立地と歴史～Location and History – ページ 47 – 日本200名城バイリンガル (Japan's top 200 castles and ruins)

157.Hachimanyama Castle Part1

The castle of Hidetsugu Toyotomi, the tragic Kanpaku

Location and History

Twisted Life by his uncle, Ruler Hideyoshi

Hachimanyama Castle was located beside Lake Biwa in Omi Province which is now Shiga Prefecture. The castle was built by Hidetsugu Toyotomi, the tragic Kanpaku ( the chief adviser to the Emperor). He was a nephew of Hideyoshi Toyotomi who was the ruler of Japan in the late 15th Century. His mother was Hideyoshi’s older sister called Tomo. He was twisted around Hideyoshi’s little finger throughout his life, but left this castle and its castle town which is now Omi-Hachiman City.

The location of the castle

Hidetsugu was born in 1568 during the Sengoku Period when his uncle, Hideyoshi worked under a great warlord, Nobunaga Oda. In 1572 when he was 4 years old, he was adopted by Hideyoshi to the Miyabe Clan in Omi Province, which Hideyoshi wanted to gain over to Nobunaga’s side. It was common for warriors at that time to ally with others, but in the case of Hideyoshi, he had to send his nephew because he had no children. After that, Hidetsugu was adopted again to the Miyoshi Clan in Shikoku Island where Nobunaga and Hideyoshi aimed to invade. However, the situation changed after Nobunaga died in the Honnoji Incident in 1582. Hideyoshi intended to be the ruler, so he wanted Hidetsugu to be one of his commanding officer. Hidetsugu fought hard for his uncle in many battles although he failed in one of them called the Battle of Nagakute in 1584. In 1585 when Hideyoshi was appointed Kanpaku as the ruler, Hidetsuku was given a large territory in Omi Province. Hidetsugu built a new castle as his home base with instructions from Hideyoshi, called Hachimanyama Castle.

The portrait of Hidetsugu Toyotomi, owned by Zuisenji Temple (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

The Portrait of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, attributed to Mitsunobu Kano, owned by Kodaiji Temple (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

He develops new Castle, Castle Town, and Waterways

The mountain, which the castle was built, had originally been often called Hachimanyama or Hachiman Mountain, because the Himure-Hachimangu Shrine had been on the top of the mountain. The first thing to do for building the castle was to move the shrine to the foot. The mountain was 294m high and 180m above from the foot. Its slopes were very steep, which was good for protecting the castle. The Main Enclosure was built on the top where it is said the Main Tower and Main Hall were built. The Second, the Northern and the Western Enclosures were also built on the ridges spread from the top. These enclosures were all surrounded by stone walls. The Barbican Enclosure was also built below the Western Enclosure. In addition, the luxury residence for Hidetsugu was built at the foot because the top was not convenient for living. The long and straight Main Route like Azuchi Castle was also built in front of it.

The imaginary drawing of Hachimanyama Castle, from the signboard at the site, adding the red letters in English

Hidetsugu also developed the castle town beside the mountain by moving the merchants in the castle town of the abandoned Azuchi Castle to the new developed area. The city area was built in a grid pattern like modern cities to improve business and living. Hidetsugu built the Hachiman-bori Moat, connected to Lake Biwa, between the castle and town. The moat was basically for defense, but it was also used for water transportation to boost commerce. The town has been prospering even after the castle was abandoned.

The illustration of Hachimanyama Castle and Town, exhibited by Omi Hachiman City Archives Museum (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Short Glory before his Harakiri Incident

Hidetsugu moved to a much larger territory and finally became Kanpaku as the successor of Hideyoshi in 1590 . This was because Hideyoshi’s real or adopted male children all died young. Hidetsugu communicated well with many nobles and lords to be the next ruler after Hideyoshi. However, the situation changed again when Hideyoshi had his last son, Hideyori in 1583. In 1585, Hidetsugu was suddenly summoned by Hideyoshi’s officers due to the suspicion of his rebellion against Hideyoshi. He was sent to Mt. Koyasan, without any meeting with Hideyoshi, and He was forced to commit Harakiri. (ritual suicide by disembowelment with a sword.). Hideyoshi also ordered to execute almost all of Hidetsugu’s wives and children as offenders. Many relative nobles and lords were also punished. Hidetsugu’s mother, Tomo who was Hideyoshi’s sister felt deep sorrow, then established the Zuiryuji Temple alone in Kyoto to pray for Hidetsugu and his family.

