51.Azuchi Castle Part2 (draft)

The ruins of Azuchi Castle have become a National special historic site. There is a square in front of them, however, there were water moats and stone walls in the past. Azuchi Castle was located between Kyoto and Gifu Castle which was the previous home of Nobunaga Oda. Therefore, he could hurry to both sites immediately. In addition, he created the network of water transportation on Biwa Lake, including Azuchi and several his retainers’ castles. This article will introduce the tour course of the ruins while mixing with the mysteries of the castle in the previous article.

Features

The ruins of Azuchi Castle have become a National special historic site. There is a square in front of them, however, there were water moats and stone walls in the past. Azuchi Castle was located between Kyoto and Gifu Castle which was the previous home of Nobunaga Oda. Therefore, he could easily access both sites immediately. In addition, he created the network for water transportation on Biwa Lake, including Azuchi and several of his retainers’ castles. This article will introduce the path of the ruins while incorporating with the mysteries of the castle in the previous article.

The diorama of Azuchi Castle, exhibited by Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum

Walking up on the Main Route

Before climbing the route, let us check out other historical items around the main gate ruins. They are the four gate ruins, including the main gate. Three of the four gates had a simple design which was not strong. The eastern gate and central gate (which was the main gate) had a simple design. Meanwhile, there were a simple gate, and the other had complex design, in line in the western place. You can see both ruins with the remaining stone walls. You can pass straight through the simple gate while you need to turn twice to pass the complex one. So, why did Nobunaga build the two different gates so closely together?

The ruins of the main gate
The ruins of the eastern gate
The ruins of the western gates (the complex one on the left and the simple one on the right)

Let us go back to the main route and walk on it. You need to pay an admission fee to Sokenji Temple who owns the ruins. Then, you can walk up on the impressive stone steps towards the top. The route may still make the current visitors feel special because they can see the route. However, the past visitors must have seen the main tower of the castle above.

The toll gate
The stone steps of the route
The imaginary drawing of the main route of Azuchi Castle, exhibited by Gifu Castle

As you walk, you will see several ruins of Nobunaga’s retainers’ residences on both sides. For example, there were Hideyoshi Hashiba’s residence on the left, and Toshiie Maeda’s one on the right. However, the owners’ names are only speculative, and some believe it came from the Edo Period, not the same period as the castle. In addition, Hideyoshi’s residence ruins consist of two tiers. Some argue that the two tiers were from different residences from each other. They speculate the Oda family might have renovated them and used them as their government office after Nobunaga died and the main tower of the castle was eventually burned down.

The ruins of Hideyoshi Hashiba’s residence
The signboard of the residence
The ruins of Toshiie Maeda’s residence

You will eventually see the main hall of Sokenji Temple, which was said to have been the residence of Ieyasu Tokugawa who was Nobunaga’s ally. However, as mentioned above, it’s only a speculation. According to records, he stayed in another temple when he came to Azuchi.

The main hall of Sokenji Temple (the former residence of Ieyasu Tokugawae)

The straight route eventually zigzags on the way which may have been designed for the defensive purposes. The current stone steps were restored in the present time, using original stones. Some of them are stones from Buddha statues, which are stated in Japanese letters “石仏” beside them. The builders of the castle were able to get enough stones from mountains nearby. So, why did they use the stone statues in these prominent areas?

One of the stone statues which are used in the route, Notice the donation cup with “Suntory” labeled on it next to the sign

The route will eventually reach a plain area which is called the ruins of Nobutada Oda’s residence. This place was used as the temple’s facility after the castle was abandoned. That’s why there are very few remaining items of the castle. However, historians speculate that this place must have been reinforced by stone walls. This is because this is the crossroad of the important routes of the castle, the main route, the side route, the route towards the lake, and the one towards the center.

The ruins of Nobutada Oda’s residence

Going to Center of the Castle

Next, let us go to the center of the castle. After climbing the stone steps for a while, you will eventually see the ruins of a great gate. This is the ruins of Kurogane-mon, which mean “iron gate”, to the center. The ruins still have a square space, called “Masugata”, built using huge stones, which looks strong. “Shincho-koki”, which is the most reliable biography of Nobunaga says it is “Omote-no-gomon” which means “front gate”. Therefore, it was definitely the front gate of the castle.

