NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Tottori Castle

Tottori Castle (鳥取城, Tottori-jou) was the central castle of the Tottori han (fief) in feudal Japan. It was a yamashiro, or 'mountain-castle', built into the mountain itself, using natural obstacles and defenses to a greater extent than man-made walls. Currently, little remains of the castle aside from parts of the stone wall, and one gate, which is reinforced with iron, and features spikes on the outsides of the doors, to help against attackers. Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture is a fine example of a Japanese castle. ... Tottori (鳥取市; -shi) is the capital city of Tottori Prefecture in the Chugoku region of Japan. ... The Han (è—©) were the fiefs of feudal clans of Japan that existed during all the Edo period and for a few years after the Meiji Restoration. ...

In the late 12th century, following the Genpei War, the new Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo granted the Tottori han to Nasu no Yoichi, the hero of the battle of Yashima. He lost it soon afterwards to Kajiwara Kagetoki, a spy for Yoritomo, in a hunting competition. The Genpei or Gempei War (æºå¹³åˆæˆ¦ã€å¯¿æ°¸ãƒ»æ²»æ‰¿ã®ä¹±) (1180-1185) was a war of ancient Japan, fought between the Taira and Minamoto clans. ... In Japanese history, a shogun (å°†è» shÅgun) was the practical ruler of Japan for most of the time from 1192 to the Meiji Era beginning in 1868. ... Minamoto no Yoritomo (May 9, 1147 - February 9, 1199) was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura dynasty of Japan, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. ... Following a long string of defeats, the Taira retreated to Yashima, todays Takamatsu, just off of Shikoku. ...

Tottori is perhaps most well-known for its siege in 1581 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, which lasted 200 days. Those inside, led by Kikkawa Tsuneie, eventually were forced to surrender due to starvation, coming just short, according to some accounts, of giving in to cannibalism. Events January 16 - English Parliament outlaws Roman Catholicism April 4 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. July 26 - The Northern Netherlands proclaim their independence from Spain in the Oath of Abjuration. ... Hideyoshi in old age. ...

References

Turnbull, Stephen (1998). 'The Samurai Sourcebook'. London: Cassell & Co.

Categories: Former castles, palaces, and fortresses | Former buildings and structures of Japan

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