Yonago Castle

Yonago Castle was a castle in Yonago, Tottori, Japan.

Yonago Castle
米子城跡
Kumecho, Yonago, Tottori Prefecture 683-0824, Japan
Stone wall of Honmaru Base and Tenshu Tower
Yonago Castle from air
TypeJapanese castle
Site information
ConditionNational Important Cultural Property
Site history
Built byKikkawa Hiroi

The actual site sits atop a mountain that strategically looks over Yonago's main river and its connection to the sea.[1] When it was finally completed, the structure was a five-story castle, and it was the largest castle in the San'in area.[2]

In 1467, a fort was constructed by Yamana Muneyuki on Mt Iinoyama, just east of where Yonago Castle is presently located. However, the first actual castle was constructed on the site by Kikkawa Hiroie.

In 1591 the castle fell to the Kikkawa clan. They undertook a major redevelopment of the castle, but eventually lost control of the castle, after fighting with the losing side in the battle of Battle of Sekigahara.[3] By 1600 the Kikkawa clan were transferred to Iwakuni, and the Nakamura clan were given the lordship of the castle.

In 1601 major upgrade works on the castle were completed, including a 5-layer tower.[1]

Then the castle was given to Kato clan, next to Ikeda clan, and finally to a retainer of the Ikeda. The retainer's descendants, the Arao family, maintained the lordship of the castle until the Meiji period, when it was handed over to the government. It was dismantled, with some of its buildings sold off.[3]

Present site

On the present site, castle steps, foundations and a gate are the only remnants of the castle.[4] The extant Ohara Nagayamon Gate is present on site, previously being part of the house of a vassal to the Aori family.

The Castle was listed as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles in 2017.[5]

See also

References
  1. O'Grady, Daniel. "Yonago Castle". Japanese Castle Explorer. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  2. "Yonago Castle Ruins". Kotobuki Castle. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  3. "Yonago Castle". Jcastle: Guide to Japanese Castles. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  4. "Yonago Castle Ruin". Yonago Tourist Guide. Yonago City Tourism Association. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  5. "続日本100名城" (in Japanese). 日本城郭協会. Retrieved 25 July 2019.

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