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Shiroishi Castle |
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Although various theories vary as to the exact date the first castle was
built in Shiroishi, historical documents indicate that the Shiroishi Castle
was occupied by Lord Kageyu Hyoe Kageyori Yashiro from 1586 to 1591. In
1602, the castle was handed to Lord Kojuro Kagetsuna Katakura by Masamune
Date- one of leading daimyo (feudal rulers) in the Tohoku region of Japan.
For ten generations and over 260 years, the Katakura family resided in
Shiroishi castle until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
During the Boshin War in the mid 1800s, the castle was used as the site for the first gathering of the Ouetsu Reppan Alliance. The Alliance consisted of 25 feudal lords from the Tohoku and neighboring regions who were trying to prevent the Aizu Clan in Fukushima from falling to reformist aggression from the south.
Shiroishi Castle prospered as the residence of the Katakura Clan from the time of Kojuro Kagetsuna Katakura whom was a devoted follower of Masamune Date. The castle was pulled down in 1875, after the Meiji Restoration, but restored in 1995 using traditional Japanese building methods. The castle was reconstructed by the ardent desire of Shiroishi citizens and it will exist hundreds of years into the future, accompanying a new chapter of the history of Shiroishi.
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The Shiroishi Castle History Exploration Museum
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The Shiroishi Castle History Exploration, adjacent to the Castle, exhibits
materials that will aid your understanding of the overall structure and
history of the Castle. The Shiroishi Castle was rebuilt at the corner of
Masuoka Park in the very same location it occupied before the castle was
pulled down. At that time, many other buildings occupied the surrounding
area.
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The 3D Movie Theater
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The Shiroishi Castle History Exploration Museum houses a three-dimensional
high-vision movie theater. The theater shows original 3D movies that narrates
the history of Shiroishi.
From May 1997, the theater has been showing the second original film titled
"The Demon Lord Kojuro". In this film, Jo Shishido, a former
graduate of Shiroishi High School plays the role of Kojuro Kagetsuna Katakura.
The previous work "We Are Not Thieves" also presents a fascinating background into Shiroishi Castle and its history. |
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