【Hida Takayama, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture】On-site Briefing Held for Excavation Survey of Hirose Castle Ruins, a Sengoku Period Mountain Castle

Hirose Castle Ruins is a mountain castle from the Sengoku period, undergoing excavation surveys since Reiwa 6 (2024) with the aim of being designated a national historic site. The magnificent "ridge-shaped dry moats" that block the slopes in multiple layers remain in excellent condition, conveying the fierce state of warfare in Hida at that time. An on-site briefing to announce the results of the surveys to date was held on April 25. Approximately 100 people participated on the day, experiencing the castle ruins, imbued with the tension of the Sengoku period, up close with explanations from the excavation survey staff.

## Overview of Hirose Castle Ruins
Hirose Castle Ruins is a castle built on a mountain spanning Kokufu-cho Nabari and Urasu in Takayama City.
It was the castle of the Hirose clan, based in Hirose, Kokufu-cho, and was also called "Tanaka Castle" after Tanaka Yozaemon, who was the castellan. Initially, the Hirose clan made Yamasaki Castle, built in Hirose, their main residence, but it is said that they later moved to Takado Castle in Urasu, and then to Hirose Castle.
The Hirose clan later became vassals of the Miki clan, but according to records such as "Senkoji-ki" and "Hida Gunkan," they were destroyed for colluding with the Takeda clan of Kai, and Hirose Castle became the Miki clan's castle. Miki Yoritsuna, who had ceded Matsukura Castle to his legitimate son Hidetsuna, made it his residence, but it is said to have fallen in Tensho 13 (1585) due to the invasion by Kanamori Nagachika, ordered by Hashiba Hideyoshi.

## Results of the Hirose Castle Ruins Excavation Survey
In the main enclosure, two foundation stones were confirmed. Fragments of celadon bowls and incense burners were excavated around the foundation stones. The celadon was made in China around the 16th century, indicating that a person who could use expensive imported goods resided in this castle.
Main enclosure foundation stones
Celadon excavated from the main enclosure: Incense burner (left), bowl (right)
It was previously known that there was a stone wall on the eastern slope of the main enclosure. This survey investigated the method and extent of the stone stacking. As a result, it was found that large round stones like river stones were used, the stones were arranged to be inserted into the slope, and collapsed stones were lined up at the bottom of the slope.
Main enclosure eastern slope stone wall
In the second enclosure, the process of creating the kuruwa (enclosure) was understood from observing the soil layers. Sue ware and Haji ware from the Kofun period were excavated from the created soil, suggesting that there was a kofun (ancient burial mound) before the castle was built.
Soil layers of the second enclosure trench
Excavated artifacts from the second enclosure: Haji ware (left), Sue ware (right)
The horikiri (dry moat) on the north side of the second enclosure still appears to deeply cut through the ridge, but it was originally dug much deeper, and stones believed to have fallen from the ridge had accumulated at the bottom.
Second enclosure north side horikiri

【Contact for this matter】
Takayama City Board of Education, Cultural Properties Division
Address: 2-18 Hanaoka-machi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture 506-8555
Phone: 0577-35-3156
FAX: 0577-35-3172
Email: bunkazai@city.takayama.lg.jp