“Long stairs” might be your first thought when approaching Inatsuke Castle Ruins. But there is a reward waiting at the top.
Inatsuke Castle Ruins is a Tokyo Metropolitan Government designated cultural site. It whispers tales of samurai and strategic importance. We stand before what was once a crucial defense point. It is now a peaceful reminder of Tokyo’s feudal past.
This site dates back to the Warring States period. The castle is said to have been built by Ota Dokan. Ota Dokan was a prominent figure in the 15th century. He was known for his architectural skills and military strategies. He also built Edo Castle. Inatsuke Castle served as a mountain castle. It connected Edo Castle and Iwatsuki Castle.
Imagine the landscape then. Three sides were defended by hills. It was strategically vital along the road. This road connected Iwabuchi-shuku with the central areas. Iwabuchi-shuku was an important post town.
After Dokan’s death, his grandson Suketaka resided here. Later, the castle came under the control of the Hojo clan. Suketaka’s son Yasusuke became a retainer of the Later Hojo clan. He governed the Five Villages of Iwabuchi.
In 1655, Suketaka’s great-grandson Sukemune built a temple here. He named it Jotoku-zan Shōjō-ji. It was renamed Jitoku-zan Shōjō-ji after Dokan. The temple became the family temple of the Ota clan. Even today, the temple houses a wooden statue of Ota Dokan.
Excavations in 1987 revealed castle ruins. These ruins date back to the late 16th century. A map from 1687 shows the castle’s layout. It helps us understand the castle’s structure.
Today, Inatsuke Castle Ruins is near Shōjō-ji Temple. A stone monument marks the site. Without it, the castle ruins might go unnoticed.
As you ascend the stairs note the surrounding area. Inatsuke Castle Ruins provides scenic views. It is a reminder of simpler times. From Akabane Station, it is a short walk away.
So, remember Ota Dokan. He shaped not only this area but also the history of Tokyo. His legacy endures within these quiet ruins.