Site of Kamabuta Castle

Kamabuta Castle was a mountain fortress built on a 154-meter hilltop in 1569 by the commander Chijiwa Yamato no Kami Naokazu. When a rival domain attacked in 1577 and promised reinforcements failed to come, Chijiwa and his retainers died defending the castle. The structure standing today dates from 1987 and shares little with the original, though some foundation stones and original staircase stones remain. A more compelling thread runs through family history: Chijiwa was the father of Chijiwa Miguel, one of four young envoys sent to Europe in 1582 to meet the pope. Rosary beads found in his apparent grave suggest he held his faith until the end.