英語版のサイトに The Ruins of Ueda Castle のページをアップロードしました：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
上田城は、真田昌幸が1585年(天正13年)に築城したお城です。
真田昌幸が徳川軍を二度にわたって撃退した事で知られるお城です。
The Ruins of Ueda Castle のページへどうぞ：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chubu/UedaCastle_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/UedaJyo.html
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My English site:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
The ruins of Ueda Castle is one of the most popular castle in Japan. Ueda Castle was built in 1585 by SANADA Masayuski(1547? - 1611).
SANADA Masayuki was a small feudal lord in this area.
After Ueda Castle was built, SANADA Masayuki beat TOKUGAWA Ieyasu (1543 - 1616) twice.
Tokugawa Ieyasu was the first "Shogun" in the "Edo" Age(1603 - 1868).
Because of this history, SANADA Masayuki and his younger son, SANADA Nobushige(1567 - 1615) are very popular in Japan.
The ruins of Ueda Castle are located approximately one kilometer to the west from Ueda Station.
To the east of the ruins of Ueda castle, the dry moat of the second bailey is located.
The bailey lies north and south. There used to be a railroad track in the moat.
The train line opened in 1927 and it was abandoned in 1972.
Beyond the arched bridge, the dry moat continues to the north.
It was in Autumn, leaves have just started turning red.
To the north of the arched bridge, "Peace Bell" Tower is located.
The bell was originally used to announce the time at Ueda Castle from the "Edo" Age.
It was levied by Japan Imperial Army during World War II.
After the war, people in Ueda City revived the bell and named "Peace Bell" in order not to repeat a stupid and horrible war.
That was in 1973.
If you walk in the second baily from the site of the east gate to the west, you will see "Higashi-Koguchi" Gate.
"Higashi-Koguchi" Gate is the main gate of the main bailey. Beside the gate, two turrets are located.
The righthand side is the North Turret and the lefthand side is the South Turret.
These castle buildings were built at the beginning of the Edo Age.
The South Turret, the North Turret and "Higashi-Koguchi" Gate are open for the public.
You are able to visit these three castle buildings from the South Turret.
The South Turret was built in 1620s. After the Edo Age was ended, the South and the North Turrets were once sold to a red-light district.
They were planned to sell to Hotel Meguro-Gajyoen in Tokyo, in 1940s.
But, citizens in Ueda purchased them back and they came back to Ueda Castle.
Original castle building is very imposing. As there are few windows, it was dark inside.
You will look down the main approach to the Main Bailey from "Higashi-Koguchi" Gate.
The first Ueda Battle between SANADA and TOKUGAWA broken out in 1585.
TOKUGAWA soldiers came to the main bailey, shown in the above picture, through the main gate of the second bailey.
SANADA soldiers surrounded the TOKUGAWA soldiers and many of TOKUGAWA soldiers were killed in this place.
At the south-west corner of the main bailey, the West Turret is located. It was built in the late 1620s.
You will see the West Turret from "Amagafuchi", which used to be an abyss to the south side of the ruins of Ueda Castle.
Both the West Turret and the South Turret can be seen from "Amagafuchi".
The stone walls on the clif were built in 1733.
The ruins of Ueda Castle has many history and they are deeply related to SANADA Masayuki and his son, SANADA Nobushige, who are very popular "Samurai" in Japan.
SANADA Nobushige had the reputation that the best "samurai" in Japan from other feudal lords and military commanders of the same age.
Please visit the homepage article for more detail.
The Ruins of Ueda Castle
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