At the center of Yamagata City stands Kajo Park, built on the former site of Yamagata Castle. Just past the entrance, a mounted statue of Mogami Yoshiaki greets visitors.
The Beginning of Yamagata Castle
Yamagata Castle was first built in 1357 by Shiba Kaneyori, who entered Yamagata as the region's shogunal deputy (Ushu Tandai). The Mogami clan descends from this Shiba Kaneyori.
The castle is also known as Kajo, and is counted among Japan's 100 Fine Castles.
Mogami Yoshiaki — The Fierce General of Dewa
Mogami Yoshiaki, the 11th head of the Mogami clan, greatly expanded the castle's defenses during the Sengoku period, built its third bailey, and organized the surrounding castle town. The basic layout of present-day Yamagata city took shape during this time.
In 1600, the same year as the Battle of Sekigahara, Yamagata was invaded by the Uesugi army in what became known as the Keicho Dewa Campaign. Having withstood this attack, Mogami Yoshiaki was granted a domain of 570,000 koku after the war and became the first lord of Yamagata Domain.
In 1614, Yoshiaki ended his life at Yamagata Castle. His life is said to have been a turbulent one.
Knowing the Land's Foundations Changes the Place You Stand
In Ote-machi, Yamagata City, there's the Mogami Yoshiaki Historical Museum, where you can see materials related to the Mogami clan and the warlord who laid the foundations for Yamagata's prosperity. The museum opened in 1989, and admission is free.
I paint here in Yamagata. When you learn when and by whose hands the land you stand on was shaped, the same scenery starts to look a little different.
I think knowing the history beneath your feet is also a way of taking ownership of the place where you now stand, making it truly your own.
In my commissioned artwork at Mermaid nao, too, I sometimes weave the land or place where you've put down roots into the colors and forms.
[References]
Wikipedia (Yamagata Castle)
Mogami Yoshiaki Historical Museum (Facility Guide)
skyticket Travel Guide (The Great Castle Built by Yamagata's Hero Mogami Yoshiaki! Sightseeing Highlights of Kajo Park)
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/山形城
https://mogamiyoshiaki.jp/
https://skyticket.jp/guide/408685/
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