2020佐世保文化マンス 

１．直谷城跡の位置と地形(Location and Terrain of Naoya Castle Ruin)

佐世保市吉井町の直谷城跡は、佐々川河口から吉井町・松浦市境まで15キロメートルに及ぶ「佐々川断層」の断層面に屹立する高さ３０メートルの砂岩の残丘に位置し、天険の要害の様を呈している。この一帯はこのような砂岩の断崖が多く、この地、「直谷」の地名の由来とされている。

The Naoya-jo Castle ruins in Yoshii-cho, Sasebo-city are located on a 30-meter-high sandstone residual hill rising from the fault plane of the Saza Fault,which stretches 15 kilometers from the mouth of the Saza-gawa River to the border between Yoshii-cho and Matsuura-city.Having many steep sandstone cliffs in this area makes Naoya-jo Castle a strong natural mountain fortress, and it has been said that the name of this region “Naoya” (straight valley) is originated from the terrain of this area.

旧石器時代から縄文時代にかけての遺跡として著名な「史跡　福井洞窟」の西南５００メートルに位置し、山の地形を巧みに利用した典型的な中世の山城跡である。

This Naoya-jo Castle is located 500 meters southwest of the historic site calle “Fukui Cave”, which is a famous ruin dating back from the Paleolithic period to the Jomon period. It is a typical “yamajiro-ato”, a former site of a castle built on a mountain during the Middle Age period, taking full advantage of the mountain’s terrain strategically,

標高１６７メートルの内裏山の山頂を中心として構築され、東の山裾を流れる福井川を天然の堀とし、砂岩の急崖を防壁とするなど、極めて堅固な城となっている。山頂を削平して、ほぼ東西に１５０メートル、南北に５０メートルの本丸（一の郭）を造っている。

It was built close to the top of Dairi-yama Mountain, 167 meters above sea level.The Fukui-gawa River running at the foot of a mountain in the east was a natural moat and had a steep sandstone cliff that was used as a protective wall,making it a very solid castle.The top of the mountain was flattened to form a “Honmaru / Ichi no Kaku” (the main compound / First enclosure), 150 meters in length from east to west and 50 meters from north to south.

直谷城の城主志佐氏は、松浦党の一員で、その一族は九州の西北部一帯を本拠として発展した土豪群で、蒙古が襲来した弘安の役（１２８１）に際しての活躍などで知られている。

The lord of Naoya-jo Castle, the Shisa clan, was a member of the Matsuura Party, and developed a powerful clan dominating the territory of the northwest part of Kyushu Island. The Shisa clan is known for playing an active part vigorously in the Konan War (Mongol invasion attempts in 1281).

一族は、海に面し農地が少ないという地理条件から「水軍」として発展し、明・朝鮮などと盛んに貿易をしたことから、「倭寇」とも呼ばれていた。

The clan developed into a ‘suigun’ (naval force) because of the geographical condition of facing the sea and of having few farmlands. They were also called'wako' (Japanese pirates) because they actively traded with the Ming Dynasty and Korea.

また、直谷城城主の志佐氏は、元来、明や朝鮮との交易に便利な松浦志佐に本拠を構えていたことから、戦国時代直谷城に移ってからも松浦の志佐とは密接な関わりがあった。

Also, the Shisa clan, the lord of Naoya-jo Castle, was originally based in Shisa,Matsuura, which was a convenient location for trading with the Ming Dynasty and Korea. Even after moving its headquarters to Naoya-jo Castle during the Warring States period, they had kept a close relationship with the Shisa region in Matsuura.

２．直谷城跡の特徴(Distinctive Features of Naoya Castle Ruin)

直谷城跡は、過去三次にわたるサンプル調査が行われた。

In the past, the three sample surveys were conducted at the Naoya-jo Castle ruins.

第二次調査の際に、一の郭跡に多数の柱穴が発見されたことから、建物は時代を経て何度か建て替えられたことが推測される。更に、発掘調査では約二千点の遺物が出土したが、その大半は中世の土器や陶 磁器で占められた。その他には、ガラス製品や、古銭、釘、硯、石鍋、るつぼなどが発見されている。

During the second sample survey, many holes of pillars were discovered at the ruin site of the first enclosure, so the buildings were assumingly rebuilt a few times throughout the ages.Furthermore, about 2,000 relics were discovered through the second archaeological excavation. Most of them, however, were the earthen vessels and ceramic wares of the Middle Age period. In addition, some glasswares, old coins, nails, inkstones and crucibles were also discovered.

