⑫『篠脇城跡』と『東氏』
Shinowaki Castle Ruins and the Tō Clan's Story
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『篠脇城（しのわきじょう）』は、『東氏館跡庭園』南側の篠脇山（標高約486m）山頂にある中世（鎌倉、室町時代）の山城です。『東氏』の時代の城は、近世（安土桃山、江戸時代）の城とは違い、石垣も天守も、城主が暮らす御殿もありません。当時の城の役割は、敵が攻めてきたときだけ使用する防御施設だったため、山頂を平坦に造成し、斜面などに堀を設けた程度の山城が一般的。『篠脇城』も、まさにその典型です。そして、いざというときにすぐ逃げ込めるように、山麓に住居（館）を構え、その背後の山に城を設営するのが当時の基本的な城構えでした。『篠脇城』の遺構が発見されてからは、『東氏』の館が麓のどこにあるのか憶測が飛び交い、ずっと特定できなかったことが大きなミステリーにもなっていたそうです。
◎「東氏記念館」で篠脇城のジオラマやパネルを展示しています。
◎「東氏記念館」で篠脇城のジオラマやパネルを展示しています。
Shinowaki Castle is a medieval mountain castle (dating from the Kamakura through Muromachi period (1185–1573)), located at the summit of Mt. Shinowaki (elevation approximately 486 m) on the south side of the Tō Clan Manor Ruins and Garden.
Castles during the Tō Clan’s time were different from those of the early modern period (Azuchi–Momoyama period (1573–1603) and Edo period (1603–1868)). They lacked stone walls, castle towers, and residences for the lord. Instead, castles functioned solely as defensive strongholds, used only in the event of an enemy attack. As such, mountain castles generally consisted of a leveled summit with a moat on the slope—and Shinowaki Castle is a perfect example of this.
To ensure a quick retreat in times of crisis, castles in that era were designed with a residential manor at the base of the mountain and a fortified stronghold on the peak behind it. After the ruins of Shinowaki Castle were discovered, there was much speculation about the exact location of the Tō Clan manor at the mountain’s base. For a long time, the manor’s location remained a major mystery.
◦ A diorama and informational panels about Shinowaki Castle are on display at the Tōshi Memorial Museum.
Castles during the Tō Clan’s time were different from those of the early modern period (Azuchi–Momoyama period (1573–1603) and Edo period (1603–1868)). They lacked stone walls, castle towers, and residences for the lord. Instead, castles functioned solely as defensive strongholds, used only in the event of an enemy attack. As such, mountain castles generally consisted of a leveled summit with a moat on the slope—and Shinowaki Castle is a perfect example of this.
To ensure a quick retreat in times of crisis, castles in that era were designed with a residential manor at the base of the mountain and a fortified stronghold on the peak behind it. After the ruins of Shinowaki Castle were discovered, there was much speculation about the exact location of the Tō Clan manor at the mountain’s base. For a long time, the manor’s location remained a major mystery.
◦ A diorama and informational panels about Shinowaki Castle are on display at the Tōshi Memorial Museum.