更新日：2021年1月1日

Ieyasu’s castle construction

“Hikuma Castle”, predecessor of Hamamatsu Castle

Hikuma Castle, the predecessor to Hamamatsu Castle, is labeled “Kojo” (Old Castle) in a picture diagram of Hamamatsu Castle in the early modern period. In the northeastern part of the castle grounds, one can see four enclosures surrounded by earthworks and moats. While the lord of the castle at the time of its construction is unknown, ownership was taken by the Inoo clan, vassals of the Imagawa clan, in the early 16th century. Tokugawa Ieyasu then moved to Hamamatsu, and used Hikuma Castle as a base and foothold to rule over Hamamatsu.

Picture diagram of Enshu Hamamatsu Castle (Enlarged view of old castle section)

 Construction of Hamamatsu Castle

Tokugawa Ieyasu rebuilt Hikuma Castle and expanded the castle ground toward the Mikatabara Plateau on the west side. He also renamed the castle as “Hamamatsu Castle”. As tensions with the Takeda clan continued, Hamamatsu Castle was rebuilt many times. While there are many unclear points about Hamamatsu Castle built by Ieyasu, it can be estimated that in the early modern period its range was centered on the main keep enclosure, main bailey, second bailey, nishi-hajo enclosure, outer bailey, and sakuza enclosure.

Current status of the Sakuza Enclosure