Chiran Castle, where the townscape embodying the Satsuma Domain's 'management philosophy' remains - The Road to Castle Mania No. 176

Hello!

When history and food connect, travel becomes even more interesting.
I want to share the joy of castle strolling!
I'm Sobako Sarashina, a travel writer in my late 40s.

Last time, I introduced Shibushi Castle, which has breathtaking dry moats carved into the Shirasu plateau.

This time, we continue the 'Shimazu Clan's Main and Branch Castles' series withChiran Castle🏯

Chiran is known as a base for the kamikaze special attack units and is famous for its group of samurai residences, often called the 'Little Kyoto of Satsuma'.

But actually, behind those samurai residences lies Chiran Castle, which has been designated as a national historic site as a typical example of a medieval mountain castle in southern Kyushu 🏯

What kind of features are unique to southern Kyushu?

Well then, let's learn from theperspective of the Castle Certification Exam + Sobako Sarashina's travel perspective!

Basic Information: Chiran Castle

• Castle Name:Chiran Castle

• Classification:Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles

• Location:Kori, Chiran-cho, Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture

• Builder:Unknown

• Year Built:Around the 15th century

• Castle Structure:Mountain castle

• Keep:None

• Main Castle Lord:Sata clan

• Other Names:None

• Access:About 10 minutes by Kagoshima Kotsu bus bound for 'Chiran Tokko Kannon Iriguchi' from JR Kyushu Shinkansen 'Kagoshima-Chuo Station', then about a 15-minute walk after getting off at 'Nakagori'

• Time required to reach the main enclosure:About 1 to 1.5 hours

👉 Points

• A typical example of a medieval castle in southern Kyushu characterized by dry moats and cliffs utilizing the Shirasu plateau

• The height difference from the bottom of the dry moat to the enclosure exceeds 30 meters

• Abandoned around 1600 due to a fire of unknown origin. Because it was left untouched, the remains are well-preserved

• After the castle was abandoned, Chiran Fumoto (Tojo system) was developed, leading to the current samurai residence group

History of Chiran Castle

It is said that Chiran Castle was first built in the late Heian period by Tadanobu Chiran, the district governor who ruled this area.
The place name 'Chiran' is derived from this Chiran clan.

Entering the Muromachi period, Tadamitsu Sata of the Shimazu clan became the lord of this area and developed Chiran Castle as his residence.
Later, it was temporarily placed under the control of the Ijuin clan due to internal strife within the Shimazu clan, but in 1420 (Oei 27), Hisatoyo Shimazu recaptured it, and it became the residence of the Sata clan once again.

Afterward, due to the Edo Shogunate's 'One Castle per Province' law, the Shimazu family was only allowed to keep Kagoshima Castle, despite holding both the Satsuma and Osumi provinces.
In other words, Chiran Castle had to be abandoned.

During the Edo period, the Satsuma Domain had a larger number of samurai compared to other domains, with one in four people in the domain belonging to the samurai class.
Because there were so many, it was impossible for all the retainers to live in the Kagoshima castle town.

Therefore, the Satsuma Domain established a unique system called the Tojo system (outer castle system).
Chiran Castle also had a settlement called Chiran Fumoto established, where the Sata clan led a group of samurai and resided permanently.
That is the root of the current Chiran Samurai Residence Group.

Chiran Castle, which had ceded its functions to Chiran Fumoto, was left almost untouched after its abandonment, so it preserved the appearance of a medieval mountain castle in southern Kyushu, and was designated as a National Historic Site in 1993 (Heisei 5).

Highlight Information (for certification exams)

● Dry moats with a height difference of over 30m

The biggest highlight of Chiran Castle is its dynamic structure and beautiful scenery, rare in Japan, which utilizes natural terrain as huge moats and steep cliffs (kirigishi) without building stone walls.

Deep dry moats are dug between the central enclosures such as the 'Honmaru' (main enclosure), 'Kura-no-jo', and 'Ima-jo', and the surrounding enclosures, and the height difference from the bottom of the dry moat to the enclosure is said to exceed 30 meters.

By the way, calling an enclosure a 'castle' is a characteristic of southern Kyushu.

The previous Shibushi Castle also had a 20m dry moat, but it is truly interesting how much the appearance of a castle changes depending on the geology!!

