- Kumamoto domainRuled by the Kato family and the Hosokawa family.
- The Kumamoto Domain, also known as the Higo Domain, was a domain that ruled over the area excluding Kuma and Amakusa counties and part of Bungo Province. The domain office was Kumamoto Castle, which was ruled by the Kato family and the Hosokawa family, whose ancestors were Kiyomasa Kato, who was known as a ``master castle builder.'' The history of the Kumamoto clan
Kumamoto CastleKumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
- TOP
- Kyushu
- Kumamoto Prefecture
- Kumamoto Castle
| Other name | Chiba Castle (Deda clan), Mutsumi Castle, Kumamoto Castle (Kagogi clan, Kikuchi clan, Jo clan, Sasa clan, Kato clan half-country period), Ginkgo Castle |
|---|---|
| castle construction | 1469-1487 |
| address | 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture |
| telephone number | 096-223-5011 |
| Opening hours | 9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30) |
| closing day | No holidays |
| Admission fee | Adults 800 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 300 yen |
- Access to Kumamoto Castle
- 10 minutes walk from Shiyakusho-mae tram station
HISTORYKumamoto Castle was built by Kiyomasa Kato, a master castle builder.
Kumamoto Castle is a flat castle built in the 12th year of the Keicho era (1607) on the Chausuyama hills in present-day Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. It was built by Kiyomasa Kato, a famous castle builder. Although it suffered major damage in the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, restoration work on the castle tower was finally completed in 2021, and it will be restored to its former appearance. Let's unravel the history of Kumamoto Castle.
- Before Kumamoto Castle was built
- It is said that a man named Hidenobu Ideta, a member of the Kikuchi clan who was the protector of Higo Province during the Muromachi period (1469-1487), built a castle called Chiba Castle on the site where Kumamoto Castle is built. It has been reported.
In the 16th century, as the power of the Deda clan declined, a man named Chikanaka Kanokogi, a vassal of the Kikuchi and Otomo clans, established an estate in Chiba Castle during the Onei and Kyoroku years (1521-1531). Kumamoto Castle was built on the site. After that, Yoshitake Kikuchi and others moved to Kumamoto Castle. - Kumamoto castle construction
- When Toyotomi Hideyoshi pacified Kyushu in 1587, Kumamoto Castle was home to a family called the Jo clan who were allies to the Shimazu clan. The Castle family obediently surrendered the castle to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and in return Sassa Narimasa, who was given the province of Higo, entered the castle. Sassa Shigemasa defied Hideyoshi's orders and forcibly carried out a land survey, which caused a revolt among the people of Higo, and Kumamoto Castle was also subjected to a fierce attack. However, the castle was saved from falling due to the efforts of Jimbo Ujibari, who was the man behind the castle. Shigemasa Sasa took responsibility for the uprising and was forced to commit seppuku, and 195,000 koku of the northern half of Higo was given to Kiyomasa Kato.
Kato Kiyomasa, who entered Higo Province, began building Kumamoto Castle in the Chausuyama hills from 1591 onwards. The castle tower was completed in 1600, and there are records that the name of the place was changed from Kumamoto to Kumamoto in 1606 to celebrate the completion of the castle. Also, in 1615, construction of Honmaru Goten began, with a walkway spanning the main enclosure. Kiyomasa Kato, along with Takatora Todo, is known as a ``master castle builder,'' and there is a theory that this name comes from the splendor of the stone walls he built when building Kumamoto Castle. The stone walls of Kumamoto Castle are constructed so that the slope becomes steeper as you go up, and is also called the ``fan slope'' or ``Mushagaeshi'' because it is difficult for even a ninja to climb.
