Shirohata Castle

Japanese: 白旗城 - しろはたじょう

This mountain castle was located in Kamigori-cho , Ako-gun, Hyogo Prefecture. It was the main castle of the Akamatsu clan, the governor of Harima during the Muromachi period. It is a designated national historic site. There are two theories about when the castle was built: 1333 (Genko 3) or 1335 (Kenmu 2), but it was built by Akamatsu Norimura ( Enshin ). The main citadel was located at the top of Mt. Shirahata, which is 440 meters above sea level, and the kuruwa ( bordered enclosures ) were lined up in a terraced style on the ridge that stretches from north to south, and the territory was laid out with a number of small kuruwa ( bordered enclosures ) built in a stepped style on the branch ridge that extends east from each of the kuruwa. In 1335 (Kenmu 2), Norimura sided with Ashikaga Takauji, and holed up in Shirahata Castle, holding back Nitta Yoshisada's large army in Harima for over 50 days, contributing to the victory of the Ashikaga army in the Battle of Minatogawa. Due to this military achievement, Norimura was appointed Shugoshoku (military governor) of Harima. In 1441 (Kakitsu 1), Akamatsu Mitsusuke raised an army at Shirahata Castle after killing Shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori , but the castle was attacked and captured by the Muromachi Shogunate forces (Kakitsu Rebellion). Remains of the castle include the baileys, earthworks, stone walls, vertical moats, and moat cutouts, and can be climbed via the Sanyo Nature Trail. There are also many historical sites related to the Akamatsu clan at the foot of Mt. Shirahata, including the family temple Hounji . It is about a 20-minute walk from Konohara Enshin Station on the Chizu Express Line to the castle entrance.

Source: Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japanese Castles Information

Japanese:

兵庫県赤穂郡上郡町にあった山城(やまじろ)。室町時代の播磨守護赤松氏の本城。国指定史跡。築城年代は1333年（元弘3）説と1335年（建武2）説があるが、築いたのは赤松則村(のりむら)（円心(えんしん)）である。標高440mの白旗山の山頂に本丸を置き、北から南へと連なる尾根筋に曲輪(くるわ)が梯郭式に並び、それぞれの曲輪から東に延びる支尾根には階段状に小曲輪群が幾段にも築かれた縄張りとなっている。1335年（建武2）則村は足利尊氏(あしかがたかうじ)に与し、白旗城にこもって新田義貞(にったよしさだ)の大軍を50日余り播磨に足止めさせ、湊川の戦いでの足利軍勝利に貢献した。この戦功により、則村は播磨守護職に任じられた。1441年（嘉吉1）、赤松満祐(みつすけ)は将軍足利義教(よしのり)を討つと白旗城で挙兵したが、室町幕府軍に攻められて落城した（嘉吉の乱）。城の遺構として曲輪、土塁、石垣、竪堀、堀切が残っており、山陽自然歩道を通って登ることができる。また白旗山山麓には、赤松氏の菩提寺法雲寺(ほううんじ)など赤松氏にまつわる多くの旧跡がある。智頭急行河野原円心(こうのはらえんしん)駅から登城口まで徒歩約20分。

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