Kosanji Goten Site
The Kosanji Goten once stood to the south of the Kuromon Gate. It is believed to have been constructed in the late sixteenth century as a private retreat for Ishikawa Kazumasa (d. 1592), the first lord of Matsumoto Castle. The building was named after Kazumasa, who also went by the name “Kosanji.”
The Kosanji Goten was a small building of only 30 rooms. It covered roughly 587 square meters, only a quarter the size of the Honmaru Goten. Based on a drawing from around 1712, an area in the center of the building was left open as a garden. There were living quarters on its south side and facilities such as the kitchen on the north side. The inclusion of a bath, a tearoom, and space for keeping hawks for hunting indicates that the Kosanji Goten was primarily intended as a private recreation space for the castle lord.
After the Honmaru Goten burned down in 1727, the Kosanji Goten was later renovated and expanded by Toda Mitsuo (1716–1757), second lord of the castle during the Toda family’s latter appointment.
Former Site of Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine
Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine was located in the second bailey. It is said that the shrine was originally built in the early sixteenth century to honor Shimadachi Sadanaga (d. 1517), a retainer of the Ogasawara family. Shimadachi is credited with constructing Fukashi Castle, a defensive fortification that was the precursor to Matsumoto Castle.
Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine is now located on the grounds of Matsumoto Jinja Shrine, just north of the castle.