| Kōriyama Castle | |
|---|---|
郡山城 | |
| Yamatokōriyama, Nara, Japan | |
 A gate at the castle | |
  Kōriyama Castle  Kōriyama Castle | |
| Coordinates | 34°39′6.9″N 135°46′44.18″E / 34.651917°N 135.7789389°E |
| Type | yamashiro-style Japanese castle |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Mizuno clan, Matsudaira clan, Honda clan, Yanagisawa clan |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1580 |
| Built by | Tsutsui Junkei |
| In use | until 1873 |
Kōriyama Castle (郡山城, Kōriyama-jō) is a Japanese castle in what is now the city of Yamatokōriyama, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Sengoku daimyō Tsutsui Junkei started construction of the castle, and Toyotomi Hidenaga made it his residence.[1] In the Edo period, it became the headquarters of the Kōriyama Domain. During this time it was held by members of the Mizuno, Okudaira Matsudaira, Honda, Fujii Matsudaira, and Yanagisawa clans.
Kōriyama Castle is known in part for some unusual components in its stone walls, including gravetones and a stone image of Jizo, a deity associated with children and protection.[2]
Today, many walls and moats are preserved in a public park in the city. Several turrets and a gate were reconstructed in the 1980's.[3] The Yanagisawa Shrine stands on the grounds.
The Castle was listed as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles in 2017.[4] In 2022, it was also designated a National Historic Site.[5]
Photographs
[edit]-
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Wall and moat -
Turret atop a stone wall -
Yanagisawa Bunko (library)
Access
[edit]The nearest station is Kintetsu-Kōriyama.
Sources
[edit]This article incorporates material from the articles 郡山城 (大和国) (Kōriyama-jō (Yamato no Kuni)) and 郡山藩 (Kōriyama-han) in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved on May 4, 2008.
Literature
[edit]- De Lange, William (2021). An Encyclopedia of Japanese Castles. Groningen: Toyo Press. pp. 600 pages. ISBN 978-9492722300.
References
[edit]- ^ Yamatokoriyama Archived 2006-10-06 at the Wayback Machine City Government official page, retrieved May 4, 2008
- ^ Kōriyama Castle https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1000/
- ^ http://www.japanese-castle-explorer.com/castle_profile.html?name=Koriyama [bare URL]
- ^ "続日本100名城" (in Japanese). 日本城郭協会. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ "文化審議会の答申（史跡等の指定等）について". Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. 文化庁報道発表. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