The ruins of Kurogane-mon Gate

After entering the gate ruins, you will eventually see a lot of stone walls around. One of the breakthrough points of Azuchi Castle was the construction of these stone walls for buildings on them. The builders of the castle collected huge number of stones around and used larger ones at the center. The stones, which are natural or roughly processed, were piled up high to become the stone walls in a method called “Nozura-zumi”. They look unstable but are joined together securely. The stone craftsmen, who could operate the Nozura-zumi method, would later be called, “Ano-shu”.

The stone walls of the second enclosure, Notice the large gaps between the stones

Looking around these great stone walls, you will eventually pass the ruins of the second and third gates one after the other. Then, you will arrive at Ninomaru-higashi-damari which means “eastern gathering place of the second enclosure”. The main enclosure is on the right (to east) and the second enclosure is on the left (to west).

The Ninomaru-higashi-damari gathering place

There is the grave of Nobunaga Oda at the second enclosure to the left, which Hideyoshi built the following year of the Honnnoji Incident. The route to the grave in the enclosure was also built at that time. Historians speculate the place, where the grave was built, had been the residence of Nobunaga and his family. If you look at the top of the grave, you will notice a simple stone, which is not appropriate for the great lord. This is because the top of the graves of such great warlords are usually built like a tower. The stone may look like the Bonsan stone which would be the icon of Nobunaga. Noone knows if the stone is authentic, but at least, the builder would have known about it.

The grave of Nobunaga Oda
The stone on the top

Going back to the Ninomaru-higashi-damari gathering place, you can now go to the main enclosure. The place was originally called “Oshirasu” which means “waiting area”. The area to the enclosure is empty now. However, according to the Shincho-koki biography, there was another gate, and also a hall called “Nanden”. The hall was thought to include waiting rooms, agent rooms, and meeting rooms. That may have been one of the origins for typical castle halls like the second enclosure hall of Nijo Castle.

Thin would have been the Nanden hall ahead, there would have been a gate in front
The aerial photo of the second enclosure main hall of Nijo Castle (Google Map)

The main enclosure only has few stone foundations, some trees, and the stools for visitors. There must have been the hall or room for the royal visit somewhere inside. There are also the stone walls of the third enclosure just behind the trees, where another hall for the guest was built. The enclosure must have been a good viewing spot; however, the current visitors unfortunately cannot access this area.

The current main enclosure
The center of the diorama above, showing the second enclosure, the main tower ruins, the main enclosure, and the third enclosure (from the left to the right), exhibited by Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum

204.佐和山城 その2

今回この記事では、彦根駅から佐和山城跡まで徒歩でいく場合の道順をご紹介します。城跡がある佐和山は、彦根駅の東口方面となります。改札から東口に出る途中に、石田三成と佐和山上のディスプレイがあって、気分が盛り上がります。東口から出たすぐのところに佐和山城跡の標識があります。

ここに行くには

今回この記事では、彦根駅から佐和山城跡まで徒歩でいく場合の道順をご紹介します。城跡がある佐和山は、彦根駅の東口方面となります。改札から東口に出る途中に、石田三成と佐和山上のディスプレイがあって、気分が盛り上がります。東口から出たすぐのところに佐和山城跡の標識があります。

彦根駅内の石田三成と佐和山城のディスプレイ
彦根駅東口
東口前の標識

駅から見て、駅前通りを左(北)に進み、突き当たった所を左に曲がります。案内版もあります。車道は高架になって鉄道を越えますが、われわれは脇道を進みます。

駅前通り
通りの突き当たり
脇道を歩いていきます

踏切を渡ると、また案内板がありますので、右に曲がって高架をくぐります。すると、道が二又に分かれますので、左の方に進みます。わかりづらいですが、左側のポールの上に案内が表示されています。

踏切
右に曲がったところです
二又に分かれる地点

そこからは、水路に沿って道が進むので、迷うことはないと思います。右手に佐和山も見えてきます。

水路に沿って進みます
佐和山

そのうちに公園らしい風景になってきて、佐和山城跡の看板が見えます。東山公園です。天守の模型や駐車場もあって、着いたような感覚になりますが、城跡はもう少し先です。

道は公園に至ります
「佐和山城跡」の看板
東山公園

先に進むときれいな道に出ます。井伊家の菩提寺、清凉寺・龍潭寺が並んでいます。そして、城跡登り口(ハイキングコース入口)に到着です。

お寺が並ぶ道
清涼寺
城跡登り口(ハイキングコース入口)周辺

特徴、見どころ

ハイキングコースに挑む!

