Akashi Castle

Akashi Castle
明石城
Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Tatsumi Yagura(r) and Hitsujisaru Yagura(l)
Type Japanese castle
Built 1617 to 1619
Built by Ogasawara Tadazane
In use 1619 to 1874
Demolished 1874
Current
condition
Ruins, save two yagura and a connecting wall

Akashi Castle (明石城 Akashijō?) is a Japanese castle in Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

This castle was constructed by Ogasawara Tadazane as his own castle from 1617 to 1619 to watch over the western lords, by the order of Tokugawa Hidetada, on Mount Akamatsu. The castle was built in one year, which was a relatively short amount of time. This was done so quickly because a law had been issued in 1615, declaring that there would only be one castle per clan. As a result, many castles had to be dismantled and parts of some were used to construct Akashi Castle.

Akashi castle located in Akashi, which is a very important strategic place between Osaka and western Japan, where many major tozama daimyo had their feudal estates. Akashi Castle was expected to play the role of a keystone to stop their invasions to Osaka.

Akashi castle underwent major repairs in 1739, and was abolished by the Meiji Government in 1874.

Cultural Property

In Akashi Castle, there are two Important Cultural Properties selected by Japanese government:

These two yagura, or towers, are the castle's only remaining buildings.

Access

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Akashi_Castle Akashi Castle] at Wikimedia Commons