第三次調査では、城主は二の郭に常時住んでいたのか、あるいは平時は麓で暮らす「根小屋式」山城であったのか、城主の館を特定するための発掘調査が行われたが、小規模な調査であったため、中世の遺構は見つかっていない。しかし、領主館が麓に存在した可能性はまだ残されている。

The main purpose of the third excavation survey was to discover the location of the castellan’s residence in order to determine whether he normally lived in the second enclosure or usually lived at the foot of the mountain and stayed in the fortress only during the war. Unfortunately, none of the remains of the Middle Age period was discovered due to the limitation of the small-scale survey, but there is still a possibility that the lord’s residence existed at the foot of the mountain.

見晴らしの利く場所で連絡路が見つかったが、これは敵を物見のためのものだと考えられる。調査の結果十三種類の遺構が発見されたが、いずれも城主館跡の場所の特定をすることはできなかった。

An access road was discovered in a place with a good view of the surrounding areas, but it is most likely for watch-keeping of the enemy. As a result of the third investigation, the total of 13 kinds of remnants was discovered, but none of the findings could determine the former site of the castellan’s residence.

この直谷城は松浦党一族の中でも優れたもので、現在でも遺構の保存状態が良いとされている。

This Naoya-jo Castle is one of the finest masterpieces of the Matsura clan, and the archeological remains are well-preserved even now.

城に至る二つの主要な通路があり、表口を追手道、裏口を搦手道という。追手道を登ると、深さ１メートルほどの竪堀が二箇所見られる。往時は２～３メートルの深さがあり、敵の侵入を防いでいた。

There are two major passages to the castle. The front entrance is called “ootedo” (chaser’s road) and the rear one is called “karametedo” (trap road). Climbing up the front entrance road, there are two ascending trenches or pathways cut into a naturally-occurring slope. The depth of the trench is one meter now, but it was 2 to 3 meters then to prevent the invasion of the enemy.

城には三カ所の井戸があり、籠城の際には城内にある一つを利用していた。最も重要なこの井戸を守るための仕掛けが、追手郭と呼ばれている。四重の土塁とその間が三重の空堀となっている。土塁は現在高さ１メートルほどしかないが、当時は高さが２メートルはあったと想像される。敵を迎え討つために多数備えられていたのが武者溜りで、これら繋ぐ兵士たちの連絡通路が、武者走りと呼ばれるものである。

There are three wells in the castle, but only one of them was used during a siege. The most important measures of the protection of this well were installed in “Ooteguruwa” (Entrance enclosure). It was made from quadruplet earthen walls and triple dry moats in between. The earthen walls are only one meter high now, but it has been assumed to be approximately 2 meters then. There are many areas called “Mushadamari” (Warrior mobilization area) in the fortress to counterattack the enemy. The connecting passages between Warrior mobilization areas are called “Mushabashiri” (Warrior passage).

防御の弱点とみられる箇所には、多数の自然石が集積された矢石置場となっており、崖上から石を投げ落として敵を防いでいた。

The throwing-stone storage sites are established in the areas where seem to be weak in defense. The warriors threw the stones down at the enemies from the cliffs to counterattack.

この直谷城には、興味深い場所もある。北端に位置する城ヶ鼻と呼ばれる高さ28メートルの断崖で、「姫落とし」の伝説がある。

There is a very interesting place in Naoya-jo Castle. It is a 28 meter high cliff, located in the north end. It’s called “Jogabana”, which means the nose of the castle, and it has a legend of “Himeotoshi” (Princess’ escape).

志佐物語によると、籠城中幼い姫だけは助けたいと考えた城主らが、この断崖から吊り降ろそうとし、落下して亡くなったとされ、その姫を祀る神社もある。

According to the Shisa story, the lord of the castle wanted to save at least the life of the little princess during the siege. They tried to hang the princess down from the cliff, but she fell to her death. Currently, there is a shrine which enshrines the princess.

