Important Cultural Property (extant tower) / National Historic SiteShikoku

丸亀城

Marugame Castle

Burgherr

Ikoma Chikamasa / Kyōgoku clan

Epoche

Built in 1597 (Keichō 2)

Bezeichnung

Important Cultural Property (extant tower) / National Historic Site

Standort

Ichibanchō, Marugame, Kagawa

Anfahrt

About 10 min walk from JR Marugame Station

Überblick

Marugame Castle is celebrated as a masterpiece of stone wall engineering. Its four-tiered walls, rising approximately 60 meters in total, are the tallest in Japan. The three-story surviving tower is also known as the smallest extant castle tower in Japan, yet its dignified stance atop the magnificent walls commands respect. Built by Ikoma Chikamasa and completed by the Kyōgoku clan, the castle overlooks the Sanuki Plain with views extending to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Partial stone wall collapse from 2018 heavy rains is currently being repaired. The castle grounds, maintained as Kameyama Park, are also a noted cherry blossom spot.

Verbindung zu Schwertern

Sanuki Province (Kagawa Prefecture) had active swordsmiths since ancient times, producing practical blades. The Kyōgoku lords of Marugame descended from the prestigious Ōmi Genji lineage, maintaining a warrior tradition of preserving fine swords. The Kyōgoku, heirs of the Sasaki clan, wielded power as shugo daimyō during the Muromachi period. Sanuki's proximity to Bizen Province across the Seto Inland Sea made it a distribution hub for Bizen swords. Crossing the Seto Ōhashi Bridge from Marugame Castle to Bizen Osafune offers a journey through the sword culture of the Seto Inland Sea region. The Marugame City Museum provides insight into Sanuki's history and armaments.