Japan Castle Explorer: Fushimi Castle -Ironical result of secure castle-

Fushimi Castle

-Ironical result of secure castle-

Overview

Name: Fushimi castle (Fushimi-jyo)
Alias: Fushimi Momoyama-jyo (Fushimi Momoyama castle)
Place: Kojyoyama Fushimi-ku Kyoto city, Kyoto
Type: Hill Castle
Built: 1591 for first castle, 1596 for second castle
Remaining remnants: Clay walls, Moats, Transferred turret, gates and palace buildings
Title:

Brief History

Fushimi castle (伏見城) is located at Kohatayama hill beside Ujigawa river, a hill at the south edge of long height spread from east side mountains of Kyoto city. Fushimi area exists at 10 kilometer south of central Kyoto area, and a merging point of large rivers consist of Yodogawa river such as Katsuragawa river, Ujigawa river and Kizugawa river. This area was an important point of communication connected Kyoto city, Osaka city, Otsu city and Nara city. Especially in medieval area there was a huge lake named Oguraike at the area surrounded by curved Ujigawa river and Kizugawa river, and Fushimi area was also vial area for river transportation.

Castles at the south of Kyoto city

Historically there were many castles such as Yodo castle, Shoryuji castle or Makishima castle surrounding Lake Oguraike. Due to its geographical location these castles were involved in the important historical events. Makishima castle was the place of substantial ruin of Muromachi Shogunate by central ruler Nobunaga Oda (1534-1582) in 1573, and Shoryuji castle became the headquarter of Mitsuhide Akechi (1528-1582) at the battle of Yamazaki in 1582.

Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1534-1582) who became the next ruler of Nobunaga Oda after the battle of Yamazaki, depended it power on the economic resource of Osaka city and political authority given by the Emperor lived at Kyoto city. Because of this, it is a critical matter for Toyotomi government to guard Kyoto city and Osaka city. At first Hideyoshi built Jyurakudai, a residence style castle at the center of Kyoto city and placed his nephew and successor Hidetsugu Toyotomi (1568-1595), and also strengthened old Yodo castle as a front gate and placed his concubine Yododono (1569-1615).

Build and collapse of first Fushimi castle

But in 1591, Hideyoshi newly built a new castle as a retirement place at the place of Shigetu, about one kilometer southwest of current Fushimi castle beside Ujigawa river. At first Hideyoshi planned to leave his position to Hideyori and retire, thus he hoped to live the place of Fushimi which at the middle of Kyoto city and Osaka city, to watch two resource of Toyotomi government and support Hideyori lived at Kyoto city.

But two years later, Hideyoshi started to expand this residence into a secure castle. At that time Hideyoshi needed to show his authority to the envoy of foreign counties for negotiation of foreign expedition, and also Hideyori Toyotomi (1593-1615), his son was born then he plan to place Hideyori at Osaka castle, the economic center of Toyotomi government. Losing his efficient younger brother Hidenaga Toyotomi (1540-1591) in 1591, the triangle of Jyurakudai held by Hidetsugu, Osaka castle by Hideyori and Fushimi castle managed by Hideyoshi might be only one solution to continue Toyotomi government.

But this triangle was quire fragile and easily collapsed. Hideyoshi and Hidetsugu fall into suspicions regarding succession to Hideyori, and in 1595 Hideyoshi finally purged Hidetsugu. Along with Hidetsugu Hideyoshi killed many hereditary retainers attached to Hidetsugu and Hidetsugu’s wives who were daughters of large lords, thus Hideyoshi lost many supporters for his government. Beside, endless unrewarded foreign expedition evoked dissatisfaction among lords and people, and finally this Fushimi castle at Shigetsu itself collapsed by severe Keicho Earthquake in July 1596.

Reconstruction of second Fushimi castle

Hideyoshi now had to manage both of Kyoto city and Osaka city only by himself then promptly reconstructed Fushimi castle. As former Fushimi castle was built at weak ground of riverside and collapsed, thus new Fushimi castle was built at a firm ground of Kohatayama hill. After half year construction, new Fushimi castle completed and Hideyoshi entered the castle.

This Fushimi castle was a huge one spread over the hill of 1 kilometer long square. Now core part of castle site is used as a grave for Emperor Meiji and his empress, thus most part of important area becomes off limit and shape of the area might be destructed. Due to this reason it is difficult to grasp the detailed shape of the castle, but according to the old record and investigation, roughly inner part included Honmaru (central area), Nishinomaru, Matsunomaru, Nagoyamaru and Jibusyomaru placed at the higher part of the castle, and outer part such as Ohanabatake, Okuramaru, Danjyomaru, Yamazatomaru or Shimaru surrounded upper areas. It is thought that Honmaru, Nishinomaru and Shimaru are applicable to current the grave of Emperor Meiji, and Nagoyamaru and Yamazatomaru correspond to the grave of Empress.

As Fushimi castle was built on a height spreads from northwestward and surrounded its south half by cliffs and river, thus north side of the castle was an expected combat front of the castle. At this side huge water moat of 100 meter width and 30 meter depth was built to keep apart the enemy, and inside the gate there was another drymoat to prevent the movement of attacking side and aim at from inside of the castle. As Hideyoshi ordered every lords to have their residence at Fushimi and place their family, thus residence of feudal lords spread at the west side of the castle. Currently name of the lords are used as place names of these residence area.

Struggle for next hegemony after Hideyoshi

Although Hideyoshi built a huge and secure castle to protect Toyotomi government, there was no person of Toyotomi clan to protect this castle. To restrain the usurpation of Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616), the largest lord under Toyotomi government after his death, Hideyoshi built a council system consist of five grand ministers selected from large lords and five major magistrates, and ordered them to support Hideyorhi until he grew up. In 1598, Hideyoshi died in ill, asking large lords including Ieyasu again and again to protect Hideyori.

But just after the death of Hideyoshi, this scheme easily collapsed. Toshiie Maeda (1539-1599), who was the second largest lord and friend of Hideyoshi, was ordered to guard Hideyori and entered Osaka castle by the will of Hideyoshi, contrary to Ieyasu who stayed Fushimi castle to manage the government. Toshiie had a power and popularity to mix up generals of Toyotomi clan, but next year Toshiie also died in ill. Seeing this situation Kagekatsu Uesugi (1556-1623), the third largest lord, returned to his distant territory Aizu region (Fukushima prefecture) to firmly hold his territory, thus there was no restraint for Ieyasu to seize the next hegemony.

Seeing this situation, Mitsunari Ishida (1560-1600), the chief magistrate of Toyotomi government, tried to stop the action of Ieyasu. But Mitsunari was hated by front generals of Toyotomi government such as Kiyomasa Kato (1562-1611)or Masanori Fukushima (1561-1624) due to his under Hideyoshi. Ieyasu used this conflict between generals and administrative staffs, and urged these generals to assault Mitsunari. Mitsunari who escaped the attack of these generals left his position and returned to his residence Sawayama castle, considering to raise his army against Ieyasu in the future.

Raise of anti Tokugawa army

Ieyasu who expelled Mitsunari took next step to his hegemony. At first he accused Toshinaga Maeda (1562-1614), son of Toshiie, had a plan to assassinate Ieyasu, and prepared to raise an army against Maeda clan as a general minister of Toyotomi government. But Toshinaga did not resist to Ieyasu and sent his mother Hoshunin (1547-1617, known as Matsu) as substantial hostage to Ieyasu, and escaped from the target. Ieyasu next did the same thing to Kagekatsu Uesugi, but Kagekatsu was an adopted son of Kenshin Uesugi (1530-1578) who was called as god of war and too proud　to subordinate to Ieyasu. Furthermore, Kanetsugu Naoe (1559-1620), the vassal of Kanetsugu, was close to Mitsunari.

In April 1600, Ieyasu sent an accusing envoy to Kagekatsu mentioning he was ready to subjugate Kagekatsu. In response to this, Kanetsugu replied in his letter called “Naoejyo” (Naoe letter) that Ieyasu himself is planning to deprive the hegemony from Hideyoshi, neglecting the will of Hideyoshi. Now Tokugawa clan and Uesugi clan totally broke, and Ieyasu organize large army under the name of Toyotomi government and marched to Aizu region in June.

Seeing this military vacuum, Mitsunari Ishida raised his army against Ieyasu cooperating other large lords such as Mouri clan or Ukita clan. It is said that Mitsunari already planned with Kanetsugu of this action, but it is unknown if there was a clear agreement or just Mitsunari used the situation. Anyway Mitsunari organized anti Tokugawa lords and tried to seize Kinki region against Ieyasu, thus the first target was Fushimi castle.

Battle of Fushimi castle

Ieyasu expected raise of Mitsunari during his vacancy, and placed his confident general Mototada Torii (1539-1600) and Ietada Matsudaira (1555-1600) as commanders of the castle. To enact the raise of Mitsunari, Ieyasu left only 2,000 soldiers to Fushimi castle, and to protect the authority of Tokugawa clan and enhance the moral against Ishida army, these two generals had to share the fate with Fushimi castle. Mototada Torii was an old general of Ieyasu shared joy and sorrowfrom youth period, and Ietada Matsudaiwa was distant relative of Ieyasu who was known for his diary “Ietada Nikki” during 17 years.

In July 18, 1600, Ishida side army started a siege toward Fushimi castle. Ishida side had about 40,000 soldiers, but they were mixed up armies and could hardlyfall the castle. After 10 days battle, finally Masaie Natsuka (1562-1600), lord of Koga region where was known for the place of Ninja, forced the betrayal of Koga Ninjas in the castle by keeping their families as hostages and let them explode the armory. In August 1st, Ishida side army at last captured Fushimi castle and two generals died in the castle, but this hard fight significantly hurt the reputation of Mitsunari as a military leader.

Fushimi castle was built by Hideyoshi to protect his sons and government and had the area with the name of Mitsunari, but ironically itprevented the plan of Mitsunari who actually tried to save Toyotomi clan. Finally, Mitsunari could not control other lord by the end, and fought with Ieyasu at the battle of Sekigahara but was defeated. Mitsunari was executed after the battle, and Ieyasu virtually seized the hegemony.

Restoration by Ieyasu and abolishment

Fushimi castle was significantly damaged by the battle with Ishida army, and Ieyasu who won the battle of Sekigahara promptly reconstructed the castle. It was necessary to enhance the authority of Ieyasu as the ruler, and also a counterpart castle against Osaka castle where Hideyori Toyotomi lived was necessary. Fushimi castle was used as a nomination of Ieyasu as a first Shogun Shogun of Edo Shogunate in 1603.

In 1615, Ieyasu ruined Hideyori Toyotomi at the battle of Osaka castle. As Edo Shogunate already had Nijyo castle in Kyoto city, there was no need to keep such a huge castle in this area. In 1623, Fushimi castle was formally abolished, and many buildings were transferred to Fukuyama castle (Hiroshima prefecture), Yodo castle (Kyoto prefecture) and neighbor Temples and Shrines to show the authority of Edo Shogunate. After abolishment, peach trees were placed at the hill and this place became called as Momoyama (peach hill).

As above, currently the core area of the castle is used as a grave of Emperor and Empress, thus entrance is limited. But north part of the castle is used as a park, and ruin of water moat remain as a deep valley. Once this area is used as a park and an imitation of main tower was built, but now this imitation building is closed.

Afterward of Fushimi castle

In spite of above situation, the trace of the castle such as undulation of terrain or trace of moats is seen around the hill. And former buildings of the castle were transferred to many castles, temples and shrines, several buildings escaped destruction then escaped destruction and remain until now at different place. Fushimi turret at Fukuyama castle, gate of Gokogu Shrine near the castle, Gate of Nishi Honganji temple in Kyoto city, main hall of Konchiin Temple in Kyoto city, main hall of Daituji temple in Nagahama city, main hall of Tsukubushuma Shrine in Tsukubushima island of Lake Biwako are regarded as former buildings of Fushimi castle, and still shows elegant exterior of Azuchi Momoyama style.