- Type
- Castle
- Built
- 1648 · 17th century
- Location
- Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
- Commissioned by
- Asano Naganao
- Architect
- Kondō Masazumi
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 34.7457°, 134.3890°
History
Asano Naganao, lord of the Akō domain, began building the castle in 1648, and work continued until 1661. Part of the defences is credited to the military scholar Yamaga Sokō, then in the service of the Asano. In 1701 the founder's grandson Asano Naganori wounded the courtier Kira Yoshinaka in Edo Castle and was ordered to commit seppuku, and his domain was confiscated. The castle was handed to the shogun's officials by the chief retainer Ōishi Kuranosuke, who went on to lead the 47 rōnin in their revenge on Kira. From 1706 until the Meiji Restoration Akō was ruled by the Mori clan.
What to see
The stone walls and moats of the castle survive, and gates and a corner turret were reconstructed in the 20th century. In the main enclosure the floor plan of the palace has been excavated and marked out and a garden restored, while a large pond garden has been recreated in the second enclosure. Ōishi Shrine, dedicated to the rōnin, stands within the grounds, next to the surviving gate of Ōishi's residence.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q601598
Popularity: articles about this site in 14 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).