149.Komakiyama Castle Part3

The mountain and ruins protected by the Tokugawa Clan

Later History

After the battle in 1584, Komakiyama Castle was abandoned again. In the beginning of the Edo Period, parts of the huge stones were taken away for the construction of Nagoya Castle. You can see one stone which was divided but was not used in the construction. During the Edo Period, the Tokugawa Clan banned people from entering Mt. Komakiyama, because the place was the site of the ruins of their founder Ieyasu’s victory and fortune. For many years during the Modern Times, the mountain was privately owned by the Tokugawa Clan. It is said that it made the foundation of the castle very durable. The ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 1927 after the Tokugawa Clan donated the mountain to the nation.

The stone which was divided but was not used in the construction for Nagoya Castle
The cross section of the earthen walls at the north entrance

My Impression

It was believed previously, that Komakiyama Castle was just a temporary position for Nobunaga to plan his next step. However, the achievement of the recent excavation made people change their ideas about the castle. I was actually surprised to see the remains of the huge stones and learned they came from Nobunaga’s ideas about castle building. I am looking forward to seeing new discoveries and studies in the future.

The remaining huge stones on the mountain
A view from the top of the mountain

How to get There

If you want to visit there by car:
It is about 10 minutes away from Komaki IC on Tomei Expressway.
There are several parking lots around the mountain including the Komaki City Hall.
By train, it takes about 30 minutes on foot from Komaki Station on Meitetsu Komaki Line.
To get to Komaki Station from Tokyo or Osaka: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express, get off at Nagoya Station, transfer to the Higashiyama Subway Line, transfer at Sakae Station to the Meijo Subway Line, and transfer at Heandori Station to Meitetsu Komaki Line.

Links and References

Komakiyama, Komaki Civic Cultural Foundation

That’s all.
Back to “Komakiyama Castle Part1”
Back to “Komakiyama Castle Part2”

149.小牧山城 その3

徳川氏により守られた山と城跡

その後

1584年の戦いの後、小牧山城は再び廃城となりました。江戸時代の初期、巨石の一部が名古屋城の建設工事のために持ち去られました。そのために一旦割られたが、結局使われなかった石を見ることができます。江戸時代の間、徳川氏は人々が小牧山に入るのを禁じました。この場所は創始者である家康の「御勝利と御開運の御陣跡」とされたためです。近代になっても長い間この山は徳川氏の私有地となっていました。そのために城の基礎部分がよく残っていると言われています。徳川氏が国に山を寄贈した後、1927年に城跡は国の史跡に指定されました。

名古屋城建設のために割られたが使われなった石
公園の北入口に展示されている土塁の断面

私の感想

以前、小牧山城は信長の次のステップのための単なる一時的な陣地だと信じられてきました。ところが、最近の発掘調査の成果により、この城に関する考え方は変わりました。私も実際に残っている巨石を見て驚きましたし、これは信長の城づくりの考え方によるものだと学びました。将来、また新しい発見や研究が出てくることが楽しみです。

山上に残る巨石群
山上からの眺め

ここに行くには

車で行く場合:
東名自動車道の小牧ICから約10分のところです。
小牧市役所を含む山の周辺にいくつか駐車場があります。
電車の場合は、名鉄小牧線の小牧駅から歩いて約30分かかります。
東京または大阪から小牧駅まで:
東海道新幹線に乗って名古屋駅で降り、地下鉄東山線に乗り換え、栄駅で地下鉄名城線に乗り換え、平安通駅で名鉄小牧線に乗り換えてください。

リンク、参考情報

史跡小牧山、こまき市民文化財団
・「信長と家臣団の城/中井均著」角川選書
・「信長の城/千田嘉博著」岩波新書
・「日本の城改訂版第128号」デアゴスティーニジャパン

これで終わります。
「小牧山城その1」に戻ります。
「小牧山城その2」に戻ります。

39.Gifu Castle Part3

A popular spot for tourism and history

Later History

After the battle in 1600, Gifu Castle was abandoned, instead, Tokugawa Shogunate built Kano Castle in a nearby plain area. In 1910, the first imitation Main Tower was built by the local people. The present Main Tower is the second generation which was built in 1956. Both of them are seen as important symbols of city and have been contributing to the increase in tourism. As the excavations and studies improve in recent years, the area around Mt. Kinkazan is focused on as a historic spot. As a result, it has been a National Historic Site as the ruins of Gifu Castle since 2011.

The present imitation Main Tower
A view from the top of the mountain

My Impression

I actually thought that the Gifu Castle was just on the top of mountain, until recently. After I visited and learned more about the castle, I found that it offered many perspectives. Especially, Nobunaga Oda received and improved it on his own way. He used the potential abilities of the castle to increase his authority. I think that something new about the castle will be discovered again soon to surprise us.

The replica of the wooden statue of Nobunaga Oda (Gifu Castle Museum)
The ruins of Nobunaga’s residence on the foot of the mountain

How to get There

If you want to visit there by car:
It is about 6 km away from Kagamigahara IC on Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway.
The Gifu Park offers a parking lot.
By public transportation, take the Gifu Bus from the No.12 or 13 bus stops at JR Gifu Station, and get off at the Gifu-Koen-Rekishi-Hakubutsukan-Mae bus stop.
To get JR Gifu Station from Tokyo: Get the Tokaido Shinkansen Super Express, and transfer to Tokaido Local Line at Nagoya Station.

Links and References

Gifu Castle castle tower, Gifu city official web site

That’s all.
Back to “Gifu Castle Part1”
Back to “Gifu Castle Part2”