Iwakiri Castle

Iwakiri Castle (岩切城) was a Muromachi period Japanese castle located in what is now the ward of Miyagino-ku, in the city of Sendai,Miyagi Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. The site is a National Historic Site.

History
The actual date of Iwakiri Castle’s foundation is unknown; however, it is said to have been founded by the Isawa clan in the later half of the 12th century. The Isawa claimed descent from the Fujiwara clan and served as retainers of Minamoto no Yoritomo in the region after the destruction of the Northern Fujiwara at Hiraizumi. The Isawa clan later changed their surname to the Rusu clan during the Kamakura period. During the Nanboku-cho period, the Ruse sided with Kitabatake Akiie, but later switched sides to support the Ashikaga clan, and became retainers of Hatakeyama Tadakuni. However, the castle was attacked by Kira Sadaie during the Kannō disturbance and the Rusu clan was defeated. After the defeat of Ashikaga Tadayoshi, the clan’s fortunes were revived, but as retainers of the Osaki clan. In the 15th century, the Osaki clan was gradually eclipsed by the Date clan, and by the year 1500, the Rusu clan became retainers of the Date. In 1569, Rusu Masakage moved his seat from Iwakiri to nearby Rifu Castle, after having suppressed a local rebellion by the Muraoka clan. Rusu Masakage went on to become on of Date Masamune’s senior generals, and was eventually given a fief at Mizusawa Castle, where the clan remained until the end of the Edo period. However, after the move from Iwakiri to Rifu, Iwakiri Castle fell slowly into ruin. Today, the site is Takamoriyama Park, and only a few fragments of the ramparts remain.

Description
Iwakiri Castle was a mountain castle, with a total area approximately 600 meters long and 400 meters wide, but divided into several oblong-shaped enclosures on the slopes of the 106 meter tall Mount Takamori. The main bailey is roughly 20 meters by 80 meters in size, with secondary enclosures both above and below with dry moats. The lowest enclosure also has earthen ramparts. The eastern bailey has a larger enclosure, measuring approximately 80 meters in diameter, which housed the main residential area of the castle. It was also surrounded by ramparts and dry moats.

The castle was located one ri west of Taga Castle, the provincial capital of [Mutsu Province]]. Located near the Oshu kaido and the junction of the Nanakita River with the Sunaoishi River, the castle was well sited to control communications between Taga Castle and its hinterland.