Washi Castle (鷲城 Washijō) was constructed approximately 1.5 kilometres southwest of Gion Castle (祇園城 Gionjō), along the Omoi River (思川). For the Oyama clan (小山氏), which held power in the former Shimotsuke Province (下野国), it was one of their principal residences, on par with Gion Castle.
Between 1380 and 1382, Oyama Yoshimasa (小山義政) was attacked by Ashikaga Ujimitsu (足利氏満, 1359–1398), the Kamakura Kubō (鎌倉公方). Yoshimasa resisted by taking refuge in fortresses such as Washi Castle, but in the end, he was driven into a corner and took his own life.
Washi Castle was a strategically important stronghold, surrounded by the Omoi River, marshes, and low-lying wetlands. It consisted of two enclosures (曲輪 kuruwa): the central enclosure (中城) and the outer enclosure (外城).
Aerial photographs taken from Geographical Survey Institute maps. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
The image has been flipped upside down to allow comparison with the topographical map above.
Today, after visiting Gion Castle (祇園城), I drove to the site of Washi Castle (鷲城址). The parking lot at Oyama General Park (小山総合公園) is spacious and convenient. As the opening photo shows, I crossed the vast grassy park under the blazing sun, aiming for the castle ruins. The park was bustling with families.
➣ Entrance to the castle path
From here, the landscape suddenly turns into a forest. The loud Anpanman theme song plays in the background throughout the park, and the ascent to the castle begins.
Can you see that the centre is a dry moat (空堀)? The left side is the central part of the castle, while the right side is an earthen embankment (土塁) built along the outer perimeter.
After climbing a little, you'll see a yokoya (横矢) or flanking projection. It slightly juts out toward the left side.
➣ Naka-jō (中城, Central enclosure)
Climbing further, you arrive at the northern kuruwa (曲輪), known as Naka-jō. The interior of the kuruwa is spacious and surrounded by earthen embankments (土塁 dorui).
➣ Washi Shrine (鷲神社)
This is the shrine from which Washi Castle (鷲城) takes its name.
Though the request is polite, a unique sign stands beside the shrine, asking visitors not to urinate on the sacred grounds.
The approach to Washi Shrine (鷲神社), lined with beautiful cedar trees, is truly picturesque.
Washi Castle, viewed from the Omoi River, is built on a hill along the riverbank, like Gion Castle.
Date of visit: 26 July 2014
Between 1380 and 1382, Oyama Yoshimasa (小山義政) was attacked by Ashikaga Ujimitsu (足利氏満, 1359–1398), the Kamakura Kubō (鎌倉公方). Yoshimasa resisted by taking refuge in fortresses such as Washi Castle, but in the end, he was driven into a corner and took his own life.
Washi Castle was a strategically important stronghold, surrounded by the Omoi River, marshes, and low-lying wetlands. It consisted of two enclosures (曲輪 kuruwa): the central enclosure (中城) and the outer enclosure (外城).
Aerial photographs taken from Geographical Survey Institute maps. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
The image has been flipped upside down to allow comparison with the topographical map above.
Today, after visiting Gion Castle (祇園城), I drove to the site of Washi Castle (鷲城址). The parking lot at Oyama General Park (小山総合公園) is spacious and convenient. As the opening photo shows, I crossed the vast grassy park under the blazing sun, aiming for the castle ruins. The park was bustling with families.
➣ Entrance to the castle path
From here, the landscape suddenly turns into a forest. The loud Anpanman theme song plays in the background throughout the park, and the ascent to the castle begins.
Can you see that the centre is a dry moat (空堀)? The left side is the central part of the castle, while the right side is an earthen embankment (土塁) built along the outer perimeter.
After climbing a little, you'll see a yokoya (横矢) or flanking projection. It slightly juts out toward the left side.
➣ Naka-jō (中城, Central enclosure)
Climbing further, you arrive at the northern kuruwa (曲輪), known as Naka-jō. The interior of the kuruwa is spacious and surrounded by earthen embankments (土塁 dorui).
➣ Washi Shrine (鷲神社)
This is the shrine from which Washi Castle (鷲城) takes its name.
Though the request is polite, a unique sign stands beside the shrine, asking visitors not to urinate on the sacred grounds.
The approach to Washi Shrine (鷲神社), lined with beautiful cedar trees, is truly picturesque.
Washi Castle, viewed from the Omoi River, is built on a hill along the riverbank, like Gion Castle.
Date of visit: 26 July 2014
Access:
- Address: 272 Tojo, Oyama, Tochigi 323-0042
- Access: A 30-minute walk from Oyama Station on the JR Tōhoku Main Line, Mito Line, and Ryōmō Line. Alternatively, it is accessible by car via National Route 50, 17 km from the Sano-Fujioka Interchange on the Tōhoku Expressway via National Route 50.
- Parking: Oyama General Park Parking Lot (Free of charge: Location marked 'P' on the map above).
- Other sights: Gion Castle