Kuroda Yoshitaka (1546–1604) was one of the closest advisors to the legendary military commander Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He took part in key military campaigns of the late 16th century, including the campaign against Shikoku in 1585 and the campaign against Kyushu in 1587. Later, during the second campaign in Korea, Yoshitaka served as chief advisor to the commander of the invasion forces, Kobayakawa Hideaki. After Hideyoshi's death, he swore allegiance to Tokugawa Ieyasu, thereby securing his influence and patronage under Japan's new leader.
In 1587, Toyotomi Hideyoshi commissioned Yoshitaka to build a new castle on the current site. By 1588, the main buildings had been completed. This castle was named Nakatsu and became one of the rare examples of so-called mizujiro, or “castles on water.” One side of the fortress faced directly onto the sea, and during high tide, seawater filled the moats, turning the castle into a natural fortress. The layout of the castle resembled an open fan, which is why it was also given the poetic name Ogijō, meaning “fan castle.”
After the great battle of Sekigahara in 1600, which brought victory to Tokugawa Ieyasu, Kuroda Yoshitaka received richer possessions in the territory of modern Fukuoka Prefecture. Nakatsu Castle was transferred to Hosokawa Tadaoki. The new owner fortified and expanded the castle, but at the same time began construction of his new residence, Kokura Castle. When Kokura was ready, Tadaoki transferred Nakatsu to his son, Hosokawa Tadatosi.
Later, the castle passed into the possession of the Ogasawara clan, and in 1717 it was given to Okudaira Masashige. The Okudaira clan owned the fortress until the Meiji Restoration. At various times, famous people lived within the walls of Nakatsu: the scholar Maeno Ryotaku (1723–1803), author of a Japanese-Dutch dictionary, and the outstanding Meiji-era philosopher Fukuzawa Yukichi (1834–1901).
In 1877, during Saigo Takamori's rebellion against the new Japanese government, the castle was severely damaged, with 22 watchtowers and the main keep burned down. It was not until 1964 that the keep was rebuilt in reinforced concrete with funds from the descendants of the Okudaira clan. Since the original drawings and images of the castle were not preserved, archival photographs of Hagi Castle, destroyed in 1874, were used for the reconstruction.
Until 2010, the castle buildings were privately owned, after which they were purchased by a company from Saitama Prefecture. The modern donjon of Nakatsu Castle consists of five tiers and five floors, and its walls are covered with black boards. A two-tiered watchtower stands nearby, and the residence of Yukichi Fukuzawa has also been restored.
Today, the donjon houses a historical museum with an interesting collection of artifacts. Matchlock guns occupy a special place, as there are quite a few of them here. In addition, reenactment festivals are regularly held near the castle, where shooting with ancient weapons is demonstrated.
Nakatsu Castle is also associated with the descendants of the samurai Ochia Michihisa, the very warrior who depicted the crucified Torii Sunemon, the hero of the siege of Nagashino Castle, on his battle flag.
See also
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Edo Castle
The history of Edo Castle dates back to the Heian period, when the Edo clan built a small fort on this site. In 1457, the vassal of the Uesugi clan, Ota Dokan (1432–1486), constructed a full-scale castle here. Internal conflicts weakened the Uesugi clan, and in 1524, Ota Dokan’s grandson, Ota Yasutaka, surrendered the castle without resistance to the forces of Hojo Soun, the ambitious leader of the Hojo clan. While Odawara Castle remained the clan's main stronghold, Edo was considered a key strategic fortress.
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Samurai Museum Shinjuku
Situated in the vibrant district of Shinjuku, the museum showcases an extensive collection of samurai armor, weapons, and cultural artifacts spanning from the Kamakura to the Edo period. The exhibits aim to convey the samurai's unwavering commitment to honor and discipline, reflecting how their spirit continues to influence modern Japanese culture.
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Anjo Castle
Anjo Castle was built on a slight elevation at the edge of the Hekikai Plateau, about 2 kilometers southeast of present-day central Anjo City in Aichi Prefecture. Today, the surrounding area thrives on large-scale agriculture and automotive manufacturing, utilizing the expansive flatlands and its proximity to the Nagoya region.
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Numata Castle
Numata Castle, located in Numata, northern Gunma Prefecture, Japan, has a rich and complex history. During the late Edo period, it served as the residence of the Toki clan, who ruled the Numata Domain. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands multiple times and was the site of significant battles during the Sengoku period.
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Iwabitsu Castle
Iwabitsu Castle is a yamashiro-style (mountain) castle located atop Mount Iwabitsu in Higashiagatsuma, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Recognized for its historical significance, its ruins have been protected as a National Historic Site since 2019.
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Tsutsujigasaki Castle
Tsutsujigasaki Castle (Tsutsujigasaki Yakata) served as the fortified residence of the last three generations of the Takeda clan and is located in the heart of Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Unlike traditional Japanese castles, it was not referred to as a "castle" in Japanese, as the Takeda clan famously believed in relying on their warriors as their true fortifications, stating, "Make men your castle, men your walls, men your moats." Designated a National Historic Site in 1938, the ruins are now open to the public and house the Takeda Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of the Takeda clan.
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Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle, originally built by the Owari Domain in 1612 during the Edo period, stands on the site of an earlier Oda clan castle from the Sengoku period. It became the centerpiece of Nagoya-juku, a significant castle town on the Minoji road, which connected two major Edo Five Routes: the Tokaido and the Nakasendo. In 1930, ownership of the castle was transferred to the city by the Imperial Household Ministry, establishing it as the focal point of modern Nagoya. Although partially destroyed in the Pacific War in 1945, the castle has undergone continuous restoration and preservation efforts since 1957.
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Matsushiro Castle
Matsushiro Castle, originally known as Kaizu Castle, is located in what was once Matsushiro town, now part of Nagano City. The site is recognized as a National Historic Site of Japan. Situated on the northern Shinano flatlands between the Chikuma River and a former riverbed that serves as a natural outer moat to the north, the castle and its surrounding town were prone to flooding due to their location.
