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Matsumoto castle was originally known as Fukashi castle and is located in Matsumoto City in modern day Nagano Prefecture (in a section belonging to the former province of [[Shinano province|Shinano]]). This area by the Japan Alps was controlled by the [[Ogasawara]] family from the thirteenth through the sixteenth centuries until [[1550]] when they were conquered by [[Takeda Shingen]]. It remained under the auspices of the Takeda until Shingen’s death, when the Ogasawara again took possession. After the forces of [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] defeated the [[Hojo]] at [[Odawara castle]], the Ogasawara were moved to the [[Kanto]]. Hideyoshi then gave control of Matsumoto to his vassal [[Ishikawa Kazumasa]]. In [[1593]] a major remodeling was undertaken by Kazumasa of the original castle built in [[1504]]. Although he died later that year, the work was completed by his son Ienaga in 1597. In the province shuffling engaged in by [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] after the [[Battle Of Sekigahara]], the Ogasawara were given Matsumoto for the third time. It was subsequently passed to the [[Matsudaira]] (who undertook additional construction), Hotta, and Mizuno clans. Finally, in 1725, the [[Toda]] were ensconced as its rulers and remained so until the [[Meiji Restoration]].  

Matsumoto castle was originally known as Fukashi castle and is located in Matsumoto City in modern day Nagano Prefecture (in a section belonging to the former province of [[Shinano province|Shinano]]). This area by the Japan Alps was controlled by the [[Ogasawara]] family from the thirteenth through the sixteenth centuries until [[1550]] when they were conquered by [[Takeda Shingen]]. It remained under the auspices of the Takeda until Shingen’s death, when the Ogasawara again took possession. After the forces of [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] defeated the [[Hojo]] at [[Odawara castle]], the Ogasawara were moved Ito the [[Kanto]]. Hideyoshi then gave control of Matsumoto to his vassal [[Ishikawa Kazumasa]]. In [[1593]] a major remodeling was undertaken by Kazumasa of the original castle built in [[1504]]. Although he died later that year, the work was completed by his son [[Ishikawa Yasunaga|Yasunaga]] in [[1597]]. In the province shuffling engaged in by [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] after the [[Battle Of Sekigahara]], the Ogasawara were given Matsumoto for the third time. It was subsequently passed to the [[Matsudaira]] (who undertook additional construction), Hotta, and Mizuno clans. Finally, in 1725, the [[Toda]] were ensconced as its rulers and remained so until the [[Meiji Restoration]].  

Today, the castle is one of the more outstanding examples of [[hirajiro]] to survive. The castle grounds are about 170 meters long and 120 meters wide, and are surrounded by three moats. The Great Tenshu of the castle has six interior and five interior floors, and is connected to the Inui Kotenshu (northeast small tenshu) of four interior and three exterior floors. On the east is the two floored Tatsumi Tsukeyagura (southeast connecting tower), and somewhat further away in line with this is the one story Tsukimi Yagura (moon viewing tower). The Great Tenshu and Inui Kotenshu were built by the Ishikawa, while the other two structures were added by the Matsudaira sometime between 1624-44.  

Today, the castle is one of the more outstanding examples of [[hirajiro]] to survive. The castle grounds are about 170 meters long and 120 meters wide, and are surrounded by three moats. The Great Tenshu of the castle has six interior and five interior floors, and is connected to the Inui Kotenshu (northeast small tenshu) of four interior and three exterior floors. On the east is the two floored Tatsumi Tsukeyagura (southeast connecting tower), and somewhat further away in line with this is the one story Tsukimi Yagura (moon viewing tower). The Great Tenshu and Inui Kotenshu were built by the Ishikawa, while the other two structures were added by the Matsudaira sometime between 1624-44.