Ichinomiya Castle


Ichinomiya Castle is a mountaintop castle in Tokushima, Japan.

History

Built in 1338, the castle was built on a strategic important site, a river in front and a mountain, both features giving it some protection as natural defenses. It was originally built by the Osagawaura clan. The Clan was appointed to govern the Awa Country. In the conflict between Emperor Godaigo and Takauji Ashikaga, the founder of the Muromachi shogunate, the Osagawaura supported the Emperor, and with his defeat, lost the castle. It was given to the Ichinomiya clan
From the 14th to 16th century, generations of the Ichinomiya family ruled the castle. Hachisuka Iemasa was made lord of the castle after that. The Castle was deconstructed in 1615. It was a hilltop castle, and it was built on the same site that Ichinomiya Castle originally was sited. In a conflict between Motochika Chosokabe and the Miyoshi, even though the Ichinomiya supported him, Motochika mistrusted the clan and removed the castle from their control, directly controlling it himself.
. The castle was finally demolished under the Ikkoku Ichijyo Rei/ one domein one castle rule of 1615.

Shikoku campaign

IN 1585 Hideyoshi Toyotomi started a campaign against Motochika Chosokabe and his clan. Hideyoshi Toyotomi marched with 100,000 soldiers again Motochiba who only had 40,000. Hidenaga Toyotomi, the younger brother, led 40,000 soldiers to lay siege to the castle. After initially attack it, they then moved to destroy the water source for the castle. Considering they were outnumbered, and had no water supply, the castle surrendered to Toyotomi. With the surrender of the castle, Motochika Chosokabe himself surrendered. The battle around the castle was the central part of the campaign.

Current site

Presently, most of the remains of the castle that still stand currently are some bailey walls, and stairs. The site is signposted and accessible for tourists.
The Castle was listed as one of　the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles in 2017.