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Located in Marugame City in Kagawa Prefecture (the historical [[Sanuki province]]), Marugame castle had its beginnings in the early [[Muromachi]] period as fortifications built by the Nara clan (retainers of the [[Hosokawa]]). In [[1587]] [[Ikoma Chikamasa]] received Sanuki as his fief and built Takamatsu castle as his center of power. He gave control of Marugame castle to his son, [[Ikoma Kazumasa|Kazumasa]], in [[1597]].  

Located in Marugame City in Kagawa Prefecture (the historical [[Sanuki province]]), Marugame castle had its beginnings in the early [[Muromachi period]] as fortifications built by the [[Nara clan]] (retainers of the [[Hosokawa clan]]). In [[1587]], [[Ikoma Chikamasa]] received Sanuki as his fief and built [[Takamatsu castle]] as his center of power. He gave control of Marugame castle to his son, [[Ikoma Kazumasa|Kazumasa]], in [[1597]].  

Kazumasa began working on improving the fortifications and built a series of [[ishigaki]] that rivaled the ones later seen at [[Kumamoto castle|Kumamoto]]. The Ikoma fell on hard times in [[1600]] when they found themselves on the losing side at the [[Battle Of Sekigahara]]. It was decided to abandon Marugame castle in 1615 when the [[Tokuagwa]] issued its ‘one castle per province’ edict. Many of the buildings were destroyed or fell apart from neglect. [[Yamazaki Ieuji]] was given Sanuki in [[1641]] as a reward for his heroism during the [[1638]] [[Shimabara Rebellion]] and chose to move his headquarters to Marugame. He began work on rebuilding and restoring the castle and the work was completed in [[1644]]. The castle was not to remain his for long, being handed over to the [[Kyogoku]] family in [[1658]]. The family rebuilt the Otemon complex (the Oteichinomon and the Ninomon) in [[1670]]. The Kyokoku remained in charge until the Imperial government took control of the castle at the end of the [[Meiji]] period. The castle was heavily damaged by fire in [[1869]] and many of the buildings were destroyed by the Meiji government in [[1870]]. The castle tenshu (the existing one is the one built in 1644) was extensively renovated in 1950.

Kazumasa began working on improving the fortifications and built a series of ''[[ishigaki]]'' that rivaled the ones later seen at [[Kumamoto castle|Kumamoto]]. The [[Ikoma clan]] fell on hard times in [[1600]] when they found themselves on the losing side at the [[Battle Of Sekigahara]]. It was decided to abandon Marugame castle in 1615 when the [[Tokuagwa shogunate|shogunate]] issued its ‘one castle per province’ edict. Many of the buildings were destroyed or fell apart from neglect. [[Yamazaki Ieuji]] was given Sanuki in [[1641]] as a reward for his heroism during the [[1638]] [[Shimabara Rebellion]] and chose to move his headquarters to Marugame. He began work on rebuilding and restoring the castle and the work was completed in [[1644]]. The castle was not to remain his for long, being handed over to the [[Kyogoku clan|Kyôgoku clan]] in [[1658]]. The family rebuilt the Ôtemmon complex (the Oteichinomon and the Ninomon) in [[1670]]. The Kyôgoku remained in charge until the Imperial government took control of the castle at the end of the [[Meiji period]]. The castle was heavily damaged by fire in [[1869]] and many of the buildings were destroyed by the Meiji government in [[1870]]. The castle ''[[tenshu]]'' (the existing one is the one built in 1644) was extensively renovated in 1950.

The castle is a [[hirayamajiro]] and was built on a hill about 66 meters tall with more of its complex located on the plain at the bottom. It is close to the north shore of [[Shikoku]] and can be seen from the Inland Sea. The isshigaki are among the largest ones still standing in Japan, and rise in three levels up the side of the hill. By contrast, the tiny tenshu (three interior/three exterior stories with traditional tile roofing) looks small in proportion to the walls. This represents the greater wealth and power of the Ikoma (who built the walls) in contrast to the Yamazaki (who were a poorer clan under strict Tokugawa castle repair regulations).

The castle is a ''[[hirayamajiro]]'' and was built on a hill about 66 meters tall with more of its complex located on the plain at the bottom. It is close to the north shore of [[Shikoku]] and can be seen from the Inland Sea. The ''ishigaki'' are among the largest ones still standing in Japan, and rise in three levels up the side of the hill. By contrast, the tiny ''tenshu'' (three interior/three exterior stories with traditional tile roofing) looks small in proportion to the walls. This represents the greater wealth and power of the Ikoma (who built the walls) in contrast to the [[Yamazaki clan]] (who were a poorer clan, and rebuilt it under strict shogunal regulations regarding castle repair).

   

   

Both the tenshu and the Otemon complex have been named Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government. In addition, there are other original small structures and parts of buildings located on the grounds.

Both the ''tenshu'' and the Ôtemmon complex have been named Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government. In addition, there are other original small structures and parts of buildings located on the grounds.

==References==

==References==

*Kodama Kota & Tsuboi Kiyotari, editors ''Nihon Joukaku Taikei''-20 Volumes Tokyo:Shinjimbutsu oraisha, 1981

*Kodama Kota & Tsuboi Kiyotari, editors ''Nihon Joukaku Taikei''-20 Volumes Tokyo:Shinjimbutsu oraisha, 1981

*Hinago Motoo ''Nihon No Bijutsu #54:Shiro'' Tokyo:Shibundo, 1970

*Hinago Motoo ''Nihon No Bijutsu #54:Shiro'' Tokyo:Shibundo, 1970

*Schmorleitz, Morton S ''Castles In Japan'' Tokyo:Charles E Tuttle Company Inc, 1974

*Schmorleitz, Morton S ''Castles In Japan'' Tokyo:Charles E Tuttle Company Inc, 1974

[[Category:Castles]]

[[Category:Castles]]