Tajihi-Sarukake Castle

Architecture, patrimoine et histoire · Préfecture de Hiroshima

On a height in Akitakata overlooking the junction of the roads from Midori and Haji, Tajihi-Sarukake Castle is where Mōri Motonari spent his childhood and youth. In 1500, aged four, he followed his father Mōri Hiromoto, who left Yoshida-Kōriyama Castle to retire here; he lived here for twenty-three years, until in 1523, aged 27, he inherited the leadership of the clan and returned to Kōriyama. More than a mere retirement residence, the stronghold guarded the western flank of Kōriyama, which can be seen from the main enclosure, facing the territory of the powerful Takahashi clan to the north: it was a border post. The castle's traces are well preserved, especially the huge trench (horikiri) cutting the ridge south of the main enclosure. Since 1940 the site has been a National Historic Site together with Kōriyama Castle under the name "Mōri clan castle sites". A maintained trail leads to the summit, with some steep sections.