1. The Rule of the Kiyohara Family
In the latter half of the Heian era, the power of the ancient Japanese state was in decline, and the northern part of the province of Dewa fell into the hands of the Kiyohara family, whose base was in Yokote Basin. In the Zenkunen War (1051-1062), the Kiyohara family allied with Minamoto-no-Yoriyoshi and other members of the Minamoto family to destroy the Abe family, whose base was in the northern part of the province of Mutsu. The Kiyohara family expanded its sphere of influence into the Tohoku region, and Kiyohara-no-Takenori was appointed as Commander-in-Chief for the Defense of the North. The Kiyohara family prospered until the Minamoto family destroyed them in the Gosannen War (1083-1087). The Kiyohara family built many forts in various parts of the area to consolidate their domination.
2. The Discovery of the Kokuzō-Ōdaitaki Site
The forts of the Kiyohara family had large enclosures that were surrounded by moats and turreted walls. In the prefecture of Akita, the Ōtoriiyama site and Kanazawa Fort are currently investigated as such forts. A ruined fort was discovered in the Kawabe-Toyonari district in the eastern part of the city of Akita. It was on the flat land of a hill, surrounded by fences, and had a hall for a Buddha statue. Pieces of simple earthenware were excavated. In a history book about the Zenkunen War, Mutsu-Waki (Sotries of Mutsu), the name of Kimiko Taketada, alias Madarame-Shiro, is mentioned as one of the generals of Kiyohara-no-Takenori’s army. Madarame-Shiro is considered to be a ruler in Akita. The rule of the Kiyohara family extended to Akita, and the Kokuzō-Ōdaitaki site was probably one of the family’s forts in the area. The Kokuzō-Ōdaitaki site may be important as it tells of the changes that took place in this area during the ancient times of the Middle Ages and the relationship between Akita Fort, as the outpost of the ancient Japanese state, and the Kiyohara family as the local power.
