英語版のサイトに Ruins of Matsushiro Castle のページをアップロードしました：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
松代城は、武田信玄と上杉謙信が川中島で戦いを行った際武田方が前身基地として築いた海津城が、その発祥です。
1622年(元和8年)に真田信之が上田より移封され、以降明治に廃城となるまで松代藩真田家の居城でした。
Ruins of Matsushiro Castle のページへどうぞ：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/MatsushiroCastle_E.html
日本語版では、下記のページで紹介しています：
http://shanehashi.html.xdomain.jp/Oshiromeguri/KoshinetsuHokuriku/MatsushiroJyo.html
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My English site:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
Matsushiro Castle was originally built in 1560 by TAKEDA Shingen (1521 - 1573), who was the lord of "Kai" province, present Yamanashi Prefecture. TAKEDA Shingen was recognized as one of the most strongest samurai lords at the end of the "Muromachi" Age (1336 - 1573).
In 1622, SANADA Nobuyuki (1566 - 1658) became the Feudal Lord of Matsushiro Domain and the castle lord of Matsushiro Castle.
Matsushiro Castle was the palace of the feudal lord and the government offices of Matsushiro Domain.
The castle was abandoned in 1872, five years after the "Edo" Age (1603 - 1868) was ended.
The ruins of Matsushiro Castle are located in the middle of Nagano Prefecture, near the Chikuma River.
The main bailey was located to the north of the castle and the second bailey surrounded the main bailey.
The third bailey was located to the southernmost area of the castle.
From 2004, the sites of the main bailey and the second bailey have been being renovated.
If you approach Matsushiro Castle from the south, you will see "Taiko-Mon" Gate beyond "Taiko-Mon Mae" Bridge.
"Taiko-Mon Mae" Bridge spans the Inner Moat, which also surrounds the main bailey.
The contrast of the stone walls on the main bailey and the moat is very impressive.
"Taiko-Mon" Gate was the main entrance of Matsushiro Castle.
You will see "TaikoMon Mae" Bridge from the smaller gate of "Taiko-Mon" Gate.
"Taiko-Mon" Gate was rebuilt in 2004.
The larger gate on the north side of the square area is the main gate building, shown on the below picture.
"Kita-Fumei-Mon" Gate was the back gate of Matsushiro Castle.
"Kita-Fumei-Mon" Gate was rebuilt in 2004, as it was in the "Edo" Age.
Just out side of the gate, the stone monument of the site of "Kita-Fumei-Mon" Gate is located.
The view of the monument and the gate is very impressive.
The north part of the second bailey was well maintained.
You will see the foundation, with covered by stone walls, of the turret at the north-west corner of the main bailey.
The east side of the second bailey is also well maintained and the scenery of the east side of the second bailey was very beautiful.
There used to be the castle palace for the family of the castle lord.
I walked into the main bailey from the east part of the second bailey to the main bailey through "Higashi-Fumei-Mon" Gate.
Matsushiro Castle is now being revived as it was in the "Edo" Age.
The ruins of the castle are well maintained and beautiful.
They are one of recommended ruins of castles in Japan.
Please visit the homepage article for more detail.
Ruins of Matsushiro Castle
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