佐和山城は歴史が長いので、山の峰上に多くの曲輪(区画)が作られました。城跡にはハイキングコース設定されていますが、カバーしているのは、曲輪群の一部です。山はお寺の所有になっているので、コースを外れないようにしましょう。コースの最初の部分は、城の北側を走っていた昔の街道と重なっているようです。

佐和山城城跡マップ、「佐和山城跡のご案内」彦根観光協会パンフレットより引用

それでは、ハイキングコースに進みましょう。ハイキングコースは、龍潭寺の境内を通るので、時間制限があります。石田三成像がお出迎えです。そして、寺の山門を入っていきます。

ハイキングコース入口
ハイキングコースの注意書き
石田三成像
龍潭寺山門

山に入るときに見える谷の部分は自然物に見えますが、敵の移動を防ぐための竪堀だったようです。自然の谷を利用して、更に加工したのかもしれません。

山の入口にある竪堀

少し登ると、切通しに着きます。街道が山の峰を抜けていくためと、城にとっては端っこを守る意味もあったのでしょう。関ケ原の戦い後の佐和山城攻めのときには、この道の両側から東軍が攻めてきたそうです。

切通し

ここからハイキングコースは山の峰を登っていきます。城としては「西の丸」に当たり、3段の曲輪で構成されていました。各段の間には、それぞれ竪堀も掘られていました。東軍に攻められた時には、河瀬織部という三成の家臣が守っていたそうです。

峰の上を登っていきます
西の丸上段に残る竪堀

まず、下段の曲輪に着きます。「塩硝櫓跡」という標柱があり、その後ろには大穴が開いています。説明パネルには「塩櫓」とありましたので、塩か火薬の蔵だったのでしょう。

西の丸下段曲輪(塩硝櫓跡)
説明パネルには「塩櫓」とあります

登り続けると、「西の丸」の説明パネルがある上段曲輪に着きます。上の方に、土塁の高まりのようなものがあるので、行ってみましょう。土塁が壁のようになっています。そこから見ると、上段曲輪がお見通しです。どんな風に守っていたかがわかります。

「西の丸」説明パネル
背後にある土塁の高まり
土塁の壁
土塁から上段曲輪を見ています

本丸に到着!

いよいよ本丸に行きますが、そこまでは本当にハイキングです。本丸には残念ながら、お城らしさは全然ありません。城の石碑があるくらいです。彦根城築城のときに、建物・石垣ごと持ち去られてしまったのですから仕方ないでしょう。

本丸にある石碑

しかし、山麓からの高さは130メートルくらいありますので、景色はすばらしいです。彦根城もばっちり見えます(本丸から西方)。

本丸から見える彦根城

北の方の景色もすばらしく、琵琶湖がきれいです。

本丸から見える琵琶湖

登ってきたのと反対側に「南口降り口」の案内板があります。城跡マップ(ハイキングコース)には、別の登山口の案内はありませんが、マップ上の「隅石垣」の方向なので、そちらに行ってみましょう。

「南口降り口」の案内板
本丸南側の地図、滋賀県教育委員会「埋蔵文化財活用ブックレット5(近江の城郭1) 佐和山城跡」より引用

本丸を下ると、少し平らなところに出ます。「石垣」という標柱がありますが、「隅石垣」のことを言っているのでしょう。そちらの方向に行くと、四角い大石が2つあります。これが隅石垣で、本丸石垣隅の基礎部分と考えられます。よく残っていたと思いますが、埋もれていたか、取り出すのが危険だったのか、どうなのでしょう。

