Ne Castle

File:Nejo-castle03.jpg

Ne castle.

Ne Castle is a 14th century castle in Hachinohe city, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It was extensively reconstructed in 1994.

History

Ne Castle was constructed in 1334 during the period known as the Nanboku-chō_period (aka the Northern & Southern Courts Period, by Moroyuki Nanbu. Under allegiance to the Southern Court, Nanbu built Ne Castle for the purposes of becoming the center of imperial government in the area. At the same time, another branch of the same Nanbu family ruled the Sannohe and Morioka area for the Northern Court. The two families made peace with each other in 1393, at the end of this Nanboku-chō_period. During the Sengoku era, Masayuki Nanbu, the 18th generation Nanbu was a daimyo loyal to Toyotomi HIdeyosh. After the Battle of Odawara, Masayuki became a retainer of Nobunao Nanbu from Sannohe. Nanbu Naoyoshi in 1627, was moved to Tohno in Iwate Prefecture and the Nanbu lord from Sannohe moved to Hachinohe. He established a new castle, Hachinohe Castle, to the East of Ne Castle closer to the ocean.

Ne Castle was first built in the year 1334, during an era referred to by historians as the Northern and Southern Courts period. It was constructed by Moroyubi Nanbu. Under allegiance to the Southern Court, Nanbu built Ne Castle specifically for the purporsed of becoming the centre of imperial government in the region. Another branch of the Nanbu clan ruled the Sannohe and Morioka areas for the Northern Court. Peace was made between the two in the late 14th century - the end of the Northern and Southern courts period. Following the events of the Battle of Odawara the titular lord of the castle, Masayuki Nanbu was moved to Tohno in Iwate prefecture. A new castle was then established closer to the sea, to the east of Ne Castle.

Current site

In 1994, the castle was largely reconstructed 1994, with some emphasis on the inner citadel On the current site there are two gates, one for the lord and guests, the other a simpler gate for servants and workers. There are many reconstructed parts of the castle on site. Technically, Ne Castle was constructed before the main era of Castle development, so while there are still gates, baileys, and watchtowers, there is no main keep. There is little stonework, and the walls are just wooden posts fences on the outside, and simple slat wood walls in the central compound section of the castle

External References

• http://zoomingjapan.com/travel/hachinohe-ne-castle/
• http://www.kotodamaya.com/ne-castle/
• http://castle.jpn.org/en/mutsu1/ne/