しかし、この見事な断面の崖には秘密が隠されていた。崖の側面には、崖下から7メートルの高さまで通じるが、下からは登ることのできない逃げ道が、近年発見された。こうしたことから、姫落としの伝説は通説とは異なり、城から落ち延びる途中で命を落とした、あるいは討たれたのではないか、という見方もできる。

This sheer cliff, however, hides a secret. In recent years, an escape route was discovered. It goes all the way down to the spot of 7 meter high from the bottom of the cliff where no one can claim up from the ground. From these facts, it is possible to think that the actual legend of the escape of princess is different from what has been told. The princess had possibly lost her life or killed by being attacked while running away instead of simply fell down from the cliff.

３．直谷城の歴史(History of Naoya-jo Castle)

直谷城の起源には数々の伝説があり明らかではないが、戦国時代に直谷城の歴史が始まったとする説が最も有力である。その根拠として戦国時代に松浦の志佐氏が防御に有利な山城の直谷城に本拠を移したことが文献上明らかであることや、発掘調査の結果出土した遺物は戦国時代のものが最も多かったことなどが挙げられる。

There are many legends about the origin of Naoya-jo Castle, and the actual origin is not yet certain. The most dominant one is that the history of Naoya-jo Castle began during the Warring States period. It is known as a fact from the written documents that the Shisa clan in Matsuura moved their headquarters to the mountain fortress of Naoya-jo Castle during the Warring States period (1467-1568) because of the advantages of the defensive position. The fact that the excavations have revealed the largest number of relics from the Warring States period also supports its theory.

戦国時代には各地で争いが繰り広げられていたが、直谷城も三度の攻防戦の舞台となっている。そのなかで、永禄六年の争いは城主の志佐純量が領内に住んでいた平戸の松浦隆信の家臣を殺し、もともと純量に不満があった隆信がそのことを口実に直谷城を攻めたもので、直谷城の歴史上最も大きな戦いであった。この戦いに敗れ、志佐領は平戸松浦の属領となっている。

During the Warring States period, the countless battles were fought all over the nation, and Naoya-jo Castle was also the stages of the three battles. The biggest battle in the history of Naoya-jo Castle was fought against Matsura Takanobu, the lord of Hirado province, in the 6 th year of the Eiroku period (1563). Matsura Takanobu was displeased with Shisa Sumiharu, the lord of Naoya-jo Castle, from the begining. One of the retainers of Matsura Takanobu of Hirado lived in the territory of Shisa Sumiharu, and when he was killed by Sumiharu, Matsura Takanobu used the incident as an excuse to attack Naoya-jo Castle. As the result, Shisa Sumiharu lost the battle, and the territory of Shisa became a subject territory of the Matura clan of Hirado.

平戸の松浦隆信は、天下統一を目指す豊臣秀吉の九州征伐に参陣し、秀吉に臣従して隆信は「戦国大名」となった。

Matsuura Takanobu of Hirado took part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s conquest of Kyushu to unify the whole nation. He served Hideyoshi and became his feudal lord.

その後、隆信の子鎮信（しげのぶ）とともに秀吉の朝鮮侵略に参陣した直谷の城主志佐純隆は朝鮮で戦死し、志佐勢は平戸松浦の旗下に入った。

After that, Shisa Sumitaka, the lord of Naoya-jo Castle, joined Hideyoshi’s invasion of Korea along with Matsura Shigenobu, a child of Matsura Takanobu. Shisa Sumitaka lost his life in the battle in Korea, and the Shisa army went under the lordship of the Matsura clan of Hirado.

その後、徳川幕府成立後松浦鎮信は近世大名となったが、平戸藩の直谷城は幕府の「一国一城令」で割城（破却）された。

After the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Matsura Shigenobu became an early modern feudal lord, but Naoya-jo Castle of Hirado Province was abandoned by the “One Castle in One Province Order” issued by the Shogunate.

