Okō Castle


Okō Castle was a castle structure in Nankoku Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. Located on a 97-meter mountain. The site was designated a National Historic Site. It was the original base of power for the Chōsokabe clan who were feudal lords of Tosa Province and famous as the birthplace of the warlord Chōsokabe Motochika.

History

The exact date of the castle's foundation is unknown but built in the Kamakura period.
In 1508, Chōsokabe Kanetsugu came under attack by forces of local lords and he killed himself, his son Chōsokabe Kunichika narrowly escaped from the castle. Several years later Kunichika returned to the castle by Ichijō Fusaie's help.
In 1539, Chōsokabe Motochika was born in the castle. Okō Castel was abandoned when Chōsokabe Motochika moved Chōsokabe clan's original base to Urato Castle in 1591.

Current

The castle is now only ruins, with low some stone walls, moats, and earthworks. Kōchi Prefectural Museum of History is on site. At the museum excavated artefacts from the castle are exhibited.
The castle was listed as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles in 2017.

Gallery