Takiyama Castle
Encyclopedia
Taki-no-jō Castle, , is a flatland-hilltop Japanese castle
ruin located in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture
. It was on a key route between the northern Kanto Plain
and Hachioji.
The most recent structure was built in the 15th century by Ōishi Sadahisa
and existed during the 16th century Sengoku Period
of Japanese history. In 1546, the Hojo
of Odawara took control and in 1569 possession passed to the Takeda
.
After 1590, the castle was abandoned simultaneously with the arrival of Tokugawa Ieyasu
into the region, having outlived its purpose.
The castle is now a ruin with clear archeological evidence of the foundations of a number buildings and a dry moat. The castle name "Waterfall Castle" is due to an waterfall that exists on the eastern part of the castle grounds. The castle grounds now form a recreational park including walking paths, a children's play area and a baseball field.
Japanese castle
' were fortresses composed primarily of wood and stone. They evolved from the wooden stockades of earlier centuries, and came into their best-known form in the 16th century...
ruin located in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama.This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which a large amount of residents commute each day.- History...
. It was on a key route between the northern Kanto Plain
Kanto Plain
The ' is the largest plain in Japan located in the Kanto Region of central Honshū. The total area 17,000 sq km covers more than half of the Region extending over Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, and Tochigi Prefecture.The northern limit borders on...
and Hachioji.
The most recent structure was built in the 15th century by Ōishi Sadahisa
Oishi Sadahisa
Ōishi Sadahisa was a retainer of the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi branch of the Uesugi, and the builder of Takiyama Castle . After the Uesugi were defeated at Kawagoe in 1545, Ōishi accepted the authority of the Hōjō. However, their leader was murdered, and was replaced by Hōjō Ujimasa's 2nd son Hōjō Ujiteru...
and existed during the 16th century Sengoku Period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
of Japanese history. In 1546, the Hojo
Hojo
Hōjō may refer to:*Hōjō clan, a family of regents of the Kamakura Shogunate*Late Hōjō clan, daimyo in the Sengoku Period*Hōjō, Ehime, a city in Japan*Hōjō, one of the five kata of Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū...
of Odawara took control and in 1569 possession passed to the Takeda
Takeda
is a Japanese family name. Throughout the course of the Sengoku period of Japan, the famed Takeda clan of Kai province had many descendant branch families.*Takeda clan is a family in the Aki province*Takeda clan...
.
After 1590, the castle was abandoned simultaneously with the arrival of Tokugawa Ieyasu
Tokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
into the region, having outlived its purpose.
The castle is now a ruin with clear archeological evidence of the foundations of a number buildings and a dry moat. The castle name "Waterfall Castle" is due to an waterfall that exists on the eastern part of the castle grounds. The castle grounds now form a recreational park including walking paths, a children's play area and a baseball field.