「石垣」の標柱
隅石垣

もう一つ下るとまた平らな場所があって、その先が「千貫井」です。山の上にあるので「千貫」の価値があるほど貴重な井戸だったのでしょう。それで長い籠城戦にも耐えられたのです。しかし、現場は荒れている感じがします。戦前(第二次大戦前)に掘り返されてしまった影響もあるのでしょう(「近江佐和山城・彦根城」による情報)。

千貫井

千貫井から戻ったところの平地が、ハイキングコースの最後のポイント「登城道」のようです。近くには「女郎谷」という案内もあります。関ケ原後のこの城での戦いのとき、本丸には石田三成の父・正継たちがいて、よく敵を防いでいました。ところが敵に内応する者が出て、天守は炎上、正継たちは自害しました。そして逃げ惑う子女たちが身を投げたのが、この先にある女郎谷だということです。

「登城道」と思われる場所
「女郎谷」の案内

ハイキングコースは「登城道」から同じ道を戻る設定になっているので、コース入口に戻ります。

プラスアルファにチャレンジ!

駅への帰り道に他のスポットにも行ってみましょう。まず「石田三成屋敷跡」があります。来るときに通った東山公園のところを曲がって、山の方に行きます。下から見た「佐和山城跡」看板の裏を通っていきます。

東山公園、この手前を左(山の方)に曲がります
城跡看板の裏を通ります

しばらく行くと、石垣が見えてきます。城跡への案内板がありますが、ちょっと変です。その近くに「石田三成屋敷跡」の石碑がありました。例の石垣は史跡ではないようです。もしあったら彦根城に持っていかれてしまったでしょうから。

謎の石垣
石垣の前には案内板
石垣から少し離れたところに石碑があります
石田三成屋敷跡

本日最後のチャレンジは登山道「南口」探しです。旧中山道の国道8号線に出たら、登山口らしい場所がありました。「石田三成 佐和山城跡」という案内板がありますが、「南口」とは書かれていません。位置関係から言えば、ここが南口なのでしょう。

登山道南口?
現地にある案内板

閉鎖はされていませんし、近くに法華丸(曲輪の一つ)がありますので、少しだけ行ってみましょう。竹林がきれいです。段々に整地されていますので、これが法華丸の一部ではないでしょうか。

竹林に囲まれた遺跡
法華丸跡か?

私の感想

佐和山城は「徹底的に破壊された」とよく言われますが、残っているものは意外とあるということがわかりました。今後整備されて見学できる場所が増えるといいと思います。実は、大手門跡にも行ってみたかったのですが、今回は彦根駅からの徒歩であり、遠くなるのでパスしました。次の機会に行ってみたいです。

大手門跡、彦根観光協会ホームページから引用

また、琵琶湖を擁する滋賀県は、今でも多くの名物(近江牛、鮒ずし、赤こんにゃく、ニジマス、サラダパン、バウムクーヘンなど)があり、豊かな国と言えるでしょう。

琵琶湖岸
近江牛料理の一例

これで終わります。ありがとうございました。
「佐和山城その1」に戻ります。

今回の内容を趣向を変えて、Youtube にも投稿しました。よろしかったらご覧ください。

51.Azuchi Castle Part1

Azuchi Castle, which had many unique characters, suddenly appeared and disappeared in a short amount of time like its master, Nobunaga. As a result, it has a lot of mysteries which attract us. This article will focus on 5 items of the mysteries, which people often dispute about.

Azuchi Castle was, needless to say, known for the final and most popular home of Nobunaga Oda. Other than that, he created a typical style of Japanese castles, including the main tower, turrets, and white walls on top of the stone walls, which are guarded by defensive gates and are surrounded by water moats. The style was passed down from one generation to the next by other great Japanese lords. That’s why we still think it as the most typical Japanese castles’ style. Therefore, Azuchi castle was the inspiration for many other castles that came after it.