４．安徳天皇伝説(Legend of Emperor Antoku)

１１８５年の源氏と平氏による「壇ノ浦の戦い」では、数多くの武士達が亡くなった。その中に高倉天皇と平清盛の娘との間に生まれた幼い「安徳天皇」もいた。彼ら平氏一族は、ある時期「世の中は、平氏一族のためにある」と豪語するほど栄えていたが、安徳天皇はその平家一門の象徴的存在であった。

In 1185, the Battle of Dannoura between the Genji clan and the Heishi clan caused heavy casualties of the Samurai warriors. Among them was Emperor Antoku, a young female child born between Emperor Takakura and the daughter of Tairano Kiyomori, the lord of the Heishi clan. The Heishi clan was so prosperous one time that they even boasted and said, “This world exists for the Heishi clan”, and Emperor Antoku was the symbol of the Heishi clan.

最後の戦に敗れ、安徳天皇の祖母（清盛の妻）が孫の天皇との入水を決める。

Being defeated at the final battle, the grandmother of Emperor Antoku, the wife of Tairano Kiyomori, decided to commit suicide by jumping into the water with her granddaughter, the Emperor.

安徳天皇は、数え年８歳であったが、「平家物語」によると、「見た目がきれいで周囲も照り輝いていた。」という意味合いの詩が残されているという。祖母は、身を投げる前に舟の中を清掃し、宝物の剣を腰に差していたという。祖母と安徳天皇は、ほか幾人かの側近とともに入水した。

Emperor Antoku was almost 8 years old, and according to “The Tales of the Heike Clan”, she was described in a poem that she was ‘beautiful in appearance and even her surrounding was gloriously shining’. Before throwing herself into the water, the grandmother cleaned the inside of the boat, and placed the treasure sword around her waist. The grandmother and Emperor Antoku plunged into the water along with some other servants.

その後、安徳天皇は実は生きていたのだという伝説が近畿、四国、九州を中心に次々と生まれ、その子孫だと名乗る者もいたという。入水したのは、実は天皇に姿の似た女の子の替え玉だったのではないかと伝えられ、安徳天皇の墓と伝わるものも各地に多数存在し、真相は現在も謎のままである。

After that, mainly in Kinki, Shikoku, and Kyusyu areas, the legends that Emperor Antoku was actually alive arose one after another, and some people even claimed to be her descendants. It has been said that the girl who went into the water might have been a lookalike double of the emperor, and there are so many supposedly tombs of Emperor Antoku, but the truth remains a mystery.

直谷城は、地元では別名を「内裏城」と呼ぶ。天皇の住まうその内裏の地名のほかにも、安徳天皇にまつわる多くの地名や言い伝えが今に残り、その伝説が直谷城への興味を大いに抱かせる要素の一つともなっている。

The local people call Naoya-jo Castle in another name, “Dairi-jo”, which means the castle the Emperor lives. Along with the name of the place, “Dairi”, there are a lot of names of the places and the stories related to Emperor Antoku, and those legends becomes one of the elements of being attracted to have great interests in Naoya-jo Castle.

５．直谷城と関わりのある城など

陣内城（松浦市志佐町）Jinnouchi Castle (Shisa-cho, Matsuura-city)
陣内城は、もとは阿倍宗任（むねとう）の館跡される場所に延徳年間（１４８５－１４９２）志佐氏１１代純次によって改修築城された。戦国時代に志佐氏が本拠を直谷城に移した後は、その「支城」として直谷城を支えた。

Jinnouchi Castle was originally renovated and built by Shisa Sumitsugu, the 11 th lord of the Shisa clan, during the Entoku period (1485 ― 1492)　on the former site of Abe Muneto’s residence. After the Shisa clan moved its headquoters to Naoya-jo Castle during the Warring States period, Jinnouchi Castle supported Naoya-jo Castle as its “branch castle”.

加那城（かなじろ）（吉井町と松浦市の境界付近）Knajiro Castle (Near border area between Yoshii-cho and Matsuura-city)
直谷城と陣内城の中間に位置する場所に「加那城」の地名がある。そこは、標高３２１メートルの山頂で、双方の城を見下ろす位置にある。そうした地理的条件から「狼煙（のろし）」によって異変を知らせる「繋ぎ城」跡と考えられる。

There is an area named Kanajiro located in the middle of Naoya-jo Castle and Jinnouchi Castle. It is on the mountaintop, 321 meters above sea level, overlooking the both castles. Because of these geographical conditions, it is considered to be the former site of “Tsugi-shiro” (connecting castle), informing any unusual changes by the beacon fires.