The picture of Hidetsugu Toyotomi at Mt. Koyasan, attributed to Yoshitoshi Tsukioka (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

The present Zuiryuji Temple at Hachimanyama Castle Ruins

However, no evidence for Hidetsugu’s rebellion was found. Some people said the incident happened for that he was called the Killer Kanpaku, which meant he liked killing, but it was also quite uncertain. After all, it seemed that Hidetaugu was a victim of Hideyoshi who finally became a crazy dictator and initiated a conflict between officers and lords. Hideyoshi even ordered to destroy Hachimanyama Castle followed by the Kyogoku Clan after Hidetsugu. The clan had to move to another castle, called Otsu Castle. There is an interesting story about Hikone Castle, whose Main Tower was moved from Otsu Castle. Toyotomi-style roof tiles covered with golden leaf were found at Hikone Castle which the Tokugawa Shogunate built. Some people think it was impossible as because they were against each other. Some historians speculate that the Main Tower or other buildings Hidetsugu built might have been moved or used to build Otsu Castle by Kyogoku Clan and finally brought to Hikone Castle.

The Main Tower of Hikone Castle, which was originally moved from Otsu Castle

To be continued in “Hachimanyama Castle Part2”

157.八幡山城　その１

悲劇の関白、豊臣秀次の城

立地と歴史

叔父の秀吉に翻弄された人生

八幡山城は、現在の滋賀県にあたる近江国の琵琶湖沿いにありました。この城は、悲劇の関白とされる豊臣秀次によって築かれました。彼は、１５世紀後半の天下人であった豊臣秀吉の甥であり、彼の母親ともが秀吉の姉でした。彼の一生は秀吉に翻弄され続けましたが、この城と、現在の近江八幡市となる城下町を残したのです。

城の位置

秀次は、戦国時代の1568年に生まれました。その当時、叔父の秀吉は有力戦国大名の織田信長に仕えていました。1572年、秀次が４歳のとき、秀吉により近江国の宮部氏のところに養子に出されました。宮部氏を織田信長の味方に引き入れるためです。これは当時の武将にとって普通のやり方でした。しかし、秀吉の場合は自分の子どもがいなかったので自分の甥を送り込んだのです。その後秀次は、信長と秀吉が侵攻しようとしていた四国にいた三好氏に再び養子に出されました。ところが、1582年に起こった本能寺の変により信長が殺され、状況が劇的に変化し始めます。秀吉は自分が天下人になろうと画策し、今度は秀次に自分の部将となるよう求めました。秀次は、叔父の期待に応えるため懸命に戦い、1584年の長久手の戦いでは手痛い敗北を喫したりしました。1585年に秀吉が天下人として関白に任官したとき、秀次は近江国に大きな所領を与えられました。秀次は、秀吉の指導もあり、本拠地として新しい城を築きました。それが八幡山城でした。

豊臣秀次肖像画部分、瑞泉寺像 *(licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

豊臣秀吉肖像画、加納光信筆、高台寺蔵 (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

城、城下町、水路を新しく建設

この城が築かれた山はもともと八幡山と呼ばれていました。日牟禮（ひむれ）八幡宮が山頂にあったからです。よって、城を築くのに最初にやったことはその神社を山麓に移すことでした（もともと山麓にも建物があり、そこに統合したという説もあります）。この山は標高が294ｍで、麓からの比高は180ｍありました。そして非常に急峻であり、城を守るには適していました。本丸が山頂に築かれ、そこには天守や御殿があったと言われています。そして二の丸、北の丸、西の丸が、山頂から広がった峰に沿って築かれました。これらの曲輪は総石垣造りでした。また、出丸が西の丸の下の方に築かれました。それに加えて、山麓には秀次のための豪華な御殿が築かれました。山頂は居住には適さなかったからです。その御殿の前には、安土城のように長く真っ直ぐな大手道が作られました。

秀次はまた、山の傍らに城下町を建設するために、廃城となった安土城の城下町の商人を新しい町に移しました。市街地は、近代都市のように碁盤の目状に区切られ、商売や居住の利便性が高まりました。秀次は、城と町の間に、琵琶湖とつながる八幡堀を開削しました。この堀は基本的には防衛のためでしたが、水上交通にも使われ、その結果商業が栄えたのです。この町は、城が廃城となった後でも繁栄を続けました。

近江八幡惣絵図、近江八幡市立資料館蔵 *(licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

短い栄光と秀次切腹事件

秀次は、1590年に秀吉の跡継ぎとしてついに関白となり、更に大きな領地（尾張国、本拠地清州城）に移っていきました。これは、秀吉の実子や養子であった男子が全て若くして亡くなってしまったからです。秀次は、多くの貴族や大名たちとよく交際し、秀吉の後の次の天下人たろうとしました。ところが、1593年に秀吉の最後の子、秀頼が誕生すると、再び状況が激変します。1595年、秀頼は突然、秀吉の奉行たちに秀吉への謀反の疑いにより召喚されました。そして、秀吉と会うこともないまま、高野山に送られ、切腹を強要されたのです（自らの意思という説もあります）。秀吉は、秀次のほとんど全ての妻たちと子どもたちを罪人とて処刑するよう命じました。秀次と関わりがあった多くの貴族や大名たちも罰せられました。秀次の母であり、秀吉の姉でもあったともは悲嘆にくれ、一人で京都に瑞龍寺を設立し、秀次とその家族の菩提を弔いました。

