Aki Castle (安芸城, Aki-jō) was a castle of the Aki clan in what is now the city of Aki, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. Ruins still remain and the site was designated an Aki City Historic Site.[1] It is believed the castle was built by Aki Chikauji in 1308.[2]
| Aki Castle | |
|---|---|
安芸城 | |
| Aki, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan | |
 Stone wall and water moat of Aki castle | |
| Coordinates | 33°18′40″N 133°32′40″E / 33.31101°N 133.5445°E |
| Type | Hirayama-style castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Aki clan, Chōsokabe clan, Goto clan |
| Condition | ruins |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1308 |
| Built by | Aki Chikauji |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders | Aki Kunitora, Kōsokabe Chikayasu, Goto Tameshige |
In 1569, the castle was besieged by Chōsokabe Motochika's force. Aki Kunitora, who was known as one of the seven great samurai of the Aki, entrenched himself in the castle, but later surrendered and committed seppuku.[3][4] Following the fall of the castle, Motochika appointed his younger brother Kōsokabe Chikayasu as the lord of the castle[3] and the castle became an important base for the Chōsokabe clan to invade Awa.[5]
After the Battle of Sekigahara, Tosa Province was given to Yamanouchi Kazutoyo and he appointed his senior vassal Goto Tameshige as the lord of the castle.[3]
The castle is now in ruins, with low some stone walls, wet moats, and ramparts or other earthworks. The Aki City Historical Museum is on site.[3] Adjacent to the castle is the preserved samurai residential district of Doi Kachū.[4] Doi Kachū was designated a Group of Traditional Buildings of Japan in 2012.[4][6]
Gallery
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Aki Castle -
Former main gate of Aki castle -
Well -
Stone wall -
Ichino-dan compound -
Nino-dan compound -
Museum of History -
Doikachu2 -
Doikachu3
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "安芸市の文化財" (in Japanese). Aki City official. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "Aki Castle" (in Japanese). Aki city official. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Aki Castle" (in Japanese). kotobank. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Aki Castle" (in Japanese). AKISHI TOURIST ASSOCIATION. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "Aki Castle" (in Japanese). ニッポン旅マガジン. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "安芸市土居廓中伝統的建造物群保存地区" (in Japanese). Aki city official. Retrieved 6 November 2021.