Shikano in Tottori

Shikano in Tottori

Shikano is located about 20 kilo-meters west of Downtown Tottori City. During the Warring States period in the sixteenth century, a castle was built on a small hill south of Shikano Town. In the Edo Age (1603-1868), the Shikano Feudal Domain was established there.

A castle town spread out at the foot of the castle. Even today, the townscape north of Shikano Castle retains its original appearance.

I took a bus from Hamamura Station on the Sanin Main Line and got off the bus at Shikano Branch Office. On the way from the Shikano branch office to Shikano town, I saw the castle hill where Shikano Castle is located and the town beyond the fields.

Turning right at the Kajimachi intersection, I entered Shikano Town.

Old buildings lined both sides of the street, giving a sense of the town's former castle town atmosphere.

Windmill decorations adorned the lattices of the houses.

I continued south for a while, then turned left at a T-junction in the town. The old townscape continued beyond the T-junction.

An irrigation canal flowed alongside the street, and flowers were beautifully arranged along it.

At Koseiji Temple, the grave of YAMANAKA Shikanosuke(1545-1578) is located. YAMANAKA Shikanosuke was a retainer of the AMAGO clan. The battles between the MORI and AMAGO clans began in 1562.

The MORI clan attacked Gassan-Toda Castle three times, and in 1567, AMAGO Yoshihisa(1540-1610) surrendered the castle, leading to the downfall of the AMAGO clan. AMAGO retainers, including YAMANAKA Shikanosuke, launched a counterattack against the MORI clan around 1569, two years after the AMAGO clan's demise. The AMAGO restoration army challenged the MORI clan in three battles, but surrendered to the MORI clan in the Battle of Kozuki Castle in 1578. YAMANAKA Shikanosuke was captured and murdered.

KAMEI Korenori, the first feudal lord of the Shikano Domain, was also a remnant of the AMAGO clan, but he did not participate in the Battle of Kozuki Castle and therefore escaped death. It is said that Lord KAMEI Korenori(1557-1612) mourned his death and founded Koseiji Temple to pray for his soul. "Kosei" was the given name of YAMANAKA Shikanosuke.

Heading south from Koseiji Temple, a small hill came into view beyond the village.

Shikano Castle buildings were located on the slopes of this hill, from its summit to its base. The castle was built in the middle of the fifteenth century, and in 1544, AMAGO Haruhisa(1514-1561) attacked Shikano Castle, resulting in the deaths of the castle lord, SHIKANO Nyudo, and others. In 1580, KAMEI Korenori, who distinguished himself during HASHIBA Hideyoshi's attack on Tottori Castle, became the castle lord. The main and second bailey at the foot of the hill were the central areas of Shikano Castle during the Edo Age.

Walking south through the village of Shikano, we reached the moat of Shikano Castle.

The second bailey was located on the opposite bank of the wide moat, shown in the above photos. The combined elementary and junior high school in Shikano is located in the former second bailey.

The photo below shows the inner moat between the second bailey and the main bailey.

The main bailey is located on the opposite side of the inner moat. The medieval Shikano Castle was located on the top of the hill beyond the inner moat.

Nothing remains on the hill top where the medieval Shikano Castle was once located. Only a view looking down the town of Shikano remains.

To the west of Shikano Castle, Korinji Temple is located. Beyond the magnificent temple gate, you will see the charming main hall. It is said that there is a garden from the time of IKEDA Teruzumi(1604-1662) behind the main hall.

IKEDA Teruzumi, in the early Edo Age, was confined to Shikano due to a internal squabble in his family. Later, he established the Shikano Domain.

How to get there
From Tokyo, take a "Nozomi". Get off a Nozomi at Shin-Osaka or Kyoto. Take a Limited Express "Super Hakuto" bound for Tottori or Kurayoshi. Get off at Tottori. Change a train at Torrori to Hamamura. Take a bus from Hamamura Station to Shikano.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Ruins of Tottori Castle
Jinpukaku Hall
Mausoleums of IKEDA Clan
Kurayoshi Historical District
Historical District in Daisenguchi