Japanese Castle guide in Japan castle Historical site Statue Introduction.

[Castle name]
Kimotsuki Castle (Takayama Castle)
Kimotsuki Kanetsugu was a strong lord in Osumi Province, but he surrendered when the Shimazu family attacked the castle.

[Description]
Kimotsuki Castle used to stand in a mountain in current Nitomihonjo, Kimotsuki Town, Kimotsuki District, Kagoshima Prefecture. It was originally called Takayama Castle.
It was built by Taira Kanesada’s son Kanetoshi at the end of the Heian period. He established the Kimotsuki family.

In the Warring States period, it became a modern style castle. Osumi Province barely survived the Warring States period although it is sandwiched by the Satsuma Shimazu family in the south and the Hyuga Ito family in the north. However, in the 1st year of the Tensho period (1573), when Kimotsuki Knetsugu was the head, Kimotsuki Castle was attacked by the Shimazu family and he lost the castle.

The Kimotsukifamily resisted for some time, but in the 2nd year of the Tensho period (1574), the 19th head Kimotsuki Kanemori finally followed the Shimazu family. Although he didn’t lose his territory then, in the 8th year of the Tensho period (1581), he was transferred to another area. The castle was destroyed at that time.

In the 5th year of the Keicho period (1600), Kimotsuki Kanemori was killed in the Battle of Sekigahara. His heir Kaneyuki suddenly died, too. The Kimotsuki family adopted from the Niro family, which served the Shimazu family, too.

[Address,access]
8357 Nitomi, Kimotsuki Town, Kimotsuki District, Kagoshima Prefecture 893-1207

[Map]