Izushi Castle

nihongo|Izushi Castle|出石城|Izushi-jō is a "yamashiro", or castle situated on a hill, located in Izushi, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

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. [ [http://www.jcastle.info/castle/profile/24-Izushi-Castle Izushi Castle ] ]

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. [ [http://www.jnto.go.jp/tourism/en/57.html Izushi(Toyooka, Hyogo) ] ] A shrine is sited within the ruins, with 37 torii and 157 stone steps leading up to it. [ [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/columns/0005/lens137.htm Izushicho celebrates 400 years as castle town : Lens on Japan : Columns : DAILY YOMIURI ONLINE (The Daily Yomiuri) ] ] 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. [ [http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/tajima/index.html ::::: Tajima ::::: Hyogo International Tourism Guide - Hyogo Prefecture ] ]

ources

* 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

References