Images: Jcastle.info
白河城
Shirakawa Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Teikakushiki), and is located in Fukushima Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Mutsu Province. It is associated with the Niwa, Abe clans. Dates in use: 1340 - 1871.
This castle has a history longer than most. Almost 300 years after it had first been built, Niwa Nagashige breathed new life into the castle & renamed the castle from Komine to Shirakawa. Several clans governed this castle throughout the Edo period including four different branches of the Matsudaira clan.
Timeline
1340 | Fortifications were built by Yuuki Chikatomo. It was then known as Komine Castle. |
1627 | Niwa Nagashige was transferred to the castle. |
1628 | Niwa Nagashige commenced a four-year restoration of the castle. |
1632 | The restoration was completed. The castle was then named Shirakawa Castle. |
1868 | The castle was destroyed in the Boshin war. |
1992 | The three story main tower was completed. |
1994 | The main gate was rebuilt. |
Historical recognition
Site | National Historic Site |