During the Meiji era, most of the buildings at Kumamoto Castle were demolished, but only this stone wall remained. Although it was damaged by the Kumamoto Earthquake that occurred in 2016, it is currently being restored by the hands of craftsmen. Kumamoto Castle was built with the concept of a cage in mind, and there were many wells within the grounds, and lotus roots were planted in the moat. There is also a theory that the ginkgo trees planted by Kiyomasa Kato, the lord of the castle, were planted with the intention of being used as food during the castle's siege, but this theory has now been denied as they are male ginkgo trees and do not bear fruit. Masu. Another name for Kumamoto Castle is Ginkgo Castle, which comes from this ginkgo tree planted by Kiyomasa Kato. - Kumamoto Castle after construction
- Kato Kiyomasa became the lord of Higo, but his son, Kato Tadahiro, lost control. The person who succeeded him and ruled Higo was Tadatoshi Hosokawa, the lord of Buzen Kokura Castle. It is said that Tadatoshi Hosokawa built a residence called ``Hanabata Yashiki'' south of the long wall of the castle, across the Tsuboi River, and that the feudal lords used it as a place to live after that. After Kato Kiyomasa's death, Kumamoto Castle was left unrepaired due to the financial crisis of the domain and the family turmoil, leaving the castle in an almost undeveloped state except for the area around the main keep. Tadatoshi Hosokawa proposed repairs to Kumamoto Castle to the Edo shogunate, expanding the main keep and improving the second keep. Furthermore, the Hosokawa family proceeded to develop the Sannomaru and Tsubogawa areas as the grounds for the residences of senior vassals and intermediate vassals, and the final construction of the castle was completed during the Tenpo era, less than 30 years into the Meiji era. Kumamoto Castle is a castle that was continuously constructed throughout the Edo period.
- Kumamoto Castle after the Meiji period
- In the Meiji period, a faction called the Jitsugaku Party came to power in Kumamoto, and the government requested that Kumamoto Castle be demolished as a relic of the previous century. However, there was disagreement between the domain governor and the former domain governor, and on the day of the demolition work, the work was stopped and the site was opened to the public. In addition, like castles across the country, military facilities such as a training school and medical facilities have been built on Kumamoto Castle's grounds since the early Meiji period. When the Kampuren Rebellion broke out in 1876, rebel samurai attacked the commander of the castle, Masaaki Taneda, and took over the castle's artillery barracks, but it was suppressed in one day.
During the Seinan War that broke out in 1877, Kumamoto Castle became an important base for the Meiji government and an important strategic target for Saigo's army. During the Seinan Rebellion, many buildings were destroyed, including the large castle tower, small castle tower, main castle tower, main castle east third-floor turret, moon viewing turret, and small hall turret. However, the new government army ended up besieging itself with 4,000 soldiers and withstood the onslaught of the 1,400-strong rebel army led by Takamori Saigo. In particular, it is said that the ``Musha Gaeshi'' established by Kato Kiyomasa was so effective that no one from Saigo's army was able to enter the grounds. At this time, there is a famous theory that Takamori Saigo said, ``I lost not to the Meiji government's army, but to Kiyomasa Kato.''
In 1933, the existing buildings of Kumamoto Castle were designated as former national treasures. This included Uto Yagura and Kanmotsu Yagura.
Kumamoto Castle's buildings survived the Great Kumamoto Air Raid in 1945, and the war ended.
In 1955, it was designated as a special national historic site as the Kumamoto Castle Ruins.
In 1960, on the occasion of the Kumamoto National Athletic Meet and the 350th anniversary of the castle's construction, Kumamoto City solicited donations from the public and worked to restore the exterior at a cost of 180 million yen, rebuilding large and small castle towers, flat turrets, and walls. etc. were rebuilt. The castle tower is made of reinforced concrete, and the interior was used as a branch of the Kumamoto City Museum, where historical materials were displayed.
Selected as one of Japan's top 100 castles in 2006.
The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake caused damage to many buildings, including stone walls, Nagahori, and large and small castle towers.
Repairs to Nagahori and the castle tower will be completed over five years in 2021. At this time, an elevator was installed inside the castle tower, making it easier to use.
Read about incidents related to Kumamoto Castle
- Seinan WarThe final battle of the samurai: Takamori Saigo vs. the government
- After the Boshin War ended in 1869, the new government (Meiji government) carried out a series of reforms. Meanwhile, a rebellion led by the samurai class under the banner of Saigo Takamori took place from February 15 to September 24, 1877.
- Bunroku roleHideyoshi's dispatch of troops to Korea, Part 1
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi succeeded Oda Nobunaga and destroyed the Hojo clan in the Odawara conquest in 1590, achieving unification of the country. Next is overseas! He aimed to conquer China (then Ming Dynasty) and sent troops to Korea (Yi Dynasty Joseon) as a foothold.
