Japanese Castle guide in Japan castle Historical site Statue Introduction.

[Castle name]
Sadowara Castle
It was lived in by Shimazu Toyohisa. It was the office of Satohara Domain, which fought in Aizu and Hakodate at the end of the Edo period.

[Description]
Sadowara Castle used to stand in Uedashima, Sadowara Town, Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. It was the office of Sadowara Domain.
It was built by Tajima Kyusaku. It was originally called Tajima Castle.

In the early Warring States period, the Tajima family was attacked by the Ito family, which had increased its power in Hyuga Province, and lost Tajima Castle.
The castle got ruled by Ito Sukeyoshi, who belonged to the Ito family. He established the Sadowara family.

In 1480, the Sadowara family adopted Ito Sukekuni from the original Ito family and increased its power.
When Shimazu Yohsihisa of Satsuma invaded from the south, the Sadowara family was defeated in the Battle of Takajo and was expelled. Then, Yoshihisa’s younger brother Shimazu Iehisa became the head of the castle.

In 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Kyusyu Region. Shimazu Yoshihisa and Yoshihiro fought hard, but finally was defeated. Their territories were reduced to Satsuma, Osumi, and a part of Hyuga Province.

In the battle, the head of the Sadowara Castle Iehisa suddenly died. Shimazu Toyohisa succeeded him.
In the 5th year of the Keicho period (1600), the Shimazu family attended the western army in the Battle of Sekigahara and Toyohisa was killed.

The Shimazu family planned both absolute resistance and surrender. Finally they were forgiven by Ieyasu.
Ieyasu’s man Shoda Sandayu temporally ruled the castle. In 1603, Shimazu Mochihisa got in charge of it and the Shimazu family rule the estate until the end of the Edo period.

In the Meiji Restoration, the domain army fought in Battle of Tobafushimi, Aizu War, and Hakodate War with Satsuma Domain.
In addition, Sadowara Castle was destroyed for the policy of the Meiji government.

[Address,access]
1012 Kitamata, Aya Town, Higashi Morokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture 880-1302

[Map]