(Sat, Aug 29) Special Lecture by Masato Tanabe, President of Hanshin Senior College, on Literature and History! Open Campus Held Simultaneously.

【President Tanabe's Literature and History Salon】

Hanshin Senior College President Masato Tanabe will hold his public lecture "President's Literature and History Salon" again this year, where he will discuss literature and history.

The first "President's Literature and History Salon" will feature President Tanabe's lecture "Castles of the Hanshin Area in the Era of Hideyoshi and Hidenaga ~Around the Hankyu Kobe Line~," and guest Rakugo storyteller Kazumi Asakado will present "The Battle of Shizugatake" from the Tale of Taikoki.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration will close once capacity is reached, so please apply early.

Date and Time: Saturday, August 29, Reiwa 8 (2026), 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Participation Fee: 1,000 yen (cash only, payable at reception on the day of the event)

Capacity: 150 people (first-come, first-served)

Venue: Hanshin Senior College, Classroom 401 (2-5 Toyo-cho, Takarazuka City)

Application Contact: Hanshin Senior College, Phone: 0797-26-8001

WEB registration is also available.

https://forms.gle/GXDhP5oKZeukWdvh6

〇 Lecture by President Masato Tanabe: "Castles of the Hanshin Area in the Era of Hideyoshi and Hidenaga ~Around the Hankyu Kobe Line~"

Castle ruins from the late Sengoku period are scattered along the Hankyu Railway lines. Takiyama Castle, north of Sannomiya Station, is a mountain castle associated with Hisahide Matsunaga and Nagayoshi Miyoshi. Takaya Castle, north of Ashiya Station, and Koshimizu Castle, east of Shukuwagawa Station, were built in Seisetsu by Masayori Kawaribayashi of Nishinomiya and were visited by Ashikaga Shoguns. Tsuka Castle, north of Tsukaguchi Station, was temporarily occupied by Nobunaga's son and Yoshikazu Takayama. Let's consider these fortresses located north of the railway lines.

〇 Rakugo: "The Battle of Shizugatake" from the Tale of Taikoki, by Rakugo storyteller Kazumi Asakado

The Battle of Shizugatake, fought in April of Tensho 11 (1583), was a clash between Hideyoshi Hashiba and Katsuie Shibata amidst the succession struggle following the death of Oda Nobunaga. Although the Kiyosu Conference decided that Mitsuoshi would be the successor, the conflict between Hideyoshi and Shibata deepened, leading to a decisive battle at Shizugatake in Omi.

In the battle, Hideyoshi's army, with the cooperation of figures like Toshiie Maeda, overwhelmed Shibata's forces, and Shibata retreated to Kitanosho Castle. Hideyoshi's victory solidified his control over the Oda family and was a major step towards unifying the country.

Furthermore, the "Seven Spears of Shizugatake" who distinguished themselves in this battle, including Kiyomasa Kato and Masanori Fukushima, were composed of warriors who later became famous, and they played a role in boosting the morale of Hideyoshi's army.

【Open Campus】

Hanshin Senior College's summer "Open Campus" will be held on Saturday, August 29.

On the day, you can freely tour the college's classrooms, rooftop practical training farm, and other facilities.

We will also be accepting inquiries for those considering enrollment at the college.

Admission is free and no registration is required, so please feel free to visit. We look forward to many participants.

Date and Time: Saturday, August 29, Reiwa 8 (2026), 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Venue: Hanshin Senior College (2-5 Toyo-cho, Takarazuka City)

Content: Free tour of facilities, college introduction, admission counseling

【Access to Hanshin Senior College】

・ 15-minute walk from Hankyu "Sakasegawa" Station

・ From Hankyu "Sakasegawa" Station East Exit Bus Stops 6 & 7, take Hankyu Bus to "Takarazuka City Hall Mae" and walk 5 minutes.

・ From Hankyu/JR "Takarazuka" Station, take Hanshin Bus to "Kohama" and walk 15 minutes.

Hanshin Senior College HP is here:

https://hsenior.jp/