山形城（霞城）
Yamagata Castle (Kajō)
Présentation
Yamagata Castle was founded in 1357 and transformed into a major modern fortress by Mogami Yoshiaki after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, when his 570,000-koku domain became one of the largest in Tōhoku. The castle's elegant nickname 'Kajō' (Mist Castle) evokes the ethereal sight of its white tower drifting in the spring haze above the Yamagata basin. Yoshiaki was a shrewd military commander who held off Uesugi Kagekatsu's invasion during the Keichō Dewa campaign. The castle town flourished on Mogami River trade including the lucrative safflower commerce. The reconstructed Second Bailey East Gate and extensive stone walls can be visited in the Kajō Park today.
Lien avec les sabres
Mogami Yoshiaki was renowned for his physical prowess — reportedly over six feet tall — and his ability to wield oversized weapons. After Sekigahara, his vast wealth funded sword collecting at an elite level. The Mogami domain inherited skilled craftsmen in the castle town, and Dewa Province's rich iron sands supported local swordsmiths who excelled in practical, powerful blades influenced by Sōshū and Yamato traditions. The Yamagata City Museum preserves armor and sword fittings associated with the Mogami clan.
Points d'intérêt
- Reconstructed Second Bailey East Gate — one of Japan's largest castle gate reconstructions
- First Bailey stone walls (ichi-no-moji gate area) — masterwork of fitted stone construction
- Cherry blossoms in Kajō Park (approx. 1,500 trees)
- Yamagata City Museum — Mogami clan armor, sword fittings, and historical exhibits
- Mogami Yoshiaki History Museum
- Yamadera (Risshakuji) temple — famous Bashō poem site, about 20 min by car
* Les horaires d'ouverture et les tarifs sont susceptibles de changer. Veuillez consulter le site officiel avant votre visite.
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