Takatō Castle

Takato Castle, also known as Kabuto-jo, was a castle located in Matsumoto, Nagano in Japan. Built sometime in the 16th c, it is now largely ruins.

History

The original date of construction of Takato Castle is unknown, however before its construction, there was originally another fortification on the same site, controlled by the Takato clan for the Suwa. There was a siege at this castle, in 1545, with Takeda Shingen attacked the Takato clan in 1545 and taking the castle. He rebuilt it into a typical modern castle for the time. The castle was later taken over by Oda Nobunaga, who added large dry moats around each of the kuruwa (still extant). It was an important castle for the area.

From the fall of the Shingen Clan, until the early Edo Period with the Naito clan lordship, there was a succession of several castle lords. The Naito family ruled until the Meiji Restoration, after which the castle was decommissioned. The cherry blossoms currently in the part were planted in the Meiji Period.

It was eventually torn down in the Meiji era.

Castle siege

There was a siege at this castle, in 1545. Takeda Shingen, pushing through the Ima Valley of Shinano, sought to take control of the entire province. He defeated Takatō Yoritsugu, the Lord of the castle. Takatō had relied on support from his allies, Ogasawara Nagatoki and Tozawa Yorichika, however, they failed to aid in the defence of the castle.

Current site

The Takato Castle ruins sit currently in a large Castle park, Takato Castle Ruins Park (高遠城址公園 /Takatōjōshi Kōen). The park is reputedly one of the three best locations to see Sakura cherry blossoms in Japan, together with Hirosaki Castle and Yoshinoyama. Very little of the Castle remain, mostly stone walls. There are some period building, but they were all constructed in the post=feudal era.