世知原氏館（佐世保市世知原町）Sechibaru-shi-kan (Sechibaru-cho, Sasebo-city)
直谷城城主である志佐氏の重臣の一人に「世知原氏」がいた。現在の世知原町に、その居館跡がある。

The Sechibaru clan was one of the senior vassals of the Shisa clan, the lord of Naoya-jo Castle. The town of Sechibaru still has the former site of the Sechibaru clan residence.

原城（南島原市）Hara-jo Castle（Minamishimabara-city）
１２代直谷城主志佐純昌は、島原の原城城主有馬氏より妻を迎えており、純昌の死後その子で１３代城主となる純量は、母の実家である原城で幼少期を過ごした。

Shisa Sumimasa, the 12th lord of Naotani-jo Castle, married his wife from the Arima clan, the lord of Hara-jo Castle in Shimabara, and after umimasa's death, his son became the 13th lord of Naoya-jo castle. Sumiyoshi’s son spent his childhood in Hara-jo Castle, which is the home of his other’s parents.

平戸城（平戸市）Hirado-jo Castle (Hirado-city)
１４代城主志佐純意は、平戸の松浦隆信の息女を妻とし、妻の実家である平戸城の松浦氏と関係を深めた。後に直谷城は平戸松浦氏に吸収された。

Shisa Sumimoto, the 14th lord of Naoya-jo Castle, married a daughter of Matsura Takanobu of Hirado. Sumimoto deepened his relationship with the Matsura clan, the lord of Hirado-jo Castle, which is the parents’ home of his wife. Later, Naoya-jo Castle was absorbed to the Matsura clan of Hirado.

６．現状と課題

近年、エコツーリズムへの関心の高まりや、ボランティア団体の活動、さらにはインターネット効果などから、福井洞窟と並び直谷城跡を見学する人が増えており、地域の文化財活用の面で望ましい状況となっている。

In recent years, the number of people visiting Naoya-jo Castle along with Fukui Cave has been increasing because of the increased interests in cotourism, the activities of volunteer groups, and the effects of the Internet, bringing the preferable results in the situation for utilizing the local cultural properties.

その一方で、課題もある。

On the other hand, there are some issues and challenges.

一つ目に、姫落としの断崖や東櫓台跡東部の突端部など眺望に優れた場所は、断崖の上端にあり極めて危険な場所である。このため、防護柵設置などの安全確保策が必要となっている。

First, the places with a great view, such as Himeotoshi cliff and the eastern tip of Higashi-yaguradai site, are extremely dangerous places being at the top-end of the cliffs. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure safety by installing the protective fences.

二つ目に、山城直谷城最大の特徴である「断崖絶壁に囲まれた堅固な山城」のイメージが、崖下の杉の樹高が成長したことで、外観上生かされていない状態となっており、早急な改善が必要である。

Secondly, the overgrown cedar trees under the cliffs are hiding the attractive appearances of a steady mountain fortress surrounded by extremely steep and sheer cliffs. The most distinctive feature of Nagoya-jo castle is now visually interrupted by the cedar trees, and this problem needs to be attended immediately to improve the image of Naoya-jo Castle.

現在、地元のボランティア団体により、直谷城の案内板の設置や除草作業が定期的に行われている。

Presently, the local volunteer organizations are regularly cutting the weeds and putting the guide plates and signboards of Naoya-jo Castle.

さらに、「福井洞窟」と「直谷城」とをセットにした歴史体験ツアーも毎年実施されており、福井洞窟発掘調査の出土品400点を展示する福井洞窟ミュージアムも４月２８日にオープンしたばかりであることから、今後この地の見学者がさらに増加されることが予想され、課題への早急な対応が望まれる。

Furthermore, the historical experience tours combining Fukui Cave and Naoya-jo Castle are held every year, and recently the Fukui Cave Museum, displaying the 400 excavated articles, started its operation from April 28, 2021. Because the number of visitors to Fukui Cave is expected to increase even more from now on, the issues of the Naoya-jo Castle ruins are expected to be attended quickly.