Okazaki Castle ( 岡崎城 , Okazaki-jō ) is a Japanese castle located in Okazaki , Aichi Prefecture , Japan . At the end of the Edo period , Okazaki Castle was home to the Honda clan , daimyō of Okazaki Domain , but the castle is better known for its association with Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Tokugawa clan . The castle was also known as "Tatsu-jō" ( 龍城 ) .
21-464: Saigo Tsugiyori built an earthen-walled fortification in the Myodaiji area of Okazaki, near the present castle in 1455. Matsudaira Kiyoyasu , after gaining control of the area in 1524, demolished the old fortification and built Okazaki Castle on its present location. His famous grandson Matsudaira Motoyasu (later named Tokugawa Ieyasu ) was born here on December 16, 1542. The Matsudaira were defeated by
42-633: Is a Japanese castle located in Okazaki , Aichi Prefecture , Japan . At the end of the Edo period , Okazaki Castle was home to the Honda clan , daimyō of Okazaki Domain , but the castle is better known for its association with Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Tokugawa clan . The castle was also known as "Tatsu-jō" ( 龍城 ) . Saigo Tsugiyori built an earthen-walled fortification in the Myodaiji area of Okazaki, near
63-562: The Imagawa clan in 1549, and Ieyasu was taken to Sunpu Castle as a hostage. Following the defeat of the Imagawa at the Battle of Okehazama , Ieyasu regained possession of the castle in 1560 and left his eldest son Matsudaira Nobuyasu in charge when he moved to Hamamatsu Castle in 1570. After Oda Nobunaga ordered Nobuyasu’s death in 1579, the Honda clan served as castellans. Following
84-664: The Mizuno clan from 1645-1762, and the Matsudaira (Matsui) clan from 1762-1769. In 1769, a branch of the Honda clan returned to Okazaki, and governed until the Meiji Restoration . In 1869, the final daimyō of Okazaki Domain, Honda Tadanao, surrendered Okazaki Castle to the new Meiji government . With the abolition of the han system in 1871, Okazaki Domain became part of Nukata Prefecture , with Okazaki Castle used as
105-430: The abolition of the han system in 1871, Okazaki Domain became part of Nukata Prefecture , with Okazaki Castle used as the prefectural headquarters. However, Nukata Prefecture was merged into Aichi Prefecture in 1872, and the capital of the prefecture was moved to Nagoya . In accordance with government directives in 1873, the castle was demolished, and most of its land sold off to private individuals. The current donjon
126-410: The author A. L. Sadler: "Kiyoyasu, the son of Nobutada, was a fine soldier, and his friendship was solicited both by Takeda Nobutora , father of the great Shingen, and also by Oda Nobukatsu , son of the more famous Nobunaga . Oda later made secret overtures to the effect that if Kiyoyasu attacked his province he would be on his side, his intention being to oust his elder brother Nobuhide, the head of
147-521: The castle revealed stonework from the castle’s outer baileys, lending evidence to the claim that Okazaki Castle was once the fourth largest in Japan. The remaining castle grounds are now a park, with a museum dedicated to the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Mikawa samurai , teahouses, a Noh theater, a small clock tower with traditional karakuri puppets, as well as the reconstructed castle buildings and
168-455: The castle was given to Tanaka Yoshimasa, who substantially improved on its fortifications, expanded the castle town and developed Okazaki-juku on the Tōkaidō . Following the creation of the Tokugawa shogunate , Okazaki Domain was created, and Ieyasu’s close retainer Honda Yasushige was assigned possession of the castle. A three-story donjon was completed in 1617. The Honda were replaced by
189-400: The castle. A three-story donjon was completed in 1617. The Honda were replaced by the Mizuno clan from 1645-1762, and the Matsudaira (Matsui) clan from 1762-1769. In 1769, a branch of the Honda clan returned to Okazaki, and governed until the Meiji Restoration . In 1869, the final daimyō of Okazaki Domain, Honda Tadanao, surrendered Okazaki Castle to the new Meiji government . With
210-516: The clan. So Kiyoyasu set out against this province. But his wicked uncle Nobusada, seeing an opportunity, sent to Nobuhide to say that he was about to take the Castle of Anjo, the headquarters of Kiyoyasu, from which he had set out. When Kiyoyasu heard of this he was naturally very troubled at the possibility of his base being taken behind his back, and he was rendered more so by another rumour started by someone that his most faithful retainer Abe Sadayoshi
231-461: The defeat of the Imagawa at the Battle of Okehazama , Ieyasu regained possession of the castle in 1560 and left his eldest son Matsudaira Nobuyasu in charge when he moved to Hamamatsu Castle in 1570. After Oda Nobunaga ordered Nobuyasu’s death in 1579, the Honda clan served as castellans. Following the relocation of the Tokugawa to Edo after the Battle of Odawara by Toyotomi Hideyoshi ,
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#1732765174481252-405: The original castle, Japanese swords , armor and dioramas illustrating local history. The main gate of the castle was reconstructed in 1993, and the east corner yagura in 2010. In 2007, construction work near the castle revealed stonework from the castle’s outer baileys, lending evidence to the claim that Okazaki Castle was once the fourth largest in Japan. The remaining castle grounds are now
273-537: The prefectural headquarters. However, Nukata Prefecture was merged into Aichi Prefecture in 1872, and the capital of the prefecture was moved to Nagoya . In accordance with government directives in 1873, the castle was demolished, and most of its land sold off to private individuals. The current donjon was reconstructed in 1959 to boost local tourism. In 2006, it was proclaimed one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan . The ferroconcrete structure has three roofs and five interior floors, and contains exhibits of artifacts from
294-407: The present castle in 1455. Matsudaira Kiyoyasu , after gaining control of the area in 1524, demolished the old fortification and built Okazaki Castle on its present location. His famous grandson Matsudaira Motoyasu (later named Tokugawa Ieyasu ) was born here on December 16, 1542. The Matsudaira were defeated by the Imagawa clan in 1549, and Ieyasu was taken to Sunpu Castle as a hostage. Following
315-415: The relocation of the Tokugawa to Edo after the Battle of Odawara by Toyotomi Hideyoshi , the castle was given to Tanaka Yoshimasa, who substantially improved on its fortifications, expanded the castle town and developed Okazaki-juku on the Tōkaidō . Following the creation of the Tokugawa shogunate , Okazaki Domain was created, and Ieyasu’s close retainer Honda Yasushige was assigned possession of
336-529: The remaining stonework and moats of the castle. The park is also renowned as a famous site for viewing cherry blossoms , wisteria and azalea . Matsudaira Kiyoyasu Matsudaira Kiyoyasu ( 松平 清康 , September 28, 1511 – November 29, 1535) was the 7th lord over the Matsudaira clan during the Sengoku period (16th century) of Japan. Kiyoyasu was the paternal grandfather of the third "great unifier of Japan", Tokugawa Ieyasu . Kiyoyasu gained control of
357-728: The whole of northern Mikawa Province after the Saigo clan surrendered following four generations of conflict. Okazaki Castle was also built as a monument to the Matsudaira's power. Following this conquest, one of Kiyoyasu's retainers, Abe Masatoyo , began to resent Kiyoyasu. In 1535, Kiyoyasu allied with Saitō Dōsan and attacked Moriyama Castle, which was defended by Oda Nobumitsu, the younger brother of Oda Nobuhide . However, during this battle, Abe somehow entered Kiyoyasu's secret chambers and slew him with his Muramasa blade. Another version of Matsudaira Kiyoyasu's death has been told by
378-459: Was also in league with his uncle. Abe Sadayoshi was very indignant when he heard this slander, and called his son Yashichi, telling him that it was false, and would be proved so if proper examination was made. But if this was not done, and he was put to death on suspicion, he impressed on him the need of his continuing to serve their lord faithfully as if nothing had happened. Just after this Sadayoshi's horse began to be restless and kick out, and there
399-447: Was killed, and it was Sadayoshi who took charge of his son, for the charge of treason seems to have been quickly shown to be false, and he was trusted as before." After Kiyoyasu's death, the Battle of Idano was fought, and peace returned to the Matsudaira domain. Matsudaira Hirotada , father of Ieyasu, succeeded to the position of power within the Matsudaira clan. Okazaki Castle Okazaki Castle ( 岡崎城 , Okazaki-jō )
420-443: Was reconstructed in 1959 to boost local tourism. In 2006, it was proclaimed one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan . The ferroconcrete structure has three roofs and five interior floors, and contains exhibits of artifacts from the original castle, Japanese swords , armor and dioramas illustrating local history. The main gate of the castle was reconstructed in 1993, and the east corner yagura in 2010. In 2007, construction work near
441-497: Was some confusion, and Kiyoyasu came out and gave orders to catch it and tie it up. Hearing the noise, Yashichi at once concluded that his father was being arrested and was in danger, and without more Ado rushed out on the spur of the moment without any reflection and cut Kiyoyasu down. He was at once killed himself, but that did not save Kiyoyasu, who was only twenty-five. But he was not without an heir, his son Hirotada being ten years old. The army of Kiyoyasu had to retire immediately he
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