Tadatsugu Sakai (2/2)First of the Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings

Aiyari is commonly known as ``Kamedo Oshiyari.'' It is said that during a battle, a cornered enemy hid with a water jar over his head, and Tadatsugu Sakai used the water jar to pierce the enemy, which is why it came to be called the ``Matsuyari.''

The pottery spear still exists and is stored at the Chido Museum in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. It is a work by Yoshihiro Sanjo, a swordsmith who was active in Yamashiro Province (present-day southern Kyoto Prefecture) during the Muromachi period, and has a narrow blade.

Tadatsugu's favorite items are not only spears. His beloved sword ``Inoshishigiri'' also still exists. It is said that the word ``Igiri'' was engraved in gold on the handle of the sword after he cut a boar while out hunting with Ieyasu Tokugawa. This is called kinzogan.

Ida Castle

Ida Castle is the residence of the Sakai family. It is also the birthplace of Tadatsugu Sakai. It is unknown when and by whom the castle was built, but it is said to be the Battle of Idano, where Chikatada Matsudaira, an ancestor of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and others fought against the local feudal lords of Kamo District around Ida Castle. The story remains. The battle continued for almost 100 years, and the Matsudaira family won out and produced Tokugawa Ieyasu, who eventually unified the country, leading to the Tokugawa era of peace.

Unfortunately, the remains of Ida Castle no longer exist. The site is currently maintained as Shiroyama Park, and is located on a hill with a panoramic view of the plains. The location suggests that the view was good back then.

Okazaki Castle

Okazaki Castle is the castle where Tokugawa Ieyasu was born, and is an important castle for Ieyasu when he was young. It was built around Myodaiji Temple in 1452 (1st year of Kyotoku) or 1456 (4th year of Kyotoku) by Yoritsugu Saigo, the governor of Mikawa.

After that, it became the residence of the Matsudaira family, and in 1531 (Kyoroku 4), Tokugawa Ieyasu's grandfather, Matsudaira Kiyoyasu, moved it to its current location.

While Tokugawa Ieyasu was away as a hostage of the Imagawa family, the Mikawa samurai corps, including Tadatsugu Sakai, took care of him while he was away, and after Tokugawa Ieyasu returned, Okazaki Castle remained an important residence until today.

No buildings of Okazaki Castle remain as they were back then. In 1959 (Showa 34), the castle tower, well turret, and attached turret were restored with reinforced concrete. The Otemon gate was also rebuilt in 1993. Okazaki Park, which was developed around the ruins of Okazaki Castle, is a vast site with many historical sites remaining, conveying history to the present day. It is also loved as a place for citizens to relax.

Fukuya Castle

Fukuya Castle is said to have been built by Haradaemontaro Ujishige in the late 15th century. Hirayama Castle has five outposts centered on the main keep, and in 1555 (Tenbun 24), Tadatsugu Sakai, who was serving the Imagawa family at the time, played a central role in preventing attacks by the Oda family.

After the fall of the Imagawa family, the Oda family and the Matsudaira family formed an alliance, and Fukutani Castle became unnecessary and was abandoned. The Fukutani Castle ruins are now a park, and the building itself no longer exists.

Yoshida Castle

Yoshida Castle's predecessor was Imabashi Castle, which was built by Makino Kohaku in 1496 (Meiō 5) or 1505 (Eisho 2). Since its construction, the Makino family, Imagawa family, Takeda family, and Matsudaira family have fought for it, and it has become the stage of conflict. In 1564 (Eiroku 7), Tokugawa Ieyasu conquered Mikawa. Tadatsugu Sakai becomes the lord of Yoshida Castle. Tadatsugu Sakai is building a new moat at Yoshida Castle.

Yoshida Castle remained in existence until the Meiji era. The building of Yoshida Castle no longer exists, but the restored tetsuro has become the symbol of Yoshida Castle.

Nagashino Castle

Nagashino Castle Ruins is a nationally designated historic site. Nagashino Castle, also known as Ogi Castle and Suehiro Castle, was built in 1508 by Suganuma Motonari at the confluence of the Toyo River and Usure River. Nagashino Castle stands on a cliff, using two rivers as moats, making it a truly natural fortress. It is also a key transportation hub, and has been the site of a battle between the Takeda and Tokugawa families.

Nagashino Castle was the scene of the Battle of Nagashino and Shitarahara in 1575 (Taisho 3), but Tadatsugu Sakai bravely fought and saved Nagashino Castle.

In 1576 (Tensho 4), the lord of the castle, Nobumasa Okudaira, built a new castle to replace Nagashino Castle, which had been damaged and damaged in battle. The residence was moved and Nagashino Castle became an abandoned castle.

As remains of Nagashino Castle, there are places where the remains of the Kuruwa, the dry moat, and the earthworks remain. The ``Nagashino Castle Ruins Historic Site Preservation Museum'' is built on the castle ruins, and many materials related to the battles of Nagashino are on display. You can learn more about the battle over Nagashino Castle.