Japan Castle Atlas

Matsukura Shigemasa

松倉重政

A daimyo who ruled Shimabara. From 1618 he spent about seven years building Shimabara Castle and its town, and also carried out land surveys and public works. He suppressed Christianity, and the Shimabara Rebellion broke out under his son Katsuie.

Years: 1574–1630

Historical record

Story

According to the official site, he chose Shimabara, the hub of shipping on the Ariake Sea, for his new castle because the Arima family's old strongholds of Hara and Hinoe lay too far south to serve as a seat of government. The site also notes that the castle was excessive for a lord of 40,000 koku.

Connected castles

Shimabara Castle's tall stone walls, five-tiered keep and turrets across the moat, March 2014. The keep and turrets were rebuilt between 1960 and 1972.

In-depth article

Shimabara, Nagasaki

Shimabara Castle

島原城

A castle said to be far too grand for a minor lord held off the insurgents of the Shimabara Rebellion.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 91CastleFlatland

663highlandCC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons

built the castleRecord source: article

Shimabara Castle's tall stone walls, five-tiered keep and turrets across the moat, March 2014. The keep and turrets were rebuilt between 1960 and 1972.

In-depth article

Shimabara, Nagasaki

Shimabara Castle

島原城

A castle said to be far too grand for a minor lord held off the insurgents of the Shimabara Rebellion.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 91CastleFlatland

663highlandCC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: jokaku

Sources

1
島原城の歴史(島原城公式ホームページ)Checked: 2026-10-03
2
島原城について(島原城公式ホームページ)Checked: 2026-10-03
3
松倉重政(Wikidata Q8192211・生没年)Checked: 2026-10-03