- Keicho roleThe dispatch of troops to Korea that ended with Hideyoshi's death, Part 2
- After the unification of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi dispatched troops to Joseon Dynasty (present-day North Korea and South Korea) to conquer China (then Ming Dynasty). After the Bunroku War, which lasted from 1592 to 1593, they attacked Korea again in the 2nd year of Keicho (159).
Read biographies related to Kumamoto Castle
- Tadatoshi Hosokawason of garasha
- During the Sengoku period, Akechi Mitsuhide was the one who forced Oda Nobunaga to commit suicide during the Honnoji Incident. Mitsuhide has a daughter named Garasha. Tama became the wife of Tadaoki Hosokawa, and the two had several children. However, just before the Battle of Sekigahara
- Tadaoki HosokawaHideyoshi's Seven Generals
- Even during the Sengoku period, when Japan was full of battles and turbulent times, the flower of culture flourished. They are tea ceremony and renga. Hosokawa Tadaoki was a feudal lord who served the Muromachi Shogunate, Oda, Toyotomi, and Tokugawa while cultivating culture during the Warring States period. Tadaoki was the son of Fujitaka Hosokawa.
- Kiyomasa KatoSeven spears of Mt. Shizugatake
- During the Sengoku period, the Owari-Mikawa (present-day Aichi Prefecture) area was the birthplace of many powerful military commanders. There are many Sengoku warlords who left their names in history, including Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, known as the Three Great Heroes, as well as Maeda Toshiie. Kiyomasa Kato is one such person.
History of the Kumamoto Domain, with Kumamoto Castle as the domain office
| Domain office | Kumamoto Castle |
|---|---|
| old area | Kumamoto, Akuta District, Higo Province |
| stone height | 540,000 koku |
| Fudai/Tozama | Foreigner |
| main lord | Kato family, Hosokawa family |
| Estimated population | 648,277 people (Bunsei 11) |
Kumamoto Castle, an impregnable castle built by Kato Kiyomasa
Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a famous castle built by Kato Kiyomasa. It is one of the three most famous castles in Japan and is famous for its strong stone walls, known as "Musha-gaeshi". However, the stone walls collapsed in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, causing major damage to the restored castle tower, 13 important cultural property buildings, and stone walls. Restoration work is still ongoing as of 2024.
- History of Kumamoto Castle
- Kumamoto Castle was originally built on "Chiba Castle" in the 15th century by Deguchi Hidenobu of the Kikuchi clan, a powerful clan in Kyushu, on Chausuyama. Later, the Kanokogi clan built Kumamoto Castle to the west of Chausuyama. In 1588, Kato Kiyomasa entered the castle as lord of Higo with a fief of 250,000 koku. Renovations of Kumamoto Castle began in 1590, and in 1599, construction of the new "Kumamoto Castle" began, absorbing Chiba Castle and Kumamoto Castle.
Kiyomasa made use of his experience in dispatching troops to Korea and built a huge castle with multiple high stone walls, winding passageways, a large castle tower, a small castle tower, and several large turrets, in order to make it a sturdy castle. It was completed in 1607, and the name of Kumamoto was changed to Kumamoto around this time.
It seemed as if the Kato clan would continue to rule Kumamoto, but in 1632, the Kato clan was accused of treason and was abolished, and instead, Hosokawa Tadatoshi, the lord of Kokura Castle in Buzen, entered Higo. From then on, the Hosokawa clan ruled the area until the Meiji period.
During the Seinan War in 1877, the government forces barricaded themselves in Kumamoto Castle and endured a fierce attack by the Satsuma forces led by Saigo Takamori, so Kumamoto Castle is also known as an "impregnable castle." When Takamori was defeated, he reportedly muttered, "I didn't lose to the government forces, I lost to Kiyomasa." However, the castle tower and Honmaru Palace were burned down during the Seinan War.
The castle tower was rebuilt in 1960 using steel-reinforced concrete. However, the Kumamoto earthquake occurred in 2016, causing damage including the collapse of a large part of the roof tiles of the castle tower. In addition, 13 important cultural properties and stone walls were also damaged, for example, the important cultural property Higashi Juhachiken Yagura was completely destroyed. About 30% of the stone walls were damaged, with some collapsing and others swelling, and 50 places, or about 10%, collapsed.
