This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
When we think of famous castles in the Tohoku region, in Aomori PrefectureAizuwakamatsu Castle in Fukushima Prefecture , and Sendai Castle in Miyagi Prefecture ! But unfortunately, Sendai Castle no longer has a castle tower.
However, that doesn't mean that there are no castles with castle towers in Miyagi Prefecture. Shiroishi City, located in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is home to Shiroishi Castle, which was once the residence of the Katakura clan, .
This time Shiroishi Castle !
What is Shiroishi Castle?
Shiroishi Castle is a flatland castle located in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, and is also known as Masuoka Castle
There are very few historical documents related to Shiroishi Castle, and there are many mysteries, such as "When was it built and by whom?"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 historical information board on site, the castle has had many successive owners
List of successive castle lords
Tsunemoto Karita
Hidenaga Shiraishi (later a retainer of the Date clan. A descendant of Munezane Shiraishi, a retainer of Masamune Date.)
Date clan: Yashiro Kageyori (one of Date Masamune's close associates)
Gamo family: Gamo Gosei (became the Gamo territory during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Oshu Shioki)
Uesugi family: Amakasu Kagetsugu (became Uesugi territory when the Gamou family was transferred)
Date clan: Ishikawa Akimitsu (Date Masamune's uncle. He returned to Date territory after Tokugawa Ieyasu's conquest of Aizu.)
Date clan: Katakura Kagetsuna (senior vassal of Date Masamune)
New Meiji government: Nanbu Toshiyasu (former lord of Morioka domain)
It was subsequently used as a government facility for the Sanriku Iwaki Ryohan Inspection Office, the Ministry of the Army, and the Ministry of Finance. In 1874 it was sold to the private sector and demolished , and in 1900 the castle ruins were developed into Masuoka Park
By the way, the original name of this place was Shiraishi, Karita County, Mutsu Province . The names of the first and second lords were used to name the place. Shiraishi has become a city, but Karita County still exists, including the two towns of Zao and Shichikashuku.
Even place names have history!
Restoration of Shiroishi Castle. The trigger was the NHK Taiga drama!
The restoration of the castle had been proposed many times before, but due to many obstacles it never became a reality. However, in 1988 (Showa 63), the NHK Taiga drama "Dokuganryu Masamune" began airing .
Katakura Kagetsuna's presence also came into the national spotlight, completely changing the mood in the Shiroishi City Council. The restoration of the three-story tower of Shiroishi Castle was adopted as a policy of the city of Shiroishi
After that, research began to restore the structure faithfully to its original form, and at the same time, a restoration fund was established to raise funds. Ultimately, more than 100 million yen was raised from donations from individuals and corporations , and restoration work on the three-story turret, the main gate's first and second gates, and the earthen walls was successfully completed in March 1995 (Heisei 7).
Since then, the building has undergone repeated repair work due to damage caused by repeated earthquakes, including the Great East Japan Earthquake, and has continued to operate to this day
the Shiroishi Castle tower was selected as one of the "Continued Top 100 Castles of Japan" announced by the Japan Castle Foundation in 2017
I actually visited Shiroishi Castle!
I actually visited Shiroishi Castle!
We start climbing from behind Shiroishi City Hall. By the way, this road is named "Shiroku Road" because it leads to the castle
This is the general information board for Masuoka Park. In addition to the castle, it also has a baseball field, tennis courts, and other facilities, making it a sports park
If you go up a little further, you will see the History Exploration Museum. admission tickets to the castle tower and samurai residences here. There is also a souvenir shop and a snack corner.
A very retro ticket machine with a Showa-era feel!
After purchasing your admission ticket, walk a little further and you will see the back of Shiroishi Castle on your left
The Otemon Ichinomon Gate can be seen on the left side of the photo
Immediately after passing through Ichinomon Gate is Ninomon Gate. The space between these two gates is called Masugata, and was designed so that when enemy soldiers attacked, they could be trapped in this narrow space by closing the gates and targeted with guns or bows and arrows
Once you pass through the Ninomon Gate, you will come out onto the large grounds of the main castle grounds and finally come face to face with Shiroishi Castle!
According to the information board, there used to be various palaces on this site. I hope that someday these will be restored!
At the entrance to the castle tower the Katakura family's emblem, the "Black Bell" !
During the Boshin Warthe Shiroishi Conference of Feudal Lords was held here, led to the formation of the Oshu-Uetsu Alliance,the five-pointed star flag of the Oshu-Uetsu Alliance is also on display.
On the first floor of the castle tower, there are various exhibits, including armor from the Date clan and a model of Shiroishi Castle
The second floor is a large, empty space, and if you go up to the third floor you can look down on Shiroishi city with a 360-degree panoramic view
Compared to Aizuwakamatsu Castle in Fukushima and other castles, it is a fairly compact castle, but it boasts one of the largest wooden castle towers in Japan in terms of both height and size, having been reconstructed after the war
The wooden restoration is rare nationwide and has received high academic acclaim
summary
One of the joys of traveling is learning about the history of a place, but there was something particularly moving about learning that an important scene in the Boshin War took place in Shiraishi
a samurai residence of the castle's retainers from the time of Katakura Kagetsuna located very close to the castle, so we recommend visiting it as well! It is a relaxing spot with a nice atmosphere along a clear stream.
Shiroishi Castle is the only castle in Miyagi Prefecture with a castle tower . If you have the chance, be sure to visit!
Shiroishi Castle <Information>
Name: Shiroishi Castle
Address: 1-16 Masuokacho, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-0251
Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs
