle was abandoned and all the buildings of the castle were demolished. Most of the castle area was turned into the city area, but the mountain part became Maizuru Park in 1877. The Imitation Main Tower was built and opened in 1966 as new Karatsu Castle. Since then, the castle site has been a modern tourist attraction as well as a historical spot.

The Imitation Main Tower of Katatsu Castle

The Imitation Main Tower seen from the outside of the Main Enclosure

My Impression

I didn’t have a good impression of the Terasawa Clan because of the result of the Shimabara Rebellion. The founder of the clan, Hirotaka seemed to be loyal to the Tokugawa Shogunate in his new territory called Amakusa. I guess his oppression was a way for him to do so like the Matsukura Clan at Shimabara Castle and Nobutoshi Sanada at Numata Castle. I also think we should evaluate what he did in Karatsu and Amakusa separately. He at least built Karatsu Castle and the foundation of Karatsu City. I also recommend enjoying Karatsu pottery Hirotaka promoted, which is still a well-known product in the city.

One of the masterpieces of Karatsu pottery called Platter with Pine Tree, owned by the Metropolitan Museum (licensed by the Metropolitan Museum via Wikimedia Commons)

How to get There

I recommend using a car when you visit the castle.
It is about 15 minutes away from Nijo-Shikaka IC on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway.
You can park at the parking lot near the entrance of the castle.
By train, It takes about 20 minutes on foot from Karatsu Station.
To get to Karatsu Station from Fukuoka: Take the Fukuoka City Subway on the Kuko Line, transfer to the JR Chikuhi Line at Meihama Station.
From Tokyo or Osaka to Fukuoka: Take the Shinkansen super express or plane.

That’s all. Thank you.
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185.唐津城　その３

寺沢氏の業績をどう評価すればよいのでしょうか。

その後

明治維新後、唐津城は廃城となり、城の全ての建物は撤去されました。城のほとんどの部分は市街地になっていきましたが、山の部分は1877年に舞鶴公園となりました。模擬天守が建設され、新しい唐津城として開業したのは1966年のことです。それ以来、城は現代の観光地であり、史跡でもあるのです。

私の感想

私は、島原の乱の結果から寺沢氏に対してはよい印象を持っていませんでした。寺沢家の初代、広高は新しい領地である天草で徳川幕府に忠誠を尽くそうとしたように思います。彼が天草で行った圧政は、それを示すため取った方法と考えられ、同じようなことを島原城の松倉氏や沼田城の真田信利も行っていました。また、広高が唐津で行ったことと、天草で行ったことは分けて評価するべきとも思うのです。彼は、少なくとも唐津城を築き、唐津市の礎を作ったのです。それから、広高が奨励した唐津焼は今でも唐津市の名産になっています。ご覧になってはいかがでしょう。

唐津松文大皿、メトロポリタン美術館蔵 *(licensed by the Metropolitan Museum via Wikimedia Commons)*

ここに行くには

この城に行くには、車を使うことをお勧めします。
西九州自動車道の二丈鹿家（にじょうしかか）ICから約１５分かかります。
城入口近くにある駐車場に駐車することができます。
電車では、唐津駅から歩いて約２０分かかります。
福岡から唐津駅まで：福岡市地下鉄の空港縁に乗って、姪浜（めいはま）駅でＪＲ筑肥線に乗り換えてください。
東京または大阪から福岡まで：新幹線か飛行機に乗ってください。

リンク、参考情報

・唐津城　施設利用案内、唐津市文化事業団
・唐津城、唐津観光協会
・「よみがえる日本の城２１」
・「日本の城改訂版第９５号」デアゴスティーニジャパン

これで終わります。ありがとうございました。
「唐津城その１」に戻ります。
「唐津城その２」に戻ります。

136.Torigoe Castle Part3

I am thankful to live in the safety of modern Japan.

Later History

The ruins of Torigoe Castle had been abandoned for a long time after the Ikko uprising was defeated. The excavation was conducted between 1977 and 2002, while the ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 1985. The development as a historical park and the restoration of some castle structures were also done between 1991 and 2002. That’s why we can see the ruins as the monument of the Kaga Ikko uprising.

The restored Masugata-mon Gate (front) and Main Enclosure Gate (back)

The ruins of the lookout tower beside the Main Enclosure Gate, now used as the observation platform

the ruins of buildings in the Main Enclosure

My Impression

When I visited Torigoe Castle Ruins, I thought the castle was exactly like those that the warlords built. This proves the Kaga Ikko uprising really had religious, political and even military power. In other words, people at that time needed to protect themselves. People in the present time usually live safely without these concerns, at least in Japan. I learned that this is partly due to the precious sacrifice of the Ikko uprising people. I also recommend seeing the ruins as a good example of mountain castles during the Sengoku Period.

The inside of Masugata, a square space for defense

The dry moat between the Main Enclosure and Rear Second Enclosure

The Second Enclosure, which protected the south of the Main Enclosure

How to get There

I recommend using a car when you visit the ruins.
It is about a 30-minute drive away from Komatsu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. You can park at the parking lot located near the top of the mountain.
If you want to use public transportation, you can take the Hokutetsu-Kaga Bus on the Mugiguchi Line from Komatus Station and get off at the Misaka bus stop. It takes about 30 minutes on foot from the bus stop to get there.
To get to Komatsu Station from Tokyo: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen super express, transfer to the limited express on the Hokuriku Line at Kanazawa Station.
From Osaka: Take the Thunderbird limited express

The parking lot seen from the Rear Second Enclosure

The Rear Second Enclosure seen from the parking lot

That’s all. Thank you.
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