Japan Castle Atlas

Sagara Nagayori

相良長頼

A retainer of the Kamakura shogunate and founder of the Sagara line. He came from Totomi (today's Shizuoka Prefecture) to Hitoyoshi in Higo, beginning the Sagara family's rule there that lasted until the Meiji Restoration.

Years: 1177–1254

Tradition

Story

Tradition says a stone bearing a crescent-moon pattern was unearthed when Nagayori worked on the castle, which is why Hitoyoshi Castle is also called the Crescent Moon Castle.

Connected castles

Hitoyoshi Castle ruins seen across the river, March 2018. White-walled turrets and walls stand on the riverside stone walls. The Kuma River to the north and the Mune River to the west served as natural moats.

In-depth article

Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto

Hitoyoshi Castle

人吉城

A castle held by a single family, the Sagara, from the Kamakura period all the way to the Meiji era.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 95CastleHilltop

Saigen JiroCC0Wikimedia Commons

laid the castle's foundations as the first Sagara lordRecord source: article

Hitoyoshi Castle ruins seen across the river, March 2018. White-walled turrets and walls stand on the riverside stone walls. The Kuma River to the north and the Mune River to the west served as natural moats.

In-depth article

Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto

Hitoyoshi Castle

人吉城

A castle held by a single family, the Sagara, from the Kamakura period all the way to the Meiji era.

Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 95CastleHilltop

Saigen JiroCC0Wikimedia Commons

BuiltRecord source: jokaku

Sources

1
人吉のおすすめ(人吉市)Checked: 2026-10-03
2
相良長頼(補助資料・Wikipedia日本語版)Checked: 2026-10-03