Odawara Odawara City,
Kanagawa Prefecture
Odawara, the home of Fuma Ninjas
Fuma ninjas served under the Hojo clan and took part in battles.
They acted as a group, and were skilled at riding horses and conducting guerilla wars.
As a tradition, ninjas who were appointed as the head of the Fuma ninjas identified themselves “Kotaro,”
led the Fuma ninjas,and supported the Hojo clan from behind the scenes.
As there remain very few documents related to Fuma ninjas, they are shrouded in mystery.
大阪からのアクセス
Odawara Castle
The Odawara Castle was built by the Omori clan, during the Muromachi Period (1336–1573). Ise Souzui (a.k.a. Hojo Soun) advanced into Odawara, and five generations of the Hojo clan expanded their power over the Kanto region for approximately 100 years. The Odawara Castle was established as the center of their control over Kanto, with the structure and surrounding castle town extending for 9 km (SOGAMAE). The Hojo clan was destroyed after being defeated in the attack of Odawara by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
「©北条五代観光推進協議会」
ISE SOZUI
He based in the Odawara Castle of Sagami (current Kanagawa Prefecture), followed by four generations, Ujitsuna, Ujiyasu, Ujimasa, and Ujinao. He was the first generation of the Later Hojo clan who set out to the Kanto region and became a daimyo during the period of Warring States. He is known as Hojo Soun. As he was a feudal warlord active in the early days of the Sengoku Warring States Period (from late 15th century to late 16th century), he was also called “the first Sengoku daimyo.” He united the Sagami Province by using the Fuma clan, and established a foothold to rule the Kanto region for the Hojo clan.
Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle
It is called “Ishigakiyama (stone wall mountain)” because when Toyotomi Hideyoshi besieged the Odawara Hojo clan with an army of 150,000 soldiers, he built this castle only with stones to function as the headquarters. Here is why this castle is known as “Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle” or “Taiko Ichiya Castle” (ichiya means one night). When Hideyoshi constructed this castle, he put up the frameworks of its walls and tower in the woods at the mountaintop, covered them with white paper to make them look like white walls, then cut down trees that surrounded the castle overnight. It is said that when the officers and soldiers at the Odawara Castle saw it, they were overwhelmed and their morale plummeted.
「写真提供：(一社)小田原市観光協会」
NINJA Hall
The exhibition under the theme of “Fuma ninjas,” who were thought to have supported the Hojo clan behind the scenes in the age of provincial wars (from late 15th century to late 16th century), enables you to learn about ninjas and have new experiences and sensations. It’s a facility where you can study the history of the Hojo Five Generations and Fuma ninjas through visuals and exhibits. This hands-on, interactive facility with items you can touch and move as well as digital technologies is enjoyable for a wide range of people, from children to foreigners.
Well-known Fuma
「©北条五代観光推進協議会」
FUMA KOTARO
He served the Hojo clan during the Sengoku period. Kotaro was a large muscular man standing over 2 meters tall with four fangs. It is said that his voice could be heard 5km away.
KATO DANZO
He was also called Tobi (black kite) Kato. It is said that he was trained by the Fuma clan as an “apprentice of the Fuma clan of Odawara.”
NIKURUWA ISUKE
During the Kawagoe Night Battle, he was guided by Fuma Kotaro, and sent to the fort of the enemy, the Uesugi clan, as a spy by order of Hojo Ujiyasu. His help contributed to the major victory.