Matsue Matsue City,
Shimane Prefecture
Ninjas of the Matsue Domain
Since names such as Iga Kyuhachi are found on the “Map of Matsue Castle Town During the Reign of the Horio Clan,”
we can assume that Iga ninjas lived there.
They fled from Iga during the Tensho Iga War, were employed by Horio Yoshiharu of Hamamatsu,
took part in the Battle of Sekigahara, served as Iga ninjas in Matsue when Yoshiharu became the daimyo of Matsue,
and fought in the Siege of Osaka Summer Campaign as musket troops.
It is written in the “Payroll Ledger of the Horio Family” that there were 40 ninjas (from Iga),
40 men with guns (from Saika), and 580 infantry with guns.
大阪からのアクセス
National Treasure Matsue Castle
The castle was built by a feudal warlord, Horio Yoshiharu, who served under Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu. It’s one of the 12 castle keeps in Japan built by the Edo period (1603-1868) and remain to this day. It is also called “Chidori Castle.” Out of these 12 castles, this is the only one equipped with a well. Its structure is designed to withstand attacks. It’s a castle equipped to fight back, with various gimmicks that defend the castle installed throughout the facility.
『堀尾期松江城下町絵図』（島根大学付属図書館所蔵）の一部
Hayamichi
On the “Map of Matsue Castle Town During the Reign of the Horio Clan,” which seems to be the map of the time around 1620-1633, there is a word “Hayamichi” in the Matsue Castle Town, located some distance away from the residences of Iga ninjas. It is assumed that people whose roles included seeking information, ordered by the domain lord, resided there.
Matsue Castle Festival
“Matsue Castle Festival” takes place when cherry blossoms bloom. It is held from late March to mid-April. During this period, the festival is full of fun events, including stage shows that visitors can enjoy, such as traditional performing arts kagura, opportunities to enjoy the castle with warriors, and ninja skill performances! Visitors can also enjoy the atmospheric cherry blossoms lit with paper lanterns.
Matsue Rekishikan
The Matsue History Museum is located adjacent to the Matsue Castle on the east side. It stands in an area where residences of top-ranking samurai officials and advisors of the Matsue Domain lined the streets, and the exterior of the museum looks like those samurai residences. The museum showcases the history and cultures of Matsue, the lives of people in the castle town, and much more with documents, videos, models, and other materials, in an easy-to-understand way. The area is designated as a Preservation District for Traditional Scenic Sites in Matsue City. This is a good place to use as a base when strolling around town as it is close to samurai residences, the former residence of Lafcadio Hearn, Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum, and other tourist destinations.
Horio Yoshiharu, Who Led the Ninjas
Horio Yoshiharu
The first feudal lord of the Matsue Domain. He is from the Owari Province, and joined the eastern army in the Battle of Sekigahara as a member of the Horio clan. It is said that he has his roots in ninjas who fled from the Tensho Iga War and served under the Horio clan.