This photo shows the southern tip of Kyûshû, and up to the left, under the
clouds, is the island of Tanegashima. It was to this island that a Portuguese
ship drifted ashore in 1543, and it was from this ships captain that the lord of
Tanegashima, Tanegashima Takatoki (1528-1579) got hold of two teppô
(matchlock guns). As the years went by the teppô was copied and throughout
the country lords started to use, and produce, this new military weapon.
 

This stone tells us that this was the site of the mighty Fukasawa Castle.
It was held by the Hôjô family, but in 1571 it was under siege by the Takeda
army. After negotiations the castle surrendered.
 

The san no maru (third compound) of Fukasawa Castle.
 

This way leads to the ni no maru (second compound) of Fukasawa Castle.
So the signpost tells us.
 

The honmaru (main compound) of Fukasawa Castle. As you can see the whole
castle is now used as risefields.
 

Mount Fuji is never far away. Photo taken outside Fukasawa Castle.

On this hill in the background of the picture we find the ruins of Katsurayama
Castle. The lords of Katsurayama was under constant pressure from the
neighboring lords; Imagawa, Hôjô and Takeda. During the wars of 1569 to
1573 the Katsurayama family sided with the Takeda.
 

The Fuji River. Was it at this place, along the river, the battle of Fuji River
occurred in 1180 between the Taira and Minamoto armies?
 

These two photos are taken from Kanbara Castle in Suruga (Shizuoka
prefecture), and in the pictures we can see one of the three towers of the Kita
kuruwa (northern compound). Kanbara was attacked by the Takeda army in
1569, when it was held by the Hôjô army. It became a base for the Takeda
army during the period under Takeda Katsuyori.
 

Taken from Kanbara Castle down towards the coastline. It was in this area
between 1569 and 1582 that the Takeda and Hôjô forces met on several
occasions. The Hôjô, and later the Takeda, used their naval forces all along this
coastline.
 

Taken from the honmaru at Kanbara Castle out towards the Kita kuruwa
(northern compound).
 

Taken inside the Kita kuruwa of Kanbara Castle.


The mountain where Kanbara Castle is located.
 

Photo 078, showing part of the buildings belonging to the Iinoya Shrine in Iinoya,
Shizuoka prefecture. For those of you unfamiliar with this place, this was the
birthplace of the famous warrior Ii Naomasa (1562-1602), the akazonae
(red regiment). In the other photo a priest of the Iinoya temple pose for the
author. The priest is dressed in traditional costume.
 

A koshi (a palanquin), high ranking lords or ladies, belonging to the higher
classes, where carried around in this kind. There existed several kinds. (Ryôtanji
temple in Iinoya, Shizuoka).
 

Iinoya Castle, the base castle of the Ii family in Tôtômi province. It was built
during the Nanbokuchô period, and it served as the administrative and military
base for the Ii family until the middle of the 16^th century.

Taken from Iinoya Castle towards the Mikatagahara Plain. It was on this plain
that the Takeda and Tokugawa met in 1572. Shingen’s army defeated a smaller
force commanded by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Yamamoto Kansuke’s well at Kunôzan Castle, Kunôji temple. Today the
temple complex of Tôshôgû is located here, and the only thing that remains
from the Takeda period is this well. The Kunôzan Castle came about in 1569
when Shingen invaded Suruga, and he soon had to fight against the Hôjô which
came to assist Imagawa in their defence against the mighty army from Kai. The
allready existing Kunôji temple was moved by orders from Shingen in 1569,
and the mountain became a castle. After the Takeda was toppled the Tokugawa
family took over the mountain, and when Tokugawa Ieyasu died in 1616 his
remains were buried at Kunôzan. It was the second Shôgun, Hidetada, that
founded what would be the Kunôzan Tôshôgû temple complex. The well is 33
meters deep.
 

The entrance way to Hachiôji Castle in Hachiôji city, Tôkyô. The castle was
held by the Hôjô clan in 1590 when it was stormed and captured by generals
belonging to Hideyoshi’s army. It was one of many castles to be conquered
during the Odawara campaign in 1590. The second photo shows us the area
towards Hachiôji city. The third photo is the stone that tells us this is the
honmaru ruins of Hachiôji Castle. The next photo is taken close to the
honmaru area and shows the steep path down from the main compound.
Picture five shows the hills and mountains adjacent to Hachiôji.
 

The grave of Takeda Nobuyoshi, next to the Ganseiji temple in Nirasaki.
 

Takeda Shingen tsutsumi (embankment). Today there is not much left of
Shingen’s original work. It has all been strengthened and rebuilt. One can say
that Shingen’s work has been continued. All photos are taken from the area
where Shingen’s tsutsumi was. One of the photos shows a cavalry soldier and
this decoration can be found all along the sides on Shingen’s bridge.
 

Six pictures that shows us Fuji river as it flows towards Suruga (Shizuoka).
Four photos towards the south and two towards the north. The Nanbu clan
ruled in this area during the Kamakura period, but under the 16^th century the
Anayama clan administered this land.
 

The entrance gate to Mount Mibu where you will find the huge Kuonji temple
complex. The staircase up to the mountain top – taihen! The Hondô (main hall)
on top of the mountain. Kuonji was a base for the Nichiren sect, and during the
centuries the temple became a force to be reckon with. So during the 16^th
century kept Shingen a close eye on their activities. 
 

The main compound of Ueda Castle. It was the base castle of the famous
Sanada clan. On two occations the defenders held off the attacking Tokugawa
army. In the pictures we see the east gate and the nishi yagura (west tower).
 

Photo 200314-052 and 187.
Ueda city and Chikuma River, while the other photo shows the valley, with the
Chikuma River, to follow if you want to go to Kawanakajima in the north, and
maybe meet Uesugi Kenshin in battle.
 

Two pictures of castle gates at the Imperial Palace in Tôkyô.
 

The Budôkan in Tôkyô. Almost every week there are martial arts competitions
held at this hall, but of course no competitions during the week I spent in the
city – zannen!.
 

The great moat around the Imperial Palace (Edo Castle) in Tôkyô.
 

The statue of Kusunoki Masashige (?-1336).
The hero of the Nanbokuchô War. This statue stands inside the Castle Park in
Tôkyô. He is still protecting the Emperor.
 

It seems to be a must if you visit Tôkyô for the first time, the mighty Palace area
 with it’s huge park.