米沢城（舞鶴城）
Yonezawa Castle (Maizuru Castle)
Overview
Yonezawa Castle, located in Yamagata Prefecture, was the birthplace of Date Masamune and later the stronghold of Uesugi Kagekatsu and his brilliant chief retainer Naoe Kanetsugu. After the Battle of Sekigahara reduced the Uesugi domain from 1.2 million to 300,000 koku, Kanetsugu undertook remarkable administrative reforms that saved the domain. The ninth lord Uesugi Yōzan implemented further sweeping reforms that gained admiration from JFK. The castle site now houses Uesugi Shrine, dedicated to the legendary warrior Uesugi Kenshin. The Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum holds a magnificent collection of Uesugi-clan swords, armor, and art.
Connection to Swords
Yonezawa Castle's sword heritage is inseparable from Uesugi Kenshin, one of the greatest warriors in Japanese history. His most famous sword, Himetsuruichimonji, is a masterwork of the Ichimonji school of Bizen Province and remains the spiritual symbol of the Uesugi clan. Kenshin clashed five times with Takeda Shingen at the battles of Kawanakajima, creating one of history's greatest rivalries. Naoe Kanetsugu, Kagekatsu's brilliant retainer, had a refined aesthetic sense that helped preserve cultural treasures through the clan's difficult post-Sekigahara years. The Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum houses one of Tōhoku's finest sword collections, including designated national treasures and important cultural properties.
Highlights
- Uesugi Shrine (on the honmaru site, dedicated to Uesugi Kenshin)
- Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum (national treasure swords and Uesugi clan treasures)
- Statues of Uesugi Kenshin and Yōzan
- Uesugi Family Mausoleum (National Historic Site)
- Keishow-den Treasure Hall (Kenshin's armor, swords, and battle gear)
- Yonezawa beef cuisine
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.