The Oldest Surviving Turret of Ozu Castle
The Ozu Castle San-no-maru South Corner Turret (大洲城三の丸南隅櫓) is a castle corner turret of 1766 in Ozu, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 18, 1957 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a two-storey turret with a tiled roof, with 1 ridge tag designated alongside it; designation number 01417.
A Turret at the Outer Moat
The San-no-maru South Corner Turret stands at the south corner of the outer moat of the third enclosure and is the oldest surviving turret of Ozu Castle (Ozu City). Its founding date is unknown; it burned in a fire in 1722 and was rebuilt 44 years later, in 1766.
Hemlock is used at key points and pine for the posts (Ozu City). The ridge tag shows that, reflecting the domain's money troubles, it was rebuilt at as little cost as possible.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency designated this two-storey turret of 1766, together with its ridge tag, as an Important Cultural Property. Ozu City notes that bamboo tubes are buried in its thick inner walls as hidden loopholes, plastered over so that they cannot be seen from outside.
What to Look For
Look for the two-storey turret at the corner of the outer moat and the hidden loopholes built into its thick walls (Ozu City). It is designated separately from the turrets of the main enclosure (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It stands at the south corner of the third enclosure, away from the main enclosure (Ozu City). No official information on access to the interior was found.
Q&A
- When was the San-no-maru South Corner Turret built?
- It was rebuilt in 1766 (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Ozu City).
- Is it the oldest turret at Ozu Castle?
- Yes, it is the oldest surviving turret (Ozu City).
- What should I look for?
- The hidden loopholes of bamboo tubes plastered into its thick walls.
- Where is it?
- At the south corner of the outer moat of the third enclosure.
- When was the Ozu Castle San-no-maru South Corner Turret designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On June 18, 1957 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Ozu Castle San-no-maru South Corner Turret (大洲城三の丸南隅櫓) |
|---|---|
| Location | Ozu, Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1957/06/18 (Showa 32) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Two-storey turret, tiled roof |
| Owner | Not listed in the Agency database |
| Public Access | No official information on interior access |
References
- Ozu Castle San-no-maru South Corner Turret (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/3379
- Ozu Castle heritage leaflet (Ozu City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.ozu.ehime.jp/bunkazaitanbou/pdf/ozu_jp.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.19