[Explanation]
“Takeda Castle” which is wielