Tanesato Castle (種里城 Tanesato-jō) was a mountain castle (山城 yamajiro) built in the western part of Ajigasawa, Aomori, upstream of the Akaishi River (赤石川). The site was designated a National Historic Site in 2002.
Tsugaru Tamenobu (津軽為信), the progenitor of the Tsugaru clan, is a man of unknown origins. The official records of the Tsugaru place him as the founder of the clan, Ōura Mitsunobu (大浦光信), four generations earlier. The following account is one of many theories:
In 1491 (延徳, Entoku 3), Mitsunobu entered the area from Kuji County and established Tanesato Castle. Mitsunobu eventually expanded his power in the Tsugaru Plain area and built Ōura Castle (大浦城) in 1502 (文亀, Bunki 2), appointing his son Morinobu (盛信) as lord of the castle. Mitsunobu died at Tanesato Castle in 1526 (大永, Daiei 6), and a mausoleum was established there. The Ōura clan is said to have subsequently made Ōura Castle their headquarters.
The castle was structured around the main enclosure (主郭), surrounded by other enclosures. It served as a sacred ground to the Tsugaru clan and was dismantled in the Meiji period .
In 1988, Mitsunobu's residence was rebuilt as a museum. Extensive excavations were conducted on the site between 1991 and 1997.
Aerial photographs taken from Geographical Survey Institute maps. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
The central part is a flat area (kuruwa), approximately twenty metres above the level ground. The east side is a cliff facing the Akaishi River, and large moats surround the other three sides. The castle stretches 200 metres north-south and 100 metres east-west and is divided into four large flat areas. At the southwest corner of the central enclosure is a "mausoleum" where Ōura Mitsunobu is said to have been buried.
The most prominent building (24 metres long and 16 metres wide) was built in the early 16th century and is considered Mitsunobu's residence. The lower level of the lord's mansion is lined with small buildings and buildings with small rooms, most likely the residence of vassals.
Apart from everyday household utensils, tea utensils such as Chinese celadon zashiki ornaments, Seto and Mino ware tenmoku tea bowls and tea caddies, tiled earthenware wind furnaces and tea mortars were also found, allowing us to imagine the relaxed lifestyle of the castle's lord and his family. Most ceramics date from the late 15th to early 16th centuries and correspond to Ōura Mitsunobu's entry to Tanesato in 1491 and Mitsunobu's death in 1526.
In the centre of the main enclosure lies Mitsunobu's mausoleum, which displays excavated materials from the castle ruins and materials related to the Tsugaru Clan. Sadly, we did not make it to the museum in time today because we were lost on the road.
The ruins of the main structure are located on a higher level than Mitsunobu's mausoleum. Excavations have revealed that the building was rebuilt more than four times between the end of the 14th century and the second half of the 16th century.
The mausoleum of Mitsunobu was established on the northern side of the main enclosure, down a valley.
This is the mausoleum. According to his last will and testament, Mitsunobu was buried in armour and with his sword in his belt before his death.
To the west of the mausoleum is a mountain stream.
Returning, this is the southern end of the main enclosure.
Akaishi Castle (赤石城 Akashi-jō) is located approximately four kilometres north of Tanesato Castle. Legend has it, Tsugaru Tamenobu was born here.
Date of visit: 14 June 2014
Tsugaru Tamenobu (津軽為信), the progenitor of the Tsugaru clan, is a man of unknown origins. The official records of the Tsugaru place him as the founder of the clan, Ōura Mitsunobu (大浦光信), four generations earlier. The following account is one of many theories:
In 1491 (延徳, Entoku 3), Mitsunobu entered the area from Kuji County and established Tanesato Castle. Mitsunobu eventually expanded his power in the Tsugaru Plain area and built Ōura Castle (大浦城) in 1502 (文亀, Bunki 2), appointing his son Morinobu (盛信) as lord of the castle. Mitsunobu died at Tanesato Castle in 1526 (大永, Daiei 6), and a mausoleum was established there. The Ōura clan is said to have subsequently made Ōura Castle their headquarters.
The castle was structured around the main enclosure (主郭), surrounded by other enclosures. It served as a sacred ground to the Tsugaru clan and was dismantled in the Meiji period .
In 1988, Mitsunobu's residence was rebuilt as a museum. Extensive excavations were conducted on the site between 1991 and 1997.
Aerial photographs taken from Geographical Survey Institute maps. The location of the enclosures is estimated.
The central part is a flat area (kuruwa), approximately twenty metres above the level ground. The east side is a cliff facing the Akaishi River, and large moats surround the other three sides. The castle stretches 200 metres north-south and 100 metres east-west and is divided into four large flat areas. At the southwest corner of the central enclosure is a "mausoleum" where Ōura Mitsunobu is said to have been buried.
The most prominent building (24 metres long and 16 metres wide) was built in the early 16th century and is considered Mitsunobu's residence. The lower level of the lord's mansion is lined with small buildings and buildings with small rooms, most likely the residence of vassals.
Excavations:
Many ceramic bowls, plates and mortars made in various parts of the country, including imported items from China and Korea, were excavated. The tableware included lacquer bowls and plates, wooden chopsticks, stone bowls, and iron pots. Various general tools were found, including iron nails and clamps as building tools, swords, a copper stand (vajra board) for esoteric Buddhist tools, mirrors, whetstones and geta. Tetsutei, the iron used for forging, has also been excavated.Apart from everyday household utensils, tea utensils such as Chinese celadon zashiki ornaments, Seto and Mino ware tenmoku tea bowls and tea caddies, tiled earthenware wind furnaces and tea mortars were also found, allowing us to imagine the relaxed lifestyle of the castle's lord and his family. Most ceramics date from the late 15th to early 16th centuries and correspond to Ōura Mitsunobu's entry to Tanesato in 1491 and Mitsunobu's death in 1526.
Visiting the castle:
To reach the castle ruins, follow the Akaishi River upstream. However, if you continue on the west side of the river (on the left bank), the path is cut off halfway. We lost a lot of time because of this. Finally, you arrive at the castle ruins. From here, climb up to the main castle area.In the centre of the main enclosure lies Mitsunobu's mausoleum, which displays excavated materials from the castle ruins and materials related to the Tsugaru Clan. Sadly, we did not make it to the museum in time today because we were lost on the road.
The ruins of the main structure are located on a higher level than Mitsunobu's mausoleum. Excavations have revealed that the building was rebuilt more than four times between the end of the 14th century and the second half of the 16th century.
The mausoleum of Mitsunobu was established on the northern side of the main enclosure, down a valley.
This is the mausoleum. According to his last will and testament, Mitsunobu was buried in armour and with his sword in his belt before his death.
To the west of the mausoleum is a mountain stream.
Returning, this is the southern end of the main enclosure.
Akaishi Castle (赤石城 Akashi-jō) is located approximately four kilometres north of Tanesato Castle. Legend has it, Tsugaru Tamenobu was born here.
Date of visit: 14 June 2014
Access:
- Address: Mitsunobu Manor (Tanesato Castle Site, 光信公の館 (種里城跡)) 〒038-2725 Aomori, Nishitsugaru District, Ajigasawa, Tanesatomachi, Oyanagi-90
- Access: 37 kilometres via National Route 101 from Tsugaru Expressway / Goshogawara Kita Interchange
- Parking: Castle Ruins Parking Lot (Free: Point 'P' on the map above)
Link:
- Ajigasawa Town Homepage (in Japanese)
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