● Masugata Koguchi (Square Gate)

The 'Masugata Koguchi' is an advanced defensive structure where the entrance to a road leading to the Honmaru, etc., is bent into an L-shape or crank shape to stop the momentum of invading enemies and wipe them out from multiple directions.
At Chiran Castle, these remain in good condition over a considerable scale.

A distinctive feature is that the masugata-koguchi (square-shaped gate), which is usually built by stacking stone walls, is created by carving out the Shirasu plateau.
Although it is a medieval mountain castle, its complex structure, which incorporates the defensive concepts of early modern castles, is a highlight.

● Chiran Samurai Residence Group

The Chiran Samurai Residence Group that spreads out in the castle town is also a must-see.

The Chiran Samurai Residence Gardens, known as the 'Little Kyoto of Satsuma,' are best known for their townscape that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period and the seven gardens designated as National Places of Scenic Beauty.

It is said that by walking from Chiran Castle to the Samurai Residence Group in order, you can truly feel the changes in Satsuma's governance from the Sengoku period to the Edo period.
I also really want to see the cut-stone screen that stands after passing through the samurai gate!

Castle Town Gourmet (*This won't be on the test!)

And so! Everyone, the moment you've been waiting for!
It's time for some fun castle town gourmet information!

The 'Little Kyoto of Satsuma' was packed with delicious-looking sweets!

■ Chiran Tea Sweets

Chiran in Minamikyushu City is a major production area for 'Chiran Tea,' one of the nation's leading tea brands.
Chiran tea, produced by the mild climate and rich soil, is characterized by its high fragrance and deep richness.

Having matcha sweets and tea at a cafe in the samurai residence area is a standard Chiran sightseeing course 🍵
Chiran tea cream puffs, they look delicious!!

■ Akumaki

The local sweet of Chiran town, 'Akumaki,' is a traditional Japanese confection made by soaking glutinous rice in bamboo ash lye, wrapping it in bamboo leaves, and boiling it for a long time.
It is characterized by its unique chewy texture and aroma, and it is common to eat it sprinkled with kinako (soybean flour) or sugar soy sauce.

Since it keeps at room temperature for several days to about 10 days, it is said that soldiers in the Sengoku period used it as a portable ration or battlefield food, making it a highly historical item.

At the Chiran tea specialty store, Kawaguchi Chaho, they sell akumaki along with Chiran tea, and it seems you can enjoy them together!

■ Karukan

Karukan is a traditional Japanese sweet made with yam and rice flour, known as a famous confection of the Satsuma Domain.
It is said to have been born in the Satsuma Domain during the Edo period and spread nationwide after being brought to Edo during the sankin-kotai (alternate attendance) processions.

In Chiran, products made by kneading Chiran tea into the karukan dough or bean paste are sold, and it is said that the unique supple elasticity and yam flavor of the karukan perfectly match the refreshing aroma and mellow sweetness of the Chiran tea.

Eating Satsuma Domain sweets in the Little Kyoto of Satsuma.
No, seriously, that must be the best!

Summary of Sarashina Sobako's impressions

When researching the Shimazu clan, the phrase 'Do not rely on castles, rely on people' often appears.
This expresses a philosophy of governance and defense that prioritizes people, suggesting that it is the united hearts of the people and their talent that protect and support the nation, rather than relying on strong physical fortifications.

The Shimazu family intentionally built their main castle, Kagoshima Castle, with a simple design lacking a castle tower, and dispersed groups of samurai residences called 'tojo' (outer castles) throughout their territory.
The samurai took root in these various 'fumoto' (foot-of-the-mountain) areas, becoming one with the region to support the domain.

Furthermore, it is said that even during the peaceful Edo period, they never let their guard down and continued to hone their martial arts.
Thinking about how the Satsuma Domain, which firmly maintained a system to cultivate proud hearts and talent even after castles were lost, went on to play a major role in the Meiji Restoration, I really feel that history is connected.

And one of these 'tojo' that embodies the philosophy of the Satsuma Domain remains in Chiran.
While gazing at that townscape, I would love to enjoy some Chiran tea and Chiran tea sweets 😋

Next time, it will be Sadowara Castle in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture.

This is the castle that Shimazu Iehisa captured from the Ito clan and used as a base for managing Hyuga.
It is the final destination of the 100-year conflict between the Ito and the Shimazu.

Next time will also be a castle associated with the Shimazu clan, I'm looking forward to it!!

If you would like to enjoy a journey of castles and gourmet food with me, I would be happy if you could support me with a like and follow ☺️

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