But before desperate counter attack of Takanobu Otomo army was broken at the battle of Imayama. For Higo province, Yoshishige beat Kikuchi clan relating Nikai Kuzure no Hen, and indirectly held the province.Īt Hizen province (Saga prefecture), local lord Takanobu Ryuzoji (1529-1584) rapidly grew his power and did not follow to Otomo clan then Yoshishige sent large army to Saga castle in 1570. Originally Chikugo province (south part of Fukuoka prefecture) had a relationship to Otomo clan, and Yoshishge formed these local retainers under Otomo clan. Finally as a result of victory at the battle of Tatarahama in 1568 and backward disturbance strategy to Mouri clan such as supporting Amago restoration army or sending former Ouchi relative, Otomo clan pushed out Mouri clan from Kyushu island and secured Hakata city.Īt the same time, Yoshishige expanded his power to other surrounding nations. Because of Motonari's conspiracy retainers of north Kyushu region such as Akitane Takahashi (1529-1579) or Akitoshi Tachibana (1521-1568) left Otomo clan and Otomo army was forced hard fights.īut through tenacious battles by brave generals such as Dosetsu Tachibana (1513-1585) or Akimasa Yoshihiro (1519-1571) Otomo army gradually improved situation. Later Motonari Mouri (1497-1571), the warlord of Aki province (Hiroshima prefecture) beat Sue clan and Ouchi clan continuously invaded to north Kyushu region. Harukata asked Yoshishige to send his younger brother as a new leader of Ouchi clan, and Yoshishige agreed it and got prosperous Hakata port from Ouchi clan. In 1551, Yoshitaka Ouchi (1507-1551) who was the strong warlord holds Chugoku region and north part of Kyushu island died by a coup d'etat by his important general Harukata Sue (1521-1555). Yoshishige who succeeded leader position aggressively fought against surrounding warlords to expand territory. Even though protected by sea this castle has only single layer defense line thus many turrets were built around the hill to strengthen defense ability. At backside of the hill there was a gate to shipyard. Front side of the hill connecting to the land was covered by stone walls and protected by gate and turrets. In front of central area facing the dry moat, a three story four floor main tower was built. Hilltop area is divided into central area and secondary area, and these two areas were separated by dry moat and stone walls. Hilltop area is built over a huge rocky hill of 300 meter long and 100 meter wide, and formerly totally surrounded by sea and seemed as if anchoring warship or lured fish. Usuki castle consist of hilltop area originally used as castle and hillside area later added. In 1562 Yoshishige built Usuki castle (called as Nyujima castle) as his residence. This incident is called as "Nikai Kuzure no Hen" (raid at second floor), and Yoshishige became the leader of Otomo clan. Yoshiaki was injured by this incident and died next day, stating pass the leader position to Yoshiaki. In 1550 Yoshiaki planned to purge Yoshishige supporters, but Yoshishige supporters knew this attempt then assaulted Yoshiaki and younger brother of Yoshishige. Yoshishige Otomo was the eldest son of Yoshiaki, but Yoshiaki attempted to succeed leader position to his younger brother and Otomo clan divided into Yoshiaki group and Yoshishige group. Since then Otomo clan gradually grew throughout Kamakura and Muromachi era, and once suffered from its internal conflict but at the time of Yoshinaga Otomo (1478-1518) and Yoshiaki Otomo (1502-1550), Otomo clan formed structure as a warlord and started expansion to surrounding provinces. After the establishment of Kamakura Shogunate in 1192, Yoshinao Otomo (1172-1223) was appointed as the governor of Bungo province. Usuki castle was built by Yoshishige Otomo (1530-1587), the leader of Otomo clan as his residence in 1562. About 10 kilometer west from city central, there is a stone carved Buddha nominated as national treasure. Additionally Usuki area was developed by Otomo clan as a manner then it was a private property of the clan. U suki city places at 10 kilometer southeast of Oita city, and different from flat Oita city, Usuki city is a natural fortress protected by mountains and rivers. Before the land reclamation in modern era, this hill was totally separated by sea and called as Nyujima island, only connected to the land by only one bridge. Usuki castle (臼杵城) is located on a hill of 30 meter tall in the center of Usuki city, at the mouth of Usuki-gawa river. Remaining remnants: Turrets, stone walls and moats
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