
Images: Wikipedia Commons
篠山藩
Sasayama Domain
松平 (松井)

Matsudaira (Matsui) Clan
50,000 Koku
松平 (藤井)

Matsudaira (Fujii) Clan
50,000 Koku
松平 (形原)

Matsudaira (Katahara) Clan
50,000 Koku
青山氏

Aoyama Clan
50,000 Koku
篠山城
Sasayama Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Rinkakushiki), and is located in Hyōgo Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Tanba Province. It is associated with the Matsudaira (Katahachi), Aoyama clans. Dates in use: 1609 - 1871.
Sasayama Castle is yet another example of stone foundations being built for a main tower yet no tower ever being built. Nearby Akashi castle, though built a little later, shared the same fate. Why was this? Tokugawa Ieyasu himself declared these castles to be sufficiently strong without a Tenshu & too big a threat with one.
Twenty Daimyō from 15 provinces were ordered to assist in the castle's construction. The designing of the castle was left to one of the greats of castle construction, Tōdō Takatora.
Timeline
1609 | Construction of the castle was initiated. It took just six months to complete. |
1619 | The Fujii branch of the Matsudaira clan were transferred here replacing the Matsui branch of the Matsudaira clan. They remained here for two generations. |
1649 | The Katahachi branch of the Matsudaira clan were transferred here. They remained here for five generations. |
1748 | The Aoyama clan were transferred here. They saw out the active life of the castle remaining here for six generations. |
1871 | The castle was decommissioned. |
1944 | The Ōshō-in burnt to the ground. |
1956 | The site was awarded National Historical site recognition. |
2000 | The Ōshō-in was rebuilt. |
Historical recognition
Site | National Historic Site |