Shinoridate

Shinori Tate is located in present-day Hakodate City, Hokkaido, Japan. It is one of the most important medieval fortified residences in northern Japan and one of the Twelve Fortified Residences of Southern Hokkaido (Dōnan Jūnitate). Traditionally believed to have been built by the Kobayashi clan, Shinori Tate played a significant role in the history of interactions between the Japanese mainland and Ezo (present-day Hokkaido). The site is designated as a National Historic Site of Japan and was selected as one of the Top 100 Continued Japanese Castles in 2017.

Shinori Tate was constructed on a coastal hill overlooking the sea. The former Shinori River flowed along its western side, a valley bordered its eastern side, and the Pacific Ocean lay directly to the south, providing both natural defenses and convenient access to maritime transportation. Today, the northern edge of the site lies immediately beside the runway of Hakodate Airport, creating a unique landscape where a medieval archaeological site coexists with modern infrastructure.

According to historical records, the successive lords of Shinori Tate all belonged to the Kobayashi clan. The clan's founder at the site, Kobayashi Tarōzaemon-no-jō Yoshikage, descended from a family that had originally served the court noble Madenokōji Fujifusa. During the generation of his grandfather, Kobayashi Jirō Shigehiro, the family crossed the sea to Ezo, after which leadership of the residence was inherited successively by Kobayashi Yatarō Yoshisada and Kobayashi Saburōemon Yoshiharu.

Between 1983 and 1985, archaeological excavations conducted by the Hakodate City Board of Education revealed that the residence had been carefully designed to take advantage of the natural terrain. The enclosure was surrounded by earthen ramparts and protected by Yagen-shaped and box Yagen-shaped dry moats, forming an overall plan that was nearly rectangular. The enclosed area measured approximately 70–80 meters east to west and 50–65 meters north to south, covering about 4,100 square meters. Excavations uncovered the remains of pillar-supported buildings, a well, and other facilities. The northern earthen rampart stood approximately 4–4.5 meters high, while the southern rampart measured around 1–1.5 meters. Outside the northern and western sides were dry moats approximately 5–10 meters wide and up to 3.5 meters deep, demonstrating the site's sophisticated defensive design.

The excavations also yielded a large number of ceramic artifacts dating to the first half of the 15th century, including celadon, white porcelain, Suzu ware, Echizen ware, and Old Seto ware. These finds indicate that Shinori Tate maintained active trade and cultural connections with Japan's main island of Honshu. The dating of these artifacts closely corresponds with the historical account in the Shinra no Kiroku, which records the fall of Shinori Tate during the Battle of Kōin (1457), also known as the Koshamain War. As such, the site provides invaluable archaeological evidence for the study of medieval southern Hokkaido.

Shinori Tate was first designated a National Historic Site in 1934, with the protected area expanded in 1977 to include the lower bailey (koshikuruwa), dry moats, and the surrounding valleys. Although none of the original buildings survive today, the earthen ramparts, defensive moats, and natural landscape remain remarkably well preserved. The site stands as an important cultural asset for understanding medieval fortifications in Hokkaido, defensive architecture, and the historical interactions between the Wajin (ethnic Japanese settlers) and the Ainu people.