[Ikaruga Town] Limited edition castle seals! Walk around Tatsuta Castle, ruled by Hideyoshi's vassal, Katagiri Katsumoto
In honor of the 2026 taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!", the Ikaruga Cultural Properties Center is hosting a special exhibition on Katagiri Katsumoto, a contemporary of Toyotomi Hidenaga, and his castle, Tatsuta Castle. ✨️
Katagiri Katsumoto was a military commander born in Omi Province who served under the Azai clan and Hashiba Hideyoshi. He is also known as one of the "Seven Spears of Shizugatake" who fought in the Battle of Shizugatake (1583).
In 1601 (Keicho 6), the year after the Battle of Sekigahara, despite being a Toyotomi clan elder, Katsumoto was granted over 24,000 koku of land in Heguri County, Yamato Province, and established a camp in Tatsuta and established the Tatsuta Domain. 🏯
After Katsumoto's death, the domain continued until the fourth lord, Tametsugu, but all died young, and the domain was abolished in 1655 (Meireki 1). Incidentally, the Koizumi Domain, founded by Katsumoto's younger brother, Sadataka, continued to exist until the Meiji era. ✍️
The special exhibition features a portrait (replica) of Katagiri Katsumoto, letters, and artifacts excavated from the ruins of Tatsuta Castle (Tatsuta Jin'ya), as well as artifacts from castles in the prefecture from the same period.
The "Tatsuta Castle Ruins Spot Rally" will also be held during the exhibition period. Visit all four locations related to Tatsuta Castle and present a photo of the site at the Cultural Properties Center to receive an original castle seal!
I also participated in the spot rally. Tatsuta Castle is thought to have originated as the medieval residence of the Tatsuta clan, but its actual condition remains unclear. 🧐
The exact structure of the jin'ya (camp yard) is unknown, but the "Old Map of Tatsuta Village," drawn in 1696 (Genroku 9), 40 years after the abolition of the feudal domain, reveals moats, earthworks, and a glimpse of the town layout. 💡
Tatsuta Jin'ya is located at the tip of a slight elevation extending south from the Yata Hills. It is approximately 350m square in size. The west and south sides are cliff-like, creating a height difference that Tamori would love. 😎
Residential development has made it no longer has the feel of a castle ruin, but there are moats (Higashimachi Pond and Heita Pond) that are used as reservoirs, and place names such as "Oite" and "Higashimachi" still retain their original names.
Hakusan Shrine, located southwest, is said to be the guardian deity of the jin'ya's back gate, and when I visited, I was surprised to find that one of the shrines within the grounds was Shiota Shrine! I really felt a connection! ⛩
The Nara Highway runs north of the Jin'ya, and even today, you can enjoy the charming streetscape of rows of townhouses. At the western end, you'll also find "Nekozaka," a defensive street with a curved entrance. 🐈
When talking about the early modern period in Yamato, Yamatokoriyama, Takatori, and Uda Matsuyama tend to get the most attention, but there were actually quite a few small feudal domains, many of which were home to prominent families with ties to the Oda, Toyotomi, and Tokugawa clans. ☺️
Tatsuta, along with Koizumi, is also very close to Yamatokoriyama Castle Town, the setting of the historical drama. Be sure to take a short break from your stroll through Koriyama Castle Town and stop by! 🚶♀️
【 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 】
Autumn Special Exhibition "Tatsuta Castle - The Castle Built by Katagiri Katsumoto"
🗓 Saturday, October 25, 2025 - Sunday, December 7, 2025
📍 1-11-14 Horyuji-nishi, Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara Prefecture
🚶♀️ Approximately 25 minutes from JR Horyuji Station
🕘 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
🚫 Closed on Wednesdays
🅿️ Available
💴 Adults: ¥300, Students: ¥100, Junior High School Students and younger: Free
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