Izushi Castle
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Izushi Castle (出石城 Izushi-jō?) is a yamashiro, or castle situated on a hill, located in Izushi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
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[edit] History
Yamana Suketoyo constructed a castle on Mount Ariko. This fell to Toyotomi forces in 1580. Izushi Castle was built by Yoshifusa Koide at the base of the mountain following this in in 1604.[1]
[edit] Today
In 1979, the Tojomon (Tojo gate) and the Nishisumiyagura in the honmaru were re-built. Besides these reconstructions, only the castle's ruins still remain, though the city of Izushi retains its grid layout which was arranged for militatry purposes around the castle.[2] A shrine is sited within the ruins, with 37 torii and 157 stone steps leading up to it.[3] On the remains of the mihariyagura stands the Shinkoro, a traditional Japanese wooden clock tower. Following the Meiji Restoration, a western-style clock was installed in it. It is seen as the symbol of the town.[4]
[edit] Sources
- http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/tajima/index.html
- http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/columns/0005/lens137.htm
- http://www.jnto.go.jp/tourism/en/57.html
- http://www.jcastle.info/castle/profile/24-Izushi-Castle
