Transition of Ownership and Administration of Hirosaki Park in Modern Times

Abstract

In 1894 the city of Hirosaki leased the site of Hirosaki Castle from the government and opened a public park. It was administered by the Tsugarus, descendants of the former feudal lords. This paper examines the ownership and administration of the park. In 1896 an army division was stationed near Hirosaki, and the Tsugarus petitioned, unsuccessfully, to exchange some land for the castle site. In 1898 part of the park again came under the control of the Ministry of War, and in 1902 the Tsugarus stopped their administrative role. They severed their ties with the castle site, judging it too difficult to acquire. The city of Hirosaki then administered the park, purchasing the land in 1906. One reason was to erect a bronze statue of a former feudal lord.