Uwajima Castle

Uwajima Castle (宇和島城, Uwajima-jō) is a hirayama-jiro (Japanese castle on a hill on a plain) in Uwajima, Ehime, Japan. An alternate name for this castle is Tsurushima-jō. The castle is well known as one of twelve Japanese castles to still have an original donjon built in the Edo period.[1]

Uwajima Castle
宇和島城
Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, Japan
The original wooden tenshu (keep) of Uwajima Castle
TypeHirayamajiro (hilltop castle)
HeightThree stories
Site information
ConditionThe tenshu and some ruins remain.
Site history
Built1596–1601
Built byTōdō Takatora
In use1601 to 1889
MaterialsEarth, stone, and wood
DemolishedMost of the castle during the Meiji Restoration, though the tenshu survived.
Japanese name
Kanji宇和島城
Hiraganaうわじまじょう

History

The castle was constructed in 1596 by a daimyō named Tōdō Takatora after being given a small fiefdom by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1595.[2] The castle experienced major repairs and expansion in 1671. The Ōte Gate was burnt to the ground by American bombing during World War II.[3]

Cultural Property

Uwajima castle is an Important Cultural Property selected by the Japanese government:[4]

  • Tenshukaku (Donjon Tower)

Access

References

  1. "Uwajima". Gaijinpot. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  2. "Uwajima Castle". Jcastle.info. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  3. "Uwajima Castle". Japanese Castle Explorer. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  4. "宇和島城天守" (in Japanese). The Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 2019-03-25.

Literature

  • Mitchelhill, Jennifer (2013). Castles of the Samurai:Power & Beauty. USA: Kodansha. ISBN 978-1568365121.
  • Schmorleitz, Morton S. (1974). Castles in Japan. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Co. ISBN 0-8048-1102-4.
  • Motoo, Hinago (1986). Japanese Castles. Tokyo: Kodansha. pp. 200 pages. ISBN 0-87011-766-1.

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