Then & Now

History of Akizuki

Welcome to Akizuki, a historic samurai village. Akizuki is a castle village, set into the mountains about 7 km north of the center of Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The Akizuki clan ruled the area (1203 to 400 years) for 16 generations from the Kamakura period. The Kuroda clan followed this up until the 1800s during the Edo period. The village’s strategic importance as a samurai stronghold in Fukuoka means that it has played a number of important roles in Japanese history. Today it still hosts many different historic sites; including traditional houses, castle ruins, shrines and temples.

Early Akizuki, myths & legend

In Japan’s oldest historic texts – both the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki – a number of stories of Japan feature Akizuki and the surrounding areas. In 200 AD the 14th Emperor of Japan, Emperor Chūai, collapsed (possibly at the hands of a vengeful spirit), leaving his wife Empress Jingū in charge of the nation. It is believed she may also have been directed by the same spirit to invade the Korean peninsula.

History of Akizuki clan in the Middle Ages(1203-1600)

In 1203, the Kamakura Shogunate awarded the domain of Akizuki to its first feudal lord, Tanekatsu, who founded the Akizuki clan. For 400 years the clan ruled over successive generations but this came to an end in 1587. At this time the Kyoto warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi was on a mission to unify Japan and was moving through Kyushu to unite or combat his rivals. After a number of successes he pressed on to the Akizuki area.

The rise and fall of the Kuroda clan (1600-1868)

In 1600, Kuroda Nagamasa was awarded the domain of Chikuzen (which includes Fukuoka and Akizuki) from Tokugawa Ieyasu, who won the Battle of Sekigahara. Nagamasa formed a castle town called "Fukuoka" there and became the first lord of Fukuoka domain. In 1623, Nagagamasa's will let Tadayuki, the second feudal lord, give his younger brother Nagaoki 50,000 koku (koku is the area of land that can grow 150kg of rice) around Akizuki. This allowed for the construction of the castle and 400 years of Kuroda clan dominance.

Akizuki Rebellion: the final samurai battle in history (27th October-14th November 1876)

Shortly after the Meiji Restoration a number of skirmishes were organised with disgruntled samurai. Akizuki played host to the final samurai rebellion against the new Meiji government of these with Akizuki no Ran (The Akizuki Rebellion). Japan’s former samurai were unhappy with restrictions on carrying swords as well as the country’s new direction. Many felt that the changes were coming from Western influence. Responding to the loss of the substantial status and economic privileges of the samurai, Hyakuhachiro Imamura set up a band of warriors, known as the "Akizuki Party".

Akizuki today

Akizuki’s history is rich with clans, legends, myths, key events and rebellion. But this tradition continues today.

History of Akizuki

Early Akizuki, myths & legend

History of Akizuki clan in the Middle Ages(1203-1600)

The rise and fall of the Kuroda clan (1600-1868)

Akizuki Rebellion: the final samurai battle in history (27th October-14th November 1876)

Akizuki today

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