In 1575, Katsuie Shibata started building the castle to proclaim his own territory. But because in 1583 he lost the battle of Shizugatake, his castle was fired and most of it burned down.
After that, in 1600, Hideyasu Yuuki, Ieyasu's second son, was appointed as the governor of Fukui and started building the castle in 1601. Because in 1604 he was allowed to introduce himself as Matsudaira clan, he completed it over 6 years to make the castle suitable for Gokamon (higher rank feudal load related to the Shogun).
The castle which Katsuie Shibata built is Kitanosho Castle and the castle which Hideyasu Yuuki built is Fukui Castle. The relationship is that the latter was constructed at the vestige of the former.
Now, the existent thing is only the moat and there is the prefectural office within. And the moat is the stonework of Hideyasu Yuuki. An image of magnificent castle is understood only by stone walls, but we can't deny that it is the base of government since old times.
There are castles in many parts of Japan. But I was surprised at the great Fukui Castle of Gokemon. The outer moat is also great and if the castle existed, it would get to be a tourist attraction and a place which everyone knows. And because there are some cherry trees, it is a good place for enjoying the blossoms.
by TESHIMA Kazuki