Inuyama Castle

Inuyama Castle
犬山城
Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Tenshu of Inuyama Castle
Coordinates	35°23′18″N 136°56′21″E / 35.38833°N 136.93917°E / 35.38833; 136.93917Coordinates: 35°23′18″N 136°56′21″E / 35.38833°N 136.93917°E / 35.38833; 136.93917
Height	19 m (62 ft)
Site history
Built	1440
Built by	Oda Hirochika
Garrison information
Past commanders	Oda Nobuyasu
Occupants	Oda clan, Naruse clan

Inuyama Castle (犬山城, Inuyama-jō^?) is located in the city of Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The castle overlooks the Kiso River, which serves as the border between Aichi and Gifu prefectures. Inuyama Castle is one of only 12 surviving Japanese castles built before the Edo period.

Inuyama Castle is often claimed as the oldest castle in Japan. Its original construction was completed in 1440. According to Engishiki (a Heian Period-book), Haritsuna Shrine (a Shinto shrine) was moved to make way for the castle. That structure has been heavily augmented over time, and the current towers were completed in 1537, by Oda Nobuyasu, Oda Nobunaga's uncle. Though the antiquated architectural style of the watchtower atop the tenshu has in the past led many historians to believe this to be the oldest extant tenshu in Japan, that honor goes to Maruoka Castle, built in 1576. Construction on the main tenshu (donjon) at Inuyama began in 1601, and continued through 1620.

The castle was the center of power for the Naruse clan, retainers of the Matsudaira clan and rulers of the Inuyama Domain. Inuyama Castle was unique in Japan in that it was privately owned. The donjon (tenshu) has been designated as national treasure. However, it was seized by the Japanese government as part of the Meiji Restoration. In 1891, the castle was damaged in the Great Nōbi earthquake, and it was returned to the Naruse family in 1895, on the condition that they repair and maintain it. In 2004, ownership of the castle was turned over to a foundation set up by the Aichi Prefecture's Board of Education.