立地と歴史～Location and History – ページ 53 – 日本200名城バイリンガル (Japan's top 200 castles and ruins)

143.Mino-Kaneyama Castle Part1

The home base of the brave Mori Clan

Location and History

Mori Clan’s Severe History

Mino-Kaneyama Castle was located in the eastern part of Mino Province, what is now modern day Gifu Prefecture. The castle was built on a mountain which was sandwiched between Kiso-gawa River in the north and Nakasendo Road in the south. That meant it was an important point for controlling transportation during the Sengoku Period when many battles occurred. It was said that it was first built by the Saito Clan in the first 16th Century, and called Uho Castle in its first stage. After that, it was featured since the Mori Clan owned the castle in 1565 and renamed it Kaneyama Castle. The Mori Clan worked under the three rulers; Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Ieyasu Tokugawa from the Sengoku to the first Edo Periods. If you look into the history of the clan, you will see how severe their lives were and what they did to survive.

The location of the castle

The relief map around the castle

Lords and Brothers are killed in battles one after another

Yoshinari Mori was the lord of the clan in the late 16th Century, who served Nobunaga Oda since Nobunaga did not own many territories. That’s why he was promoted to be the lord of Mino-Kaneyama Castle during Nobunaga’s reign of Mino Province. However, Yoshinari had to join many battles in other provinces through Nobunaga’s instructions. Yoshinari was killed in a battle against the Azai and Asakura Clans in Omi Province (now modern day Shiga Pref.) in 1570. Yoshinari’s son, Nagayoshi followed his father’s position and was also active under Nobunaga.

Yoshinari Mori drawn in the Ukiyo-e painting “Mori Sanzaemon Yoshinari”, attributed to Yoshiiku Ochiai, in 1867 *(licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

The illustration of Nagayoshi Mori, owned by Joshoji Temple (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

He was often referred to Daredevil Musashi (it is part of his official title as the governor of Musashi Province). His three young brothers became Nobunaga’s pages, one of whom was Ranmaru, a famous historical person in Japan. This is because the cast for him is always performed with that for Nobunaga in modern plays showing the Honnoji Incident in 1582 where Nobunaga was killed. Nobunaga actually showed favor to Ranmaru who became the 3rd lord of Mino-Kaneyama Castle after Yoshinari was promoted to be another lord. However, the truth is that all the three brothers were killed in the incident.

The picture of the Honnoji Incident, attributed to Nobukazu Yousai, in 1896 (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Ranmaru Mori drawn in the Ukiyo-e painting “Mori Ranmaru Nagayasu”, attributed to Yoshiiku Ochiai, in 1867 (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Only One Brother is left as Next Lord

After the Honnoji Incident, Nagayoshi went back to Mino-Kaneyama Castle and followed Hideyoshi Toyotomi who was Nobunaga’s successor. In 1584 when the Battle of Komaki-Nagakute between Hideyoshi and Ieyasu Tokugawa happened, Nagayoshi joined a feint attack. However, Ieyasu noticed this plan, so he then ambushed and suddenly attacked it. Unfortunately Nagayoshi was instantly killed by a gun shot. As a result, Only Tadamasa, the youngest brother would be left to became the next lord of the Mori Clan. Nagayoshi actually left a will before his death, stating that Tadamasa shouldn’t be the lord of Mino-Kaneyama Castle. His intention is uncertain, but it might have been because he did not want Tadamasa to join battles and risked being killed.

The folding screens of the Battle of Komaki-Nagakute, owned by Toyota City Museum of Local History (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Tadamasa followed Nagayoshi’s position which included the lord of Mino-Kaneyama Castle through Hideyoshi’s instructions. He worked under Hideyoshi, but changed his master to Ieyasu Tokugawa who killed his brother, but would be the next ruler after Hideyoshi died. There might have been other reasons for him to do this, but the main reason was to make a cool-headed decision in order to survive. He was finally promoted as the lord of Mimasaka Province which was a larger territory than before in 1603. He was transferred from Mino-Kaneyama Castle to another in 1600.

The statue of Tadamasa Mori at the ruins of Tsuyama Castle in Mimasaka Province

One of Shokuho Style Castles

As for Mino-Kaneyama Castle itself, it was improved as the Mori Clan was becoming more powerful. The castle had several enclosures on many tiers on the mountain. There were the Main Enclosure on the top, the Barbican Enclosure on the mid slope, and the Second and Third Enclosures between them. It was one of the typical Shokuho style castles which Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and their retainers built around Japan at that time. The style had three major features; building stone walls, stone foundations for buildings and roof tiles. These items were originally used for temples, high-class government houses and Imperial Palaces before that time. Nobunaga started to use them on his and his retainers’ castles to show his authority and power similar to his Azuchi Castle. The enclosures of Mino-Kaneyama Castle were surrounded by stone walls. At least, some buildings on the Main Enclosure were built on stone foundations using roof tiles. However, the castle was abandoned after Tadamasa moved to another castle in 1600.

