[Shiraishi City, Miyagi Prefecture] There is also a castle with a castle tower in Miyagi Prefecture! Shiroishi Castle, the residence of Katakura Kojuro Kagetsuna, a senior vassal of Date Masamune

Speaking of famous castles in the Tohoku region, there in Aomori Prefecture, Aizuwakamatsu Castle in Fukushima Prefecture , and Sendai Castle in Miyagi Prefecture ! I would like to say that, but unfortunately, Sendai Castle does not have a castle tower.

However, this does not mean that there are no castles with castle towers in Miyagi Prefecture. Shiroishi City is located in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture. Here is Shiroishi Castle, which was once the residence of the Katakura family, who served as senior vassals to the Date family.

This time we will introduce "Shiraishi Castle"

What is Shiroishi Castle?

Shiroishi Castle is a Hirayama castle located in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, and is also known as Masuoka (Masuoka) Castle.

There are extremely few historical documents related to Shiroishi Castle, and there are many mysteries such as ``When was it built and by whom?'' However, according to the local history information board, the owners of the castle have changed considerably.

List of past castle lords

1. Tsunemoto Karita
2. Hidenaga Shiraishi (later became a vassal of the Date family. Family of Munezane Shiraishi, a vassal of Date Masamune.)
3. Date family: Kageyori Yashiro (one of Date Masamune's close aides)
4. Gamo family: Gosei Gamo (became part of Gamo territory at the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Oshu invasion)
5. Uesugi family: Kagetsugu Amakasu (became Uesugi territory due to the transfer of the Gamo family)
6. Date family: Akimitsu Ishikawa (Date Masamune's uncle. Returned to Date territory during Tokugawa Ieyasu's conquest of Aizu.)
7. Date family: Katakura Kagetsuna (Date Masamune's senior vassal)
8. Meiji new government: Toshiyasu Nanbu (former lord of Morioka domain)

After that, it was used as a government facility by the Sanriku Iwajo Ryoba Inspectorate Office, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Finance.In 1874, it was sold to the private sector and demolished , and in 1900, the castle ruins were developed as the current Masuoka Park. .

By the way, the original name of this place was Shiroishi, Katta District, Mutsu Province . The place names are the names of the first and second lords. Shiroishi has become a city, Katta District still exists, including two towns, Zao Town and Shichikashuku Town.

Even place names have history!

Restoration of Shiroishi Castle. The reason was the NHK Taiga drama!

Restoration of the castle had been proposed many times before, but many obstacles prevented it from becoming a reality. However, in 1988 (Showa 63), the NHK taiga drama ``Dokuganryu Masamune'' began broadcasting .

Katakura Kagetsuna's presence was also brought into the spotlight nationwide, and the atmosphere of the Shiroishi City Council changed completely. Restoration of the third floor turret of Shiroishi Castle has been adopted as a policy of Shiroishi City

After that, research began with the aim of restoring it faithfully to its original form, and at the same time a restoration fund was established to raise funds. In the end, more than 100 million yen was collected from individuals and corporations , and in March 1995, restoration work on the three-story turret, Oteno Ichinomon and Ninomon, and the earthen walls was successfully completed.

Since then, the building has undergone repeated repair work due to damage caused by repeated earthquakes, including the Great East Japan Earthquake, and continues to this day.

Shiroishi Castle's castle tower was selected as one of Japan's top 100 castles announced in 2017 by the Japan Castle Association

I actually visited Shiroishi Castle!

I actually visited Shiroishi Castle!

We will start climbing from the back of Shiroishi City Hall. By the way, this road is named "Shiroku Road" because it leads to the castle.

General information board for Masuoka Park. In addition to the castle, it seems to have been developed as a sports park, including a baseball field and tennis courts.

As you climb a little further, you will see the ``History Exploration Museum''. Purchase admission tickets for the castle tower and samurai residences There is also a souvenir shop and snack corner.

A very retro ticket vending machine with a Showa era feel!

After purchasing your admission ticket and walking for a while, you will see the back of Shiroishi Castle on your left.

The Otemon Ichinomon gate can be seen on the left hand side of the photo.

As soon as you pass through Ichinomon, you will find Ninomon. The space between these two gates is called a masugata, which is a structure that allows enemy soldiers to close the gate and trap them in this narrow space when they attack, allowing them to shoot at them with guns or bows and arrows.

Once you pass through the Ninomon gate, you will emerge into a large grounds that corresponds to the main keep, and you will finally be able to meet Shiroishi Castle!

According to the information board, it seems that there were various palaces on this site. I hope these will be restored someday!

At the entrance to the castle tower, the Katakura family's flag ``Kurotsurigane'' !

During the Boshin War the Shiroishi clan meeting was held here, led to the formation of the Ou-etsu clan alliance, the five-pointed star flag emblem of the Ou-etsu clan alliance is also on display.

On the first floor of the castle tower, there are various exhibits such as armor from the Date clan and a model of Shiroishi Castle.

The second floor is a spacious space with nothing in it, and when you go up to the third floor, you can see a 360-degree panoramic view of Shiroishi City.

Although it is quite compact compared to Aizuwakamatsu Castle in Fukushima and other castles, it is one of the tallest and largest restored wooden castle towers in Japan after the war

The wooden restoration is rare even in Japan, and is said to have been highly evaluated academically.

summary

One of the great pleasures of traveling is learning about the history of a place, but there was something very touching about the fact that an important chapter in the Boshin War took place here in Shiroishi...

a samurai residence of the vassals who worked for the castle from the era of Katakura Kagetsuna right near the castle, so we recommend that you visit it as well! It is a relaxing spot along the clear stream with a relaxing atmosphere.

Shiroishi Castle is the only castle in Miyagi Prefecture with a castle tower . If you have a chance, please go!

INFORMATION

• Name: Shiroishi Castle
• Address: 1-16 Masuoka-cho, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture 989-0251
• Phone number: 0224-24-3030
• Official URL: http://www.shiro-f.jp/shiroishijo/

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