富松城跡

Gazing upon these fragmented earthen walls, we stand before the remnants of Tomatsu-jō, also known as Tomatsu Castle. Tomatsu-jō, a relic of the Warring States period dating back some 500 years, offers a glimpse into Japan’s tumultuous past. Today, only portions of its earthen ramparts remain, stretching 11 meters wide, rising 4 meters high, and spanning approximately 47 meters in length. Tomatsu-jō wasn’t just a simple fortification. Archaeological excavations reveal a much grander structure. It was a formidable castle, boasting double moats and an expansive layout, estimated to be over 150 meters east to west and over 200 meters north to south. Imagine the scale of this once-mighty fortress. Some of the artifacts unearthed at Tomatsu-jō are now displayed at the Nishinomiya City Museum of Cultural Properties, located within Nishinomiya City. Tomatsu-jō witnessed key moments in Japanese history. It played a role in the conflict between Hosokawa Takakuni and Hosokawa Sumimoto in 1519. Its strategic location near the port of Nishinomiya made it a vital stronghold during the Sengoku period. Tomatsu-jō served as a base for the attack on Itami Castle (Arioka Castle) by Miyoshi Nagayoshi in 1550. Later, in 1578, during Araki Murashige’s attack on Itami Castle, orders were given to reinforce the defenses around Tomatsu-jō, suggesting it had not yet developed extensive moats by that time. Though its full form remains a mystery, Tomatsu-jō stands as a silent testament to centuries of conflict and change. The very earth beneath our feet holds echoes of samurai footsteps, whispering stories of a bygone era.