Ginzan Castle Ruins (prefectural historic site)

Ginzan Castle is a mountain castle that is said to have been built by the Takeda clan, who were the guardians of Aki Province towards the end of the Kamakura period. The Takeda clan were originally samurai from Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture), but they became involved with Aki Province when Nobumitsu, who distinguished himself in the Jokyu War (1221), was appointed Shugoshiki (military governor) of Aki Province. At first, the Takeda clan sent deputies to govern the province, but in 1274, during the Mongol invasions, Nobumitsu's grandson, Nobutoki, came down to Aki Province and began living there, and has been involved in governing the Aki region for about 300 years since then. It is said that Ginzan Castle was built by Nobutoki's grandson, Nobumune. The area of old Gion-cho, which can be seen from Mt. Takeda, was an extremely important location in the Middle Ages in terms of politics, economy, and transportation, as it was home to markets such as Sato Yokaichi and warehouses for storing goods brought from various manors. Ginzan Castle was built in the perfect location to control this strategic location. This castle, which stretches across the entire mountain of Mt. Takeda at an altitude of 411m, is known as a well-defended castle, and it is said that it did not fall even during the fierce attacks of the Ouchi clan, who attacked from the west in an attempt to unify and control the Chugoku region during the Sengoku period. However, in 1541, when the Takeda clan's power was declining, it was finally captured by the clever strategy of Mori Motonari and others, who were ordered by the Ouchi clan, and it came under the control of the Ouchi clan. Then, in 1554, Mōri Motonari took control of it as his own castle. Currently, there is a kuruwa (enclosure) called "Goshuiwadai" at the summit, and one level lower is the "Yakataato" (remains of a mansion), which is the largest in area within the castle. The "Gomonato" (remains of a gate) on the middle slope still retains the stonework of a right-angled passageway made of natural stone, and is noted as the original form of the square-shaped (masugata) structure of early modern castles. There are also nearly 50 kuruwa (enclosures) located throughout the mountain, from the foot of Mt. Takeda to the summit, including "Umagaeshi" (horse return), "lookout tower" and "remains of the Kannon hall", and it can be said that it is one of the largest medieval mountain castles in Aki Province, alongside Koriyama Castle (Akitakata City). Location: Gion-cho, Yamamoto-cho, Aida-cho and Omachi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City Date of designation: March 30, 1956