Shiroishi Castle

　Shiroishi Castle saw a rapid succession of lords—Yashiro, Gamō, Amakasu, Ishikawa and Katakura—in just under 20 years.

　Under the ‘One Province, One Castle’ edict issued by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1615, daimyo across the country were required to demolish all their castles except their main strongholds. However, it is said that Katakura Kagetsuna, a senior retainer of the Date clan, was recognised by the shogunate for his services and was granted special permission to retain the castle.

　Although the castle was abandoned in the early Meiji period, it was restored in 1995. It is said that over 40,000 Mino cold-resistant ibushi tiles, fired in Sakihogi Town near my home, were used on the castle keep. By firing the clay at a high temperature of 1,150 degrees for 36 hours, the water absorption rate is reduced, which helps to prevent frost damage typical of cold climates.