高野山での秀次を描いた絵画、月岡芳年作 *(licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

ところが、秀次による謀反の証拠は一切見つかりませんでした。この事件が起こったのは、秀次が殺生関白と呼ばれるようなことをしたからだという話もありますが、これも極めて不確かです（名刀で辻斬りをしたとか、あるいは単に狩りが禁止されている期間にそれをやったという類いのものまで）。結局のところ、最後は狂気の独裁者と化した秀吉の犠牲者となったか、奉行や大名たちの争いに巻き込まれたということのようです。秀吉は、秀次の後、京極氏が引き継いでいた八幡山城の破壊さえ命じました。京極氏は、別の城である大津城に移らざるを得ませんでした。ここに、大津城から天守が移されたという彦根城に関して興味深い話があります。徳川幕府が建てた彦根城から、金箔が押された豊臣形式の瓦が発見されたのです。徳川と豊臣は対立していたので、そんなことは本来あり得ないはずです。しかし歴史家の中には、秀次が建てた天守か他の建物が京極氏によって大津城に移されて使用されていたものが、最後は彦根城にもたらされたのではないかと考えている人もいます。

「八幡山城その２」に続きます。

140.Genbao Castle Part1

The stronghold of Katsuie Shibata in the Battle of Shizugatake

Location and History

A castle built against Hideyoshi Hashiba

Genbao Castle was located on the border between Echizen and Omi Provinces, which are modern day Fukui and Shiga Prefectures. It was built by Katsuie Shibata who owned Echizen Province when the Battle of Shizugatake happened in 1583. After the ruler, Nobunaga Oda died in the Honnoji Incident in 1582, his senior vassals, Katsuie and Hideyohsi Hashiba argued against each other over the initiative. Hideyoshi invaded the northern Omi Province, which Katsuie had owned, and started to build many battle castles near the border of Echizen Province which was the home base of Katsuie. Katsuie also confronted Hideyoshi by building his own battle castles around the border. Genbao Castle was the center of these battle castles and Katsuie’s stronghold. Part of its name Genba comes from an official post.”Genba” is the name given to warriors who are highly respected, but it is uncertain whose official name it came from.

The location of the castle

The portrait of Katsuie Shibata, from the signboard at the site of Kitanosho Castle Ruins

Enclosures on Mountain Top

The castle was built on the top of Nakauchio Mountain which was 445m high and also the border. It was also able to control the road over a mountain pass between the provinces, called Tone-toge near the castle. The enclosures of the castle were built on the top of the ridge from the north to the south. The front of the castle was open to the south, the mountain pass and Omi Province where Hideyoshi invaded. Because of that, the southern side of the castle was strongly protected with two enclosures in line. On the other hand, the northern side had the largest enclosure which was used as a military post. The Main Enclosure was the center of the castle, where Katsuie probably lived. It had a Main Tower or large turret, and attached three projecting small enclosures called Umadashi or Overhang for defense.

The relief map around the castle

The layout of the castle, from the signboard at the site, adding red letters

Sakuma Morimasa’s offensive vs Hideyoshi’s counterattack

On the 16th of April 1583, Katsuie’s ally, Nobutaka Oda fought an army at Gifu Castle in Mino Province against Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi went to Mino Province to crush it on April 17th. Katsuie thought it was a good opportunity to attack Hideyoshi’s side. Morimasa Sakuma, who worked under Katsuie, moved onward to capture some of Hideyoshi’s battle castles on April 19th. However, that was Hideyoshi’s trap. Morimasa succeeded in capturing a battle castle, and wanted to get one more called Shizugatake Fortress. Then, Hideyoshi immediately got back to his original position and counterattacked Morimasa on April 20th. Katsuie and Morimasa were finally defeated by Hideyoshi. An old biography about Hideyoshi called Hoan Taikoki, published in 1626 by Hoan Oze, says Morimasa’s reckless actions caused his destruction although Katsuie advised him to withdraw after his first attack. Many Japanese people have believed it for a very long time.

The picture of the Morimasa Sakuma, attributed to Nobukazu Yousai, in 1893 (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Is Most Important Factor Toshiie Maeda’s withdrawal?

Recent studies show Morimasa’s actions were not critical. Toshiie Maeda, another ally of Katsuie, who would be a great lord after Hideyoshi became the ruler, eventually withdrew without Katsuie’s permission at the same time as Hideyoshi’s counterattack. It was the decisive trigger for Hideyoshi’s victory and Katsuie’s lost. Why didn’t Hoan describe this most important factor? The answer is that Hoan was a dependent of the Maeda Clan. The action of Toshiie Maeda, the founder of the clan, was probably promised to Hideyoshi, but later people would think it was a betrayal. It was thought Hoan was not able to record this fact which may be a shame of Maeda, therefore he blamed another person for the lost. Genbao Castle was strong, but was meant to work closely with other battle castles. Katsuie had to withdraw from the castle without a battle when his ally gave up on the duty.

The portrait of Toshiie Maeda, private owned (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

To be continued in “Genbao Castle Part2”