This is one of the medieval castle buildings in Tsuge, Iga City, and is the largest historical site of castle in north Iga. It is also called “Fukuchi Castle” or “Tsuge Castle”. It is designated as a historical site by Mie Prefecture.
It was a typical castle with a “根小屋Negoya” (Residences at the foot of castles built in the mountains and surrounding compound areas) and a “詰の城 Tsume-no-shiro” (a castle in the mountains used as a last stronghold during warfare). The site utilizes the edge of a hill protruding to the east of the village of Yamade in Tsuge. The ruins of the residence are located under the western hill, and Demaru (built to protect the front line of the castle) is located to the west and east.
In 1981, an excavation survey was conducted and foundation stones, stone paving, mortar, earthenware pots, and a conch shell were found. According to the “三国地誌 Sangoku Chishi”, the castle was the residence of the Fukuchi clan, which originated from the second son of Taira no Munekiyo. The “満済准后日記”, the diary of a monk of the Shingon sect (a branch of Japanese Buddhism) in Kyoto and adopted son of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, also mentions “伊勢（伊賀）国人ツケ（柘植）三方、ヘキ（日置）・北ムラ（北村）・フクチ（福地） Ise (Iga) Kokujin Tsuke (Tsuge) Sanpou, Heki (Hioki)・Kitamura・Fukuchi” and although there are errors and katakana, the name was handed down to Kyoto as “国人 Kokujin” (people who rule each village or community) of Tsuge area. According to the “信長公記 Nobunagako-ki,” after the Tenshō Iga War, “Ikejiri Heizaemon” became the lord of the castle.
The Fukuchi clan of Fukuchi Castle became a member of the Oda clan during the Tenshō Iga War and guided them to Tsugeguchi. According to the “伊水温故 Isui-ungo”, it is described as “福地屋舗 Fukuchi-yashiki,” and Ikejiri Heizaemon is said to have been the richest man in the country who betrayed the Iga and followed Oda Nobunaga. His reputation as a “福人 Fukujin” is also reflected in the large size of his castle. After the Honnoji Incident, he is said to have fled Iga.
