
Images: Daniel O'Grady
佐倉藩
Sakura Domain
松平氏

Matsudaira Clan
50,000 Koku
小笠原氏

Ogasawara Clan
28,000 Koku
土井氏

Doi Clan
32,000 Koku
石川氏

Ishikawa Clan
70,000 Koku
松平 (形原)

Matsudaira (Katahara) Clan
40,000 Koku
堀田氏

Hotta Clan
110,000 Koku
松平 (大給)

Matsudaira (Ōgyū) Clan
60,000 Koku
大久保氏

Ōkubo Clan
83,000 Koku
戸田氏

Toda Clan
61,000 Koku
稲葉氏

Inaba Clan
102,000 Koku
松平 (大給)

Matsudaira (Ōgyū) Clan
60,000 Koku
堀田氏

Hotta Clan
100,000 Koku
佐倉城
Sakura Castle is classified as a hilltop castle (its layout: Renkakushiki), and is located in Chiba Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Shimōsa Province. It is associated with the Doi, Hotta clans. Dates in use: 1610 - 1873.
Standing in contrast to the castle ruins from other parts of Japan, Sakura Castle is and was bare of stone work. Despite this fact, the castle was regarded as being well-fortified owing to the deep, empty moats and steep earthen embankments.
It's most unfortunate that no buildings have survived. There was a three-layer main-tower but that burnt down in 1813. A pair of gates and the Dō Turret had managed to survive through to the beginning of the Meiji period. Old photographs of these buildings can be seen on signposts around the site.
The Dō Turret was a two-story building located mere meters to the Northeast of Sakura Castle's main tower, and unusually, it had a copper roof (dōkawara buki - 銅瓦葺). This turret was said to have been originally built as a three-layered structure at Edo castle during Ōta Dōkan's lifetime (1432 - 1486). Wow.
Timeline
1610 | The Doi clan built the castle over a seven year period over the top of the ruins of former fortifications (Kashima Castle) of the Chiba clan. |
1799 | The San-no-maru Palace was built. |
1813 | The main tower burnt down. It was never rebuilt. |
Historical recognition
Site | City Historic Site |