Kotesashigahara

This ancient battlefield is located on the Musashino Plateau, north of the Sayama Hills in the northwest of Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture. During the Kamakura period, the Kamakura Kaido road passed through the area, linking Kozuke, Echigo, Shinano and Kamakura. It is famous as the site of the ancient battle between Nitta Yoshisada and Hojo Takatoki in 1333 (Genko 3/Shokei 2), and is rich in historical sites such as Shirahatazuka, where Yoshisada raised a white flag to command, and Seishigabashi, where Nitta's troops exchanged oaths. A monument has been erected at the site of the battlefield, and it has been designated a prefectural historic site. There is also the Tokorozawa City Buried Cultural Properties Research Center. Until recently, the surrounding area was covered with lush forests, reminiscent of the Musashino plain, but since Kotesashi Station on the Seibu Railway Ikebukuro Line was established in 1970, urbanization has progressed.

[Masatami Nakayama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

埼玉県所沢市(ところざわし)街北西部の狭山(さやま)丘陵北側、武蔵野(むさしの)台地上にある古戦場。鎌倉時代、上野(こうずけ)、越後(えちご)、信濃(しなの)と鎌倉とを結ぶ鎌倉街道が通る。1333年（元弘3・正慶2）新田義貞(にったよしさだ)と北条高時の古戦場として有名で、義貞が白旗を立てて指揮したという白旗(しらはた)塚、新田軍が誓詞(せいし)を交わした所という誓詞ヶ橋などの旧跡に富む。古戦場跡には碑が建てられ、県指定旧跡となっている。また、所沢市埋蔵文化財調査センターがある。付近一帯は近年まで雑木林の茂る武蔵野のおもかげを残した土地であったが、1970年（昭和45）西武鉄道池袋線小手指駅が設けられて以来、都市化が進んでいる。

［中山正民］

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