The imaginary drawing of Azuchi Castle, exhibited by Gifu Castle Museum

The imaginary drawing of Mino-Kaneyama Castle, exhibited by Sengoku Yamashiro Museum

To be continued in “Mino-Kaneyama Castle Part2”

143.美濃金山城　その１

勇猛な森氏の本拠地

立地と歴史

森氏の過酷な歴史

美濃金山城は、現在の岐阜県にあたる美濃国の東部にありました。この城は、北側を木曽川に、南側を中山道に挟まれた山の上にありました。多くの戦いが起こった戦国時代には、この場所は交通をコントロールできる重要地点でした。この城は最初は１６世紀初頭に斎藤氏によって築かれたと言われています。初期の頃には、烏峰（うほう）城と呼ばれていました。その後、1565年に森氏が城主となってからより注目されるようになり、金山（かねやま）城と改名されました。森氏は、戦国時代から江戸時代初期までに３人の天下人、織田信長、豊臣秀吉、徳川家康に仕えました。森氏の歴史を見てみると、彼らの厳しい生き様と、その中でどうやって生き残ってきたのかがわかります。

城の位置

城周辺の起伏地図

当主や兄弟が次々に戦死

森可成（よしなり）は１６世紀後半の森家の当主で、織田信長がまだ一地方の大名だった頃から仕えていました。そのため、信長が美濃国を手に入れたときに美濃金山城の城主に抜擢されたのです。しかし可成は、信長の命令により他国での多くの戦いにも従軍しなければなりませんでした。そして可成は、1570年に近江国（現在の滋賀県）での浅井・朝倉連合軍との戦いの中で戦死してしまいます。可成の息子、長可（ながよし）が父の跡を継ぎ、彼もまた信長の下で活躍しました。

浮世絵に描かれた森可成、落合芳幾作「森三左エ門可成」、1867年 *(licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

森長可肖像画、常照寺所蔵 *(licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

長可は、その勇猛さから鬼武蔵（官位として武蔵守を称していたことに由来）と呼ばれました。彼の三人の弟は信長の小姓となり、その内の一人、乱丸（蘭丸）は日本の歴史の中でも有名人です。信長が殺された1582年の本能寺の変を描く現代のドラマでは、信長役とともに、乱丸役も必ず演じられるからです。信長は実際乱丸を気に入っていたようで、長可が別の領主（信濃川中島）となった後、乱丸を３代目の美濃金山城主としました。しかし事実として、その小姓となった兄弟は三人とも本能寺の変で討ち死にしてしまいました。

『真書太閤記　本能寺焼討之図』楊斎延一作、1896年 (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

浮世絵に描かれた森乱丸、落合芳幾作「森蘭丸長康」、1867年 (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

最後に一人だけ残った跡継ぎ

本能寺の変後、長可は美濃金山城に戻ってきて、信長の後継者となった豊臣秀吉に従いました。1584年、秀吉と徳川家康との間で小牧長久手の戦いが起こりました。長可は遊撃部隊に加わったのですが、家康はそれを察知し、密かに待ち伏せし奇襲攻撃をかけたのです。不幸にも長可は、銃撃により戦死してしまいました。その結果、森家の跡継ぎとしては、一番下の弟である忠政（ただまさ）だけが残ったのです。長可はその死の前、遺言を残しておりその中で、忠政は美濃金山城主になってはらなないと書いていました。彼の真の意図は不明ですが、忠政にこれ以上戦いに参加して死ぬことがないように配慮したとも考えられます。

「小牧長久手合戦図屏風」豊田市郷土資料館蔵 *(licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

忠政は結局、秀吉の指示により、美濃金山城城主を含む長可の地位を継承しました。彼は秀吉に仕えましたが、彼の兄を殺したが秀吉死後の次の天下人と目される徳川家康に主君を変えました。この決断にはいくつもの理由があったでしょうが、生き残るためには冷静な判断が必要だったのです。1603年、彼はついに美作国の国主となり、それまでよりずっと大きい領地を手に入れました。ちなみに、既に1600年には美濃金山城から他の領地（兄の長可がいた信濃川中島）に移されていました。

織豊系城郭の一つ

美濃金山城そのものについては、森氏によって改築され、強化されていました。この城があった山には階段状にいくつもの曲輪がありました。頂上には本丸が、中腹には出丸があり、その間には二の丸と三の丸がありました。この城は、当時信長、秀吉とその部下たちが日本中で築いた典型的な織豊系城郭の一つでした。このタイプの城には主に３つの特徴がありました。石垣を作ること、建物を礎石の上に築くこと、屋根に瓦を葺くことです。それ以前、これらの物は寺院、高級官庁や皇居にしか使われていませんでした。信長は、彼が築いた安土城に見られるように、彼と部下たちの城でそれらを使い始め、権威と権力を見せつけたのです。美濃金山城の曲輪も石垣で囲まれていました。少なくとも本丸の建物は、礎石の上に建てられ、屋根瓦が乗っていました。しかし、1600年に忠政が他の城に移された後に廃城となってしまいました。

「美濃金山城その２」に続きます。

144.Ogaki Castle Part1

A castle which might have been a crucial battle field

Location and History

Battlefield of Crucial Event

The Battle of Sekigahara have been one of the most crucial events in the Japanese History. The East squad led by Ieyasu Tokugawa and the West squad led by Mitsunari Ishida battled each other at Sekigahara Field in 1600 before the Tokugawa Shogunate was established. Most Japanese people know about Skigahara, but what about Ogaki Castle? In fact, the castle might have become the battle field of the crucial event if the situation changed (if Mitsunari decided to stay in that castle).

The Portrait of Ieyasu Tokugawa, attributed to Tanyu Kano, owned by Osaka Castle Museum (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

The portrait of Mitsunari Ishida､ owned by Hajime Sugiyama (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Ogaki Castle as Important Point

Ogaki Castle was located in the western part of Mino Province (now Gifu Prefecture) connecting to western Japan trough Sekigahara. It is uncertain when the castle was first built, but it became important as the country had been unified in the late 16th Century during the Sengoku Period. The ruler, Hideyoshi Toyotomi said “Ogaki Castle is an important point” and actually sent his relatives to the castle as its lords. The castle was built on a plain land, but surrounded by several moats and rivers, which looked like a Water Castle.

The location of the castle

After Hideyoshi died in 1598, a political conflict began between Ieyasu Tokugawa and Mitsunari Ishida. Mitsunari doubted Ieyasu would take over the power of Hideyoshi’s young son, Hideyori who was still the ruler of Japan. Ieyasu went to eastern Japan to conquer the Uesugi Clan who were against Ieyasu in June 1600. Mitsunari raised an army to defeat Ieyasu in July in western Japan. The East and West squads were expected to fight in central Japan including Ogaki Castle and Sekigahara. Mitsunari stayed in Ogaki Castle as his stronghold and built several battle castles, such as Nangusan Castle, on the mountains behind Ogaki Castle for his allies to stay. He was waiting for Ieyasu’s attack at the castle doing as best as he could. He also built large mountain castles such as Matsuoyama Castle around Sekigahara Field to call for a great warlord, Terumoto Mori and his master, Hideyori to support him. If his plans came true, Ieyasu might have been defeated because Hideyori was still Ieyasu’s master as well.

The portrait of Hideyori Toyotomi, owned by Yogenin Temple (*licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

Why did Mitsunari leave Castle?

However, on September 15th, Mitsunari suddenly got away from the castle, fought against Ieyasu at Sekigahara Field, and defeated in a day. Why did Mitsunari cancel his own plan and choose the field battle he probably dislike but Ieyasu was more familiar with? The long-accepted theory says Mitsunari noticed Ieyasu tried to skip Ogaki Castle and attack western Japan directly. Mitsunari and his allies were one jump ahead of Ieyasu, and took up their positions at the field. They fought well in the first part, but finally got defeated by the betrayal of Hideaki Kobayakawa, one of their allies, during the battle. This story is dramatic, so Japanese people believed it for a long time. However, it was first seen in war chronicles in the Edo Period, about 60 years later than the actual battle. I also think the reason above is too weak for Mitsunari to leave the castle.

The portrait of Hideaki Kobayakawa, owned by Kodaiji Temple (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Some new studies may tell us the real reasons why Mitsuhide left Ogaki Castle. According to these studies, Hideaki Kobayakawa was expected to support the East quad earlier than what the previous theory says. Hideaki occupied Matsuoyama Castle and moved to Sekigahara Field before the battle against Mitsunari’s plan. If he stayed, he could have been attacked on both sides. Mitsunari might have noticed Hideaki’s movement, so this may be why he quickly moved to Sekigahara to avoid the worst situation. One theory says Mitsunari tried to get to another mountain castle, called Tama Castle, to fight against Ieyasu and Hideaki, but was unfortunately defeated around Sekigahara Field. After the battle, some Mitunari’s retainers still stayed in Ogaki Castle, however, they were outnumbered. They surrendered after being besieged by the East squad for about a week.

The folding screens of the Sekigahara Battle, owned by Sekigahara Town History and Folklore Museum *(licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)*

Ogaki as City of Water

After the Battle of Sekigahara, Ogaki Castle was still recognized as an important point connecting eastern and western Japan. Several different lords governed and improved the castle. For example, the Ishikawa Clan completed the Outer Moat and the Matsudaira Clan renovated the four-level Main Tower. The tower was in the Main Enclosure which is connected with the Second Enclosure where the Main Hall for the lord was. Both enclosures were surrounded by the Inner Moat. Overall, the tripled moats surrounded the castle. In addition, the castle town was consolidated with the castle by waterways and rivers. That’s why Ogaki City has been called The city of water. Since 1635, the Toda Clan governed the castle and the area was called the Ogaki Domain until the end of the Edo Period.

The four-level Main Tower of Ogaki Castle, from the signboard at the site

Part of the illustration of Ogaki Castle in Mino Province, exhibited by the National Archives of Japan

The center of Ogaki Castle, from the illustration above

The statue of Ujikane Toda, the founder of the clan in the Ogaki Domain

To be continued in “Ogaki Castle Part2”