Nihonmatsu Castle

The Nihonmatsu was built by the Hatakeyama clan from 1394 to 1427. The two castle remains are what make up the Nihonmatsu. The castle grounds include a hill and the land surrounding it. On top of the hill is part of an older castle built by the Katakeyama clan during the Muromachi Period. On the land near the base of the hill are the remains of another castle built by the Niwa clan. These two castle remains put together are what we now call the Nihonmatsu. Though we now group the two together, each has had a separate history.

In 1585, Date Terumune was captured by Hatakeyama Yoshitsugu, but on their way back to Nihonmatsu, Terumune's son, Masamune came and defeated Yoshitsugu. Because of this, some samurai decided to come and take Nihonmatsu. The Battle of Hitotoribashi was fought, but neither side won. Date Masamune then forced a seige on Nihonmatsu in April of 1586 and three months, later, Yoshitsugu set his castle on fire and escaped.

The castle at the base of the hill belonged to different families who supported Date Masamune. From 1643 until the Meiji Period, the Niwa clan controlled it this second castle. The Boshin War brought down the defeat of the Nihonmatsu. All the great warriors left Nihonmatsu to go fight. The castle was attacked in July 29, 1868 and it was lost very quickly.