Japan Castle Atlas

Sata Tadamitsu

佐多忠光

Third son of the fourth Shimazu head, Shimazu Tadamune, and founder of the Sata family. He was granted Chiran in 1353, and Chiran Castle became the Sata family's base from then on.

Years: 生没年不詳

Historical record

Story

Records say that in 1353 he received the former district office lands of Chiran as a reward for his service in battle. According to Minamikyushu City, the grant came from Ashikaga Takauji.

Connected castles

Timber steps leading up to the main enclosure (honmaru), August 2017. Earthen slopes rise on both sides and there is no stone walling, typical of this earth-built mountain castle.

In-depth article

Minamikyushu, Kagoshima

Chiran Castle

知覧城

There is not a single stone wall. What separates the castle's baileys are cliffs of volcanic shirasu soil up to 40 meters high.

Next 100 Fine Castles No. 198CastleMountain

HikaruKinkakujiCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

first head of the Sata family, granted ChiranRecord source: article

Sources

1
知覧城跡(史跡詳細解説)Checked: 2026-10-04
2
【国指定史跡】知覧城跡Checked: 2026-10-04