Kumamoto City immediately began work on the castle's reconstruction, and many donations were received from both within and outside of Japan. The castle tower, which was the first to be restored as a "symbol of reconstruction," was fully restored in March 2021. Restoration work on other damaged buildings and stone walls is expected to be completed by 2037. - Highlights of Kumamoto Castle: 1. The restored castle tower
- The current castle tower of Kumamoto Castle was restored in 1960. It is made up of a large castle tower and a small castle tower, connected together. The large castle tower has three floors, six stories and one basement floor, while the small castle tower has two floors, four stories and one basement floor. The highlights are the chidorihafu on all four sides and the karahafu on the top floor. The small castle tower also has a hidden gate.
The castle tower was restored after the Kumamoto earthquake and reopened to the public in June 2021, with revamped exhibits. Information about the castle's history from the time of Kumamoto Castle is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner using historical documents, videos, models, and more. The view from the observation deck on the top floor is beautiful, offering a panoramic view of Kumamoto city and the Aso mountains. Also, be sure to check out the existing remains, such as stone walls and wells, in the basement of the small castle tower at the entrance. - Highlights of Kumamoto Castle ② Special Observation Passage
- The main enclosure of Kumamoto Castle is currently undergoing restoration work, but a special observation corridor, an aerial corridor about 6m high and 350m long, was opened in June 2020. It's rare to have the opportunity to look down on the turrets and stone walls from such a high vantage point. There are a north route and a south route, and the north route is currently only open on Saturdays and Sundays.
It will be open to the public for a limited time until around 2042, depending on the progress of the reconstruction work, and the turret may be open to the public for a limited time. In 2024, it will be possible to view the inside of the bare roof of the Uto Turret, which is currently undergoing dismantling and preservation work.
The Uto Tower is a designated Important Cultural Property and is located on the northwest side of the Honmaru. You can view its exterior by taking the north route. It is called the "third castle tower" due to its size, with three floors, five stories and one basement, and it still retains the appearance of the original castle, but due to damage caused by the earthquake, it has been decided to dismantle it and restore it. - Highlights of Kumamoto Castle 3: The elegant Musha-gaeshi stone walls
- Kumamoto Castle's stone walls are famous for their unique curves. The stone walls, called "Musha-gaeshi" (warrior's curve), are gentle at the bottom but curve more sharply towards the top, so they were named after the fact that they prevent enemies from climbing up. They are also called "fan slopes" because of their fan-like silhouette.
The most famous of these is the "Two Stone Walls" on the west side of the upper section of the Honmaru. Here you can see two stone walls connected together, with clearly different curvatures and stacking methods. The one on the right is thought to date back to the time of Kato Kiyomasa, and the newer one on the left to his son, Kato Tadahiro, or to the time of Hosokawa (there are various theories). You can see them from the special viewing passage. - Highlights of Kumamoto Castle #4: Honmaru Palace
- Kumamoto Castle is home to the Honmaru Palace, which was rebuilt in 2008 and is characterized by its gorgeous interior, including the Zhaojun Room, which depicts the story of Wang Zhaojun, a beautiful woman from the Western Han Dynasty in China, painted by the Kano school.
Previously, it was possible to tour the interior, but due to damage caused by the earthquake, as of 2024 it is no longer possible to enter the building. However, it is possible to tour the underground passageway "Yamiri Passageway" located under the floor of the Honmaru Palace. This passageway is extremely rare nationwide, so be sure to go through it. - Recommended photo spots
- A recommended photo spot for Kumamoto Castle, which is currently under reconstruction, is in front of the "Niyo no Ishigaki" (stone wall of two styles) on the special observation passage. This is a place where you can see the castle tower and stone walls, and the passage is wide for taking photos. You can also get a great view of the castle tower from Kato Shrine, which enshrines Kato Kiyomasa. If you want to take photos from a distance, we recommend the observation lobby on the 14th floor of Kumamoto City Hall.
- WriterNaoko Kurimoto(Writer)I am a former travel industry magazine reporter. I have loved history, both Japanese and world history, since I was a child. I usually enjoy visiting temples and shrines, especially shrines, and often do ``pilgrimages to sacred places'' themed around historical figures. My favorite military commander is Ishida Mitsunari, my favorite castle is Kumamoto Castle, and my favorite castle ruins is Hagi Castle. My heart flutters when I see the ruins of battle castles and the stone walls of castle ruins.
Kumamoto Castle column
Introduction column by castle enthusiasts