The portrait of Nobunaga Oda, attributed to Soshu Kano, owned by Chokoji Temple, in the late 16th century (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

However, the castle had a very short life for its impact. The construction of the castle launched in 1576. Nobunaga started to live in its main tower three years later. Its completion was done in September of 1581 (according to the luna calendar), just 9 months before Nobunaga’s death during the Honnoji Incident in Kyoto on the 3rd of June the following year. The main tower of the castle was burned down around the 15th of June for some unknown reasons. The Oda’s relatives still used the remaining parts of the castle for a while. Atter that, the castle was eventually abandoned in 1585 because their new home, which was called Hachimanyama Castle, was completed.

The ruins of Hachimanyama Castle

As you saw, the castle, which had many unique characters, suddenly appeared and disappeared in a short amount of time like its master, Nobunaga. As a result, it has a lot of mysteries which attract us. For example, its own name “Azuchi” is one of them. A record of the Hosokawa Clan says that Nobunaga changed the name of the land to Azuchi. However, the record doesn’t say why. Some speculate the name came from Kyoto’s nickname “Heian-rakudo” which borrows the two Chinese characters of Azuchi (安土). The original Chinese characters of Heian-rakudo is as followed: 平安楽土. They think Nobunaga wanted the castle to be the new capital of Japan. The speculation is not very plausible because other experts argue that other speculations are more plausible.

Azuchi Mountain

This article will focus on 5 items of the mysteries, which people often dispute about. I will also compare Theory A with Theory B for each item by summarizing the opinions about each one. Theory A will mainly consist of conventional wisdom from the officials, historians, and experts. Theory B, on the other hand, will focus on the opinions of Mr. Senda who is a famous castle archaeologist and from me (in the last part).

Location and History (Mystery Showdown)

Mystery of the Straight Main Route to the Mountain

Introduction

A surprising thing was discovered in the ruins of Azuchi Castle during the excavations since 1989 by Shiga Prefecture. Castles on mountains during the Sengoku Period usually had zigzagged routes to the top and had defensive walls, gates and turrets on the way to the top. Azuchi Castle Ruins had had stone walls on the way of the main route, which looked like a typical mountain castle at that time. However, the stone walls were built by Sokenji Temple at Azuchi Mountain during the Edo Period, abd not the Sengoku Period. The excavation team removed the stone walls and discovered that there was the original straight main route to the mountain, which is approximately 180m long. It also found the ruins of residential areas maybe for the senior vassals along the route, such as “Hideyoshi Hashiba (then later Hideyoshi Toyotomi who would be the ruler of Japan). In addition, four gate ruins were found around the entrance of the route. Three of the four gates had a simple design, called “Hira-koguchi”, where visitors (and possibly enemies) could have passed through easily. I wonder Why the straight main route was built instead of the zigzagged route which is typical of defensive castles during the Sengoku Period?

The diorama of the stone walls on the main route before it was removed, exhibited by Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum
The current main route of Azuchi Castle
The ruins of the residence of Hideyoshi Hashiba

Theory A

One theory suggests this route was used only for special visitors in special cases. It was particularly considered as the route for the emperor’s royal visit to Azuchi Castle though it never happened. That’s why the route was built straight for the convenience of the visitors. The straight layout might also have been emulated to look like the central street of Kyoto. In addition, there are no records of this route because it was rarely used. The three simple gates around the route entrance must have also been built only for these visits. The layouts were very similar to that of the imperial palace at that time. The gates were used depending on the visitors’ classes. The ruins of the residential areas along the route might have been used as the facilities for the visitors. According to the imaginary drawing through the use of CG of the main route, the great main tower of the castle stands over there (refer to the third picture at the bottom). The visitors on the route would feel the power of the castle’s master, Nobunaga Oda

The ruins of the main gate
The diorama of Azuchi Castle, exhibited by Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum
The imaginary drawing of the main route of Azuchi Castle, exhibited by Gifu Castle

Theory B

The next theory was the main route was built not only for the royal visit, but also for the residential areas, as I mentioned earlier. In fact, Nobunaga had built the similar straight main route in Komakiyama Castle on Komakiyama Mountain, which was his home earlier on. The residential areas of his senior vassals were constructed along the route, too. The route was straight until the midway point of the slope of the mountain but the route above had zigzagged patterns for defensive purposes. This had been done when Nobunaga was young, so he never met the emperor. Azuchi Castle had the same system as Komakiyama Castle. The route to the top zigzags after 180m. Several defensive gates were also built on the way to the upper part. Why didn’t Nobunaga make all the routes straight if he wanted them to use only for the royal visits? The reason for the three simple gates were designed to classify Nobunaga’s retainers when they went to the castle. In addition, the masters of the residential areas of Azuchi Castle were very busy and had their own territories in other locations. As a result, the areas were usually vacant, which wouldn’t appear on records.

The ruins of Komakiyama Castle
The main route of Komakiyama Castle
The zigzagged route of Komakiyama Castle just after the straight route

Mystery of the Main Hall

Introduction

The excavation team also researched the top area of Azuchi Mountain, which includes the main enclosure. They found another answer. The team discovered that the stone foundations of the main hall on the enclosure have wider intervals than the typical halls at that time. After some studies, it was found that the layout of the stone foundations of Azuchi Castle Hall is very similar to that of Seiryoden Hall in the imperial palace during the Edo Period. Shincho-koki, which is the most reliable biography of Nobunaga, stated that Azuchi Castle had room for the royal visit or the emperor’s stay. A noble’s diary also says that the emperor would go to Azuchi. What did the main enclosure of Azuchi Castle really look like?

The current main enclosure of Azuchi Castle

Theory A

One plausible theory suggests there must have been the main hall for the emperor on the main enclosure. Nobunaga might have thought he would move the emperor and the capital of Japan from Kyoto to Azuchi. Before the construction of Azuchi Castle, Nobunaga retired as the lord of the Oda Clan. He also resigned from all his positions in the imperial court until the completion of the castle. Nobunaga might have wanted to be the person who surpasses all the positions of Samurai and the imperial court. He actually gave his castle in Kyoto to the current prince. He also adopted the prince’s son. These facts might indicate that Nobunaga would invite one of them to Azuchi as the new emperor. If the new emperor lived in the main hall of the main enclosure, Nobunaga could look down on him from the much higher main tower. That would symbolize Nobunaga was just like the most powerful monarch of Japan.

The portrait of Prince Sanehito, owned by Sennyuji Temple, (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Theory B

An alternative theory suggests the main hall must have been the government offices. Nobunaga usually lived in the main tower and the second enclosure, with his family where other people were rarely allowed to enter. The other third enclosure on the mountain was used as the reception hall. Therefore, if the main enclosure was used just for the emperor, there would be no place for the government to stay in. According to architects, it is impossible to determine what was built using only stone foundations. The Shincho-koki biography also states that there was another hall, called “Nanden” (which means “south hall”) in the enclosure. It was thought that Nobunaga usually met his retainers there. “The royal visit room”, written in the biography, also states that there was probably part of the hall or another small hall. As for Nobunaga’s position, he might have destined to become the next shogun, which was the traditional position for the new shogunate, according to a historian’s study.

The center of the diorama above, showing the second enclosure, the main tower ruins, the main enclosure, and the third enclosure (from the left to the right), exhibited by Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum

Mystery of the Main Tower

Introduction

The main tower of Azuchi Castle is one of the examples of the first proper high buildings for Japanese castles at that time. It was said that Nobunaga was the only person who lived in a main tower according to records. The tower must have had a spiritual aura and authoritative presence. According to Gyuichi Ota who was the author of the Shincho-koki biography and Luis Frois, a missionary who visited Japan at that time, it was about 32m tall (41m including the tower base) composed 5 levels (6 floors and 1 basement). The tower was very colorful. Especially, the 5th floor was a red octagon shape with Buddhist paintings on the inside walls. The top 6th floor was a golden square shape with Chinese saints’ painted on the inside walls. There are a lot of remaining stone foundations to the base, but they just lack the central one, which comes from the original conditions. What did the main tower actually look like?

The stone foundations of the tower base, which lacks the central one
The miniature model of the 5th floor, exhibited by Azuchi Castle Museum
The miniature model of the 6th floor, exhibited by Azuchi Castle Museum

Theory A

A popular theory suggests there is a drawing which shows the design of the tower, called “Tenshu-sashizu” (which means “the design of the tower”). It was recorded and passed down by a magistrate family of the Kaga Domain. It doesn’t say it is the design of Azuchi Castle tower, however, it matches the records mentioned above and the on-site situations. Dr. Akira Naito made a restoration plan using the drawing, which is wildly accepted. According to the plan, the tower had an atrium structure, and a pagoda on the center of the base without the stone foundation. Experts speculate that the pagoda would indicate the appearance from the ground, written in the Lotus Sutra. You can see the 1/20 scale model based on the plan in Azuchi Castle Museum. You can also see the real life model of the 5th and 6th floors of the tower in Nobunaga no Yakata Museum. The tower was vewed as a heaven for Nobunaga who would reign over the pagoda as the only living god.

The miniature model of the main tower, exhibited by Azuchi Castle Museum
The atrium structure and the pagoda in the model
A figure of Nobunaga siting on the 5th floor

Theory B

Others have argued the plan based on the Tenshu-sashizu drawing. They say that it is impossible that the characteristic atrium structure was not recorded. For this reason, there is another restoration plan which doesn’t the atrium. Furthermore, the most controversial problem is that if you rebuild the main tower just as Gyuichi said, the tower will have to hang over the existing base. Dr. Yoshihiro Senda has an alternative theory however. He says that the tower would be able to be supported by Kake-zukuri method. This method involves building the foundation by combining many columns and horizontal beams like lattices on rocks or the ground. Buildings using this method can been seen in some old shrines and temples such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. It has also been seen in some castles like Himeji and Fukuyama. Dr. Senda points out the traces of stone foundation were found beside the base, which could indicate the Kake-zukuri method was used. In addition, the decisive evidence could be found in the future. Nobunaga sent the screen of illustration of Azuchi Castle, called “Azuchi-san-zu-byobu” to the Pope. The screen was once exhibited in the Vatican Palace but disappeared mysteriously. Officials from Shiga Prefecture is currently seeking for it in Italy. If it is found, it could be the discovery of the century.

The building based on the plan without the atrium (licensed by D-one via Wikimedia Commons)
An example of castle buildings using the Kake-zukuri method, at Fukuyama Castle, quoted from Fukuyama Castle Museum Website
The area beside the tower base, where the traces of stone foundation were found
The imaginary drawing of the “Azuchi-san-zu-byobu” screen

Mystery of Sokenji Temple

Introduction

Nobunaga founded Sokenji Temple inside Azuchi Castle. It is large for a castle. The materials of the temple were not new but were collected from older temples. This temple currently worships Nobunaga. However, curious to say, the temple officially says it was founded by a priest after Nobunaga died. According to Gyuichi’s records, there was a stone, named Bonsan, in the main tower. However, the stone was moved to the temple, according to Luis Frois. The temple was located at the middle point between the center of the castle and the side entrance. This point was important for protecting the castle, where defensive systems could have been built. So, why did Nobunaga build the temple instead of the systems?

The remaining Nio-mon Gate of Sokenji Temple
The remaining three-level tower of Sokenji Temple
The current side entrance

Theory A

Frois also said that Nobunaga founded the temple in order to make people worship him there. The Bonsan stone was the icon of Nobunaga. Frois described that Nobunaga also built a public noticeboard which states people should go to the temple and worship him on his birthday. As a matter of fact, Nobunaga thought his birthday (the 11th of May according to the luna calendar) was like the birthday of the western people. For example, he moved to the main tower on that day, not during lucky days where most Japanese people believed in. The conclusion is that Nobunaga made the important spot as his holy place of the temple.

The grave of Nobunaga at the second enclosure
There is a stone on the grave, which looks like Bonsan

Theory B

In fact, it was not unusual that castles had temples inside them. For instance, Kannonji Castle near Azuchi had Kannon-seji Temple. Takakage Kobayakawa, who was a great warlord in the Chugoku Region, built Kyoshinji Temple in his Ni-Takayama Castle. During the Muromachi and Sengoku Periods, the Samurai ceremonies consisted of two phases. The first one was to confirm the master-servant relationship at Shuden places. The second was to communicate with each other at Kaisho places. In the case of Azuchi Castle, the center of the castle was clearly equivalent to a Shuden place. Meanwhile, Sokenji Temple must have been used as a Kaisho place. For example, when Nobunaga invited his ally, Ieyasu Tokugawa to Azuchi Castle, a Noh play (similar to Kabuki play) was held there. In addition, there are no records about people worshiping Nobunaga at the Japanese side.

The diorama of Kannonji Castle, exhibited by Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum
Kannon-seji Temple (licensed by Jnn via Wikipedia Commons)
The ruins of Ni-Takayama Castle
The ruins of the Kyoshinji Temple

Mystery of the Main Tower burning down

Introduction

The center of Azuchi Castle, including the main tower, was burned down around the 15th of June in 1582 (according to the luna calendar), just after the Honnoji Incident on the 2nd of June. The following list are the relatives who were involved in using the castle and also the prime suspects who might have burned it down.

・Katahide Gamo: He was at Azuchi Castle on behalf of Nobunaga when the incident happened. However, he left the castle with Nobunaga’s family on the 3rd of June after he heard about the incident.
・Mitsuhide Akechi: He entered the castle on the 5th of June after he killed Nobunaga during the incident. He then gave the treasures of the castle to his retainers and moved to his original home of Sakamoto Castle.
・Hidemitsu Akechi: He was Mitsuhide’s retainer and held the castle instead of Mitsuhide. He left the castle on the 14th of June after he heard about his master being beaten by Hideyoshi Hashiba on the 13th. Taikoki, which is one of Hideyoshi’s biographies, says Hidemitsu was responsible for setting the castle on fire.
・Nobukatsu Oda: He was Nobunaga’s son, and he entered the castle on the 15th of June. According to Luis Frois, it was Nobukatsu who burned the castle down.

The castle might have burned down accidentally or by night thieves. However, if you must speculate one person from the list, who was the biggest suspect?

The stone foundations of the main tower base

Theory A

Nobukatsu must be the suspect as Frois said. Hidemitsu had an alibi that he was at Sakamoto Castle on that day. The Taikoki biography is only adds to the blames of the Akechi Clan. Frois also said that Nobukatsu did it for no reasons because he was unwise. Before the incident, he selfishly attacked Iga Province, failed to do so, and was yelled at by Nobunaga. After the incident, he battled against Hideyoshi, together with Ieyasu Tokugawa. However, he eventually made peace with Hideyoshi who dangled a carrot in front of him, without Ieyasu’s permission. Finally, he was fired by Hideyoshi who became the ruler after the battle of Odawara Castle. He rejected the change of his territory, ordered by Hideyoshi, though Ieyasu accepted it. Nobukatsu was not able to understand the situations properly. He was so incompetent that he could impulsively destroy the legacy of his father who was also angry at him.

The portrait of Nobukatsu Oda, owned by Sokenji Temple (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Theory B

This theory is believed in. Nobukatsu must be the suspect, too. However, he was not so incompetent that he did it for a good reason. When he attacked Iga Province, he was the independent lord of the Kitabatake Clan, so he could decide it. Nobunaga had adopted Nobukatsu to the clan as the next successor. He was still the lord of the Kitabatake Clan when he allied with Ieyasu. Hideyoshi mostly captured the territory of the clan (Ise Province) because Ieyasu was so strong. Nobukatsu had to compromise with Hideyoshi before his territory would be occupied. After that, he tried to mediate between Hideyoshi and Ieyasu. He also worked hard in the battle of Odawara Castle for Hideyoshi’s unification of Japan. Therefore, it might not be sensible for Nobukatsu to be fired completely even though he rejected Hideyoshi’s command. This might have been Hideyoshi’s strategy which attempted his prefered territory plan. After the Honnoji Incident, Nobukatsu wanted to be the lord of the Oda Clan, not just that of Kitabatake Clan. However, his brother, Notbutaka also wanted it. Nobukatsu might have burned the main tower down intentionally in order to prevent Nobutaka and other senior vassals from disturbing him.

The portrait of Nobutaka Oda, (licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

To be continued in “Azuchi Castle Part2”