Database: Awaji Island

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Awaji is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, at its eastern-most point. It is a strategic location that previously served to control maritime traffic in the region. Awaji was once a province of the same name. However, nowadays the island is part of Hyōgo Prefecture.

According to mythology, the island came into being through the union of two deities, Izanagi and Izanami. In medieval times, the island came under the domain of several noble families. In the 13th century, the Sasaki, who were gokenin (the shōgun's liegemen), obtained the office of shugo, military governor of the province, on behalf of the Kamakura regime. With the Muromachi shogunate in the 14th and 15th centuries, it was the powerful Hosokawa who exercised their rule, but falling victim to the "low overcomes the high" phenomenon (gekokujō), they lost their position to their vassals, the Miyoshi, who were in turn defeated by Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi entrusted the island's rule to his vassals, but between 1581 and 1600, no fewer than five noble families succeeded one another as the island's rulers.

Awaji was also defended by a fortress, known as Sumoto Castle. This castle was first built in 1526 by local lords, the Ataga, who captained bands of sea warriors who were more or less pirates. In 1585, the castle was reinforced with large stone blocks and moats by Wakisaka Yasuharu (1524–1626), who succeeded in turning it into a real fortress.