Tsukui Castle (津久井城 Tsukui-jō) was a mountain castle located on Shiroyama (城山), which rises along the Sagami River in western Sagamihara, Kanagawa. It was situated along a highway linking Sagami and Kai provinces along the Sagami River and was an important transport hub, bordering Hachiōji in Musashi Province to the north. The Tsukui area was also economically important for its abundant forest resources.
Tsukui Castle was reportedly built by the Tsukui clan, a branch of the Miura clan that was powerful throughout the Miura Peninsula in the Kamakura period. During the Sengoku period, when the Odawara Hōjō clan extended its power to Sagami, this area also came under its control. Tsukui Castle then played an essential defence against the Takeda clan. Under the Naitō clan, the castle's fortifications were improved. In 1569 (Eiroku 12), the Hōjō and Takeda armies clashed at Sanmasu Pass, south of the castle. However, the Naito clan at Tsukui Castle was unable to move due to the checks of other Takeda forces. In 1590 (Tensho 18), during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attack on Odawara, Tsukui Castle was also attacked by Honda Tadakatsu and Hiraiwa Nobuyoshi and fell.
Shiroyama, where the castle was built, is located strategically between the deep valleys of the Sagami River to the north and the Kushi River to the south. The structure consists of a mountain castle area with defensive facilities on the summit and along the ridge of the 375-metre-high Shiroyama, and a negoya (根小屋) site where the lord's mansion and the residences of his retainers were built at the western foot of the mountain.
Based on the Aerial Photograph Service of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
For my first castle walk of the year, I decided on Tsukui Castle to get rid of my New Year's weight gain.
Take the Keio Sagamihara Line to Hashimoto Station, the terminal station, connecting with the JR Yokohama and Sagami Lines. From there, take a bus to the mountain. The park centre in the southwest of the castle is probably the main entrance to the hill, but we decided to climb from the Ogura entrance in the east as we wanted to traverse the mountain.
① Ogura Exit (小倉口)
The surrounding roads are currently being upgraded in preparation for completing the Ken-O Expressway. For this reason, slight diversions are necessary to reach the entrance to the castle.
Along the ridge that rises gently from the Ogura exit, the map says there is a group of berms, but they are deep in the vegetation and not well defined.
② Hawk shooting range (鷹射場)
On the way, we came to a relatively open area called the Hawk Shooting Range (鷹射場 Takauchiba). The origin of the name is not written, so it is not clear, but it may have been used for falconry from the name.
The remains of a moat cut in front of the Iinawa Kuruwa (飯縄曲輪). Several dugouts have been set up on the castle hill.
③ Iinawa Kuruwa (飯縄曲輪)
The building slightly behind is the Iinawa Shrine (飯縄神社).
Treasure Pond (宝ヶ池 Takaragaike)
This spring is located near the Iinawa Curve. The water is said to have gushed out steadily even in times of drought. Not only here, but the whole of Shiroyama is said to have an abundance of springs and wells.
Osugi (大杉), the Large Cedar
The large cedar by the Iinawa Kuruwa was regrettably destroyed by lightning in August 2013. The scorch marks are vivid and clearly show the destructive power of lightning.
The Taiko Kuruwa (太鼓曲輪) is located between the Honjō Kuruwa (本城曲輪) and Iinawa Kuruwa (飯縄曲輪).
This is the moat cut in front of the Honjō Kuruwa. It is imagined that a drawbridge may have been provided, as depicted on an old map.
④ Honjo Kuruwa (本城曲輪)
This is the main castle Kuruwa, which is the castle's centre. The Kuruwa has a raised triangle in the middle.
A stone monument is located in one corner of the main castle circle. It was erected in 1816 (Bunka 13) by Shimazaki Tadanao (島崎律直), a descendant of the former castle lord Naito's vassal Shimazaki, the village head at the time. Leading masters of the time were involved in its creation, including Matsudaira Sadanobu (松平定信), a senior statesman, for the title.
This is a view of the Honjō Kuruwa (本城曲輪), including the stone monument. The earthworks are well preserved here.
View of the Tama Hills (多摩丘陵) from the Kuruwa.
⑤ Ruins of the Oyashiki (御屋敷跡)
This is a site in the Nekoya area at the foot of the mountain, where the castle's lord, Naito, is believed to have had his residence. Excavations have revealed a moat 2.5 metres deep and a half-underground storehouse. In the early Edo period, a camp for deputy magistrates was also located here.
Shiroyama Dam and Lake Tsukui are on the north side of the castle. The construction of the dam means that the valley was quite deep.
The paths are well maintained, and the mountain is suitable for moderate exercise, but there are many branching paths, so you may want to bring a map with you when you visit.
Date of visit: 3 January 2014
Tsukui Castle was reportedly built by the Tsukui clan, a branch of the Miura clan that was powerful throughout the Miura Peninsula in the Kamakura period. During the Sengoku period, when the Odawara Hōjō clan extended its power to Sagami, this area also came under its control. Tsukui Castle then played an essential defence against the Takeda clan. Under the Naitō clan, the castle's fortifications were improved. In 1569 (Eiroku 12), the Hōjō and Takeda armies clashed at Sanmasu Pass, south of the castle. However, the Naito clan at Tsukui Castle was unable to move due to the checks of other Takeda forces. In 1590 (Tensho 18), during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attack on Odawara, Tsukui Castle was also attacked by Honda Tadakatsu and Hiraiwa Nobuyoshi and fell.
Shiroyama, where the castle was built, is located strategically between the deep valleys of the Sagami River to the north and the Kushi River to the south. The structure consists of a mountain castle area with defensive facilities on the summit and along the ridge of the 375-metre-high Shiroyama, and a negoya (根小屋) site where the lord's mansion and the residences of his retainers were built at the western foot of the mountain.
Based on the Aerial Photograph Service of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
For my first castle walk of the year, I decided on Tsukui Castle to get rid of my New Year's weight gain.
Take the Keio Sagamihara Line to Hashimoto Station, the terminal station, connecting with the JR Yokohama and Sagami Lines. From there, take a bus to the mountain. The park centre in the southwest of the castle is probably the main entrance to the hill, but we decided to climb from the Ogura entrance in the east as we wanted to traverse the mountain.
① Ogura Exit (小倉口)
The surrounding roads are currently being upgraded in preparation for completing the Ken-O Expressway. For this reason, slight diversions are necessary to reach the entrance to the castle.
Along the ridge that rises gently from the Ogura exit, the map says there is a group of berms, but they are deep in the vegetation and not well defined.
② Hawk shooting range (鷹射場)
On the way, we came to a relatively open area called the Hawk Shooting Range (鷹射場 Takauchiba). The origin of the name is not written, so it is not clear, but it may have been used for falconry from the name.
The remains of a moat cut in front of the Iinawa Kuruwa (飯縄曲輪). Several dugouts have been set up on the castle hill.
③ Iinawa Kuruwa (飯縄曲輪)
The building slightly behind is the Iinawa Shrine (飯縄神社).
Treasure Pond (宝ヶ池 Takaragaike)
This spring is located near the Iinawa Curve. The water is said to have gushed out steadily even in times of drought. Not only here, but the whole of Shiroyama is said to have an abundance of springs and wells.
Osugi (大杉), the Large Cedar
The large cedar by the Iinawa Kuruwa was regrettably destroyed by lightning in August 2013. The scorch marks are vivid and clearly show the destructive power of lightning.
The Taiko Kuruwa (太鼓曲輪) is located between the Honjō Kuruwa (本城曲輪) and Iinawa Kuruwa (飯縄曲輪).
This is the moat cut in front of the Honjō Kuruwa. It is imagined that a drawbridge may have been provided, as depicted on an old map.
④ Honjo Kuruwa (本城曲輪)
This is the main castle Kuruwa, which is the castle's centre. The Kuruwa has a raised triangle in the middle.
A stone monument is located in one corner of the main castle circle. It was erected in 1816 (Bunka 13) by Shimazaki Tadanao (島崎律直), a descendant of the former castle lord Naito's vassal Shimazaki, the village head at the time. Leading masters of the time were involved in its creation, including Matsudaira Sadanobu (松平定信), a senior statesman, for the title.
This is a view of the Honjō Kuruwa (本城曲輪), including the stone monument. The earthworks are well preserved here.
View of the Tama Hills (多摩丘陵) from the Kuruwa.
⑤ Ruins of the Oyashiki (御屋敷跡)
This is a site in the Nekoya area at the foot of the mountain, where the castle's lord, Naito, is believed to have had his residence. Excavations have revealed a moat 2.5 metres deep and a half-underground storehouse. In the early Edo period, a camp for deputy magistrates was also located here.
Shiroyama Dam and Lake Tsukui are on the north side of the castle. The construction of the dam means that the valley was quite deep.
The paths are well maintained, and the mountain is suitable for moderate exercise, but there are many branching paths, so you may want to bring a map with you when you visit.
Date of visit: 3 January 2014
Access:
- Address: Negoya, Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0153
- Access: Kanagawa Chuo Bus from Hashimoto Station on JR Yokohama Line, Sagami Line and Keio Sagamihara Line.
1 kilometre from Sagamihara Interchange on Ken-O Expressway. - Parking: Castle Park parking lot (free of charge).
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