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Sonobe Castle was constructed by Koide Yoshichika, who became the first lord of Sonobe in 1619. In medieval times, several forts occupied sites on the mountains surrounding the town. Yoshichika chose Mt. Komugi, one of these fortified hills, as the site for his castle.
In just two years, the castle was completed. In accordance with regulations set by the Tokugawa Shogunate, it was of the manor-style type. Sonobe Castle was surrounded by mountains to the west, east, and north, while behind it flowed the Sonobe River.
Tenjin Shrine and the temples Daijo-ji and Korin-ji were moved from Mt. Komugi to their present locations. An inner moat was constructed to complement the protection already provided by the Sonobe and Handa Rivers. When finished, the castle measured 600 meters north to south and 400 meters east to west. In addition an outer moat 2,000 meters in length surrounded the fortress. A main gate, several watchtowers, a drum tower, and other structures were also constructed.
The building of the castle was accompanied by work on the surrounding town: the course of the Sonobe River was redirected and a large residential area was created. By the end of the Genroku era (1688-1703,) the castle town's development was complete.
Sonobe governed the Kuchi-Tanba District, which was composed of a total of 197 villages. Holding fiefs yielding 30,000 bales of rice, the town enjoyed great prosperity for 250 years, until the abolition of the clans in 1871.
Today, the site is occupied by Kyoto Prefectural Sonobe Senior High School. Only the original gate and one turret attest to the magnificence of the former castle.
info from: http://www1.smg.town.sonobe.kyoto.jp/e-town/english/english10.shtml
Sonobe Castle was constructed by Koide Yoshichika, who became the first lord of Sonobe in 1619. In medieval times, several forts occupied sites on the mountains surrounding the town. Yoshichika chose Mt. Komugi, one of these fortified hills, as the site for his castle.
In just two years, the castle was completed. In accordance with regulations set by the Tokugawa Shogunate, it was of the manor-style type. Sonobe Castle was surrounded by mountains to the west, east, and north, while behind it flowed the Sonobe River.
Tenjin Shrine and the temples Daijo-ji and Korin-ji were moved from Mt. Komugi to their present locations. An inner moat was constructed to complement the protection already provided by the Sonobe and Handa Rivers. When finished, the castle measured 600 meters north to south and 400 meters east to west. In addition an outer moat 2,000 meters in length surrounded the fortress. A main gate, several watchtowers, a drum tower, and other structures were also constructed.
The building of the castle was accompanied by work on the surrounding town: the course of the Sonobe River was redirected and a large residential area was created. By the end of the Genroku era (1688-1703,) the castle town's development was complete.
Sonobe governed the Kuchi-Tanba District, which was composed of a total of 197 villages. Holding fiefs yielding 30,000 bales of rice, the town enjoyed great prosperity for 250 years, until the abolition of the clans in 1871.
Today, the site is occupied by Kyoto Prefectural Sonobe Senior High School. Only the original gate and one turret attest to the magnificence of the former castle.
info from: http://www1.smg.town.sonobe.kyoto.jp/e-town/english/english10.shtml
