Virtual Honjo Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #9 Choo-ji Temple

 

     Ako-tsu Port was ruled by the Akotsu Family, who enjoyed good relations with the Ando Pirates.  They built Akotsu Fortress on the top of the hill behind the port.

     The Akotsu Family was dismissed in 1600.  Tateoka Mitsushige (1547-1639) moved to the area in 1603, but was dismissed in 1622.  In 1623, Iwaki Yoshitaka (1609-1672) moved in.  He built Kameda Residence at the foot of the hill and developed the town at the foot of the residence.  As Choo-ji Temple is located in the town, it might have been founded when the town was developed.

     In the 1980's, the fake castle tower and the fake main gate were built for the sake of sightseeing.  Ever since then, the site is called Kameda Castle, but there never was a castle in the Edo Period.  Can we call Kamedamachi, or Kameda Town, a castle town?

     After the Akotsu Family was dismissed, part of the family called themselves Kosukegawa and became a vassal of the Yashima Domain.  When Kosukegawa Jiroemon was hired by the domain, he made use of the momentum of the 1679 Peasant Revolts, but once he was hired, he betrayed the cause of the revolts.

Address: Shitamachi-43 Kamedamachi, Iwakikameda, Yurihonjo, Akita 018-1217

Phone: 0184-72-2030

Akaozu Fortress Site

Address: Takashiro-2 Iwakishimohebita, Yurihonjo, Akita 018-1223

Kameda Castle

Address: Kamedamachi-45 Iwakikamedakamedamachi, Yurihonjo, Akita 018-1217