Chiba Castle (千葉城 Chiba-jō) was the forerunner of Kumamoto Castle. It is in the south of Japan, not to be confused with Chiba, near Tokyo. Chiba castle was once residence to Miyamoto Musashi before he moved to Reigandō, the castle was awarded to him by the daimyo of the Kumamoto domain, Hosokawa Tadatoshi, along with 17 retainers, a stipend of 300 koku, and the rank of ōkumigashira. The castle was in the Kumamoto Domain.