英語版のサイトに "Ruins of Kokokuji Castle" のページをアップロードしました：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/KokokujiCastle_E.html
興国寺城は、あの北条早雲が旗揚げした城として知られています。
1476年(文明8年)に今川義忠が戦死すると、北条早雲は、今川氏の跡目争いを調停し、この興国寺城が与えられたと言われています。
"Ruins of Kokokuji Castle" のページへどうぞ：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/KokokujiCastle_E.html
日本版の散策記は下記です：
http://shanehashi.html.xdomain.jp/Oshiromeguri/Tokai/KokokujiJyo.html
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My English site:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
The ruins of Kokokuji Castle are located in Numazu City, the east part of Shizuoka Prefecture.
It is said that HOJYO Soun (1456? - 1519) became the first castle lord of Kokokuji Castle in 1487.
After Onin War occurred in 1467, the Muramachi Bakufu, the feudal government in the Muromachi Age (1336 - 1573) headed by the Ashikaga Clan, became weak and lost their power to govern Japan.
In the middle of the fifteenth century, Japan was in a state of turbulence.
Especially in rural areas far from Kyoto, those who had military power governed the territories where they invaded.
HOJYO Soun was one of the typical examples who went straight to the feudal lord.
Kokokuji Castle was located at the edge of the bases of Mt. Ashitaka.
A small shrine is located in a small pond. The pond seems the outer moat of Kokokuji Castle.
The below picture shows the view of the main bailey from the second bailey.
There used to be a castle palace in the main bailey.
Now, the castle monuments are located at the middle of the main bailey.
The main bailey is surrounded by huge earthen walls.
The foundation of the main castle tower is located on the earthen wall, behind the main bailey.
The foundation on the earthen wall is partially covered by stones.
You will look down on the main bailey and also you will see Suruga Bay beyond the main bailey.
At the north end of Kokokuji Castle, the Tokaido Shinkansen runs.
The ruins of Kokokuji Castle remain the same after it was abandoned in 1607.
But, now time flies fast. The photo was taken ten years ago, but the train set shown in the above picture became already out of service.
Now, new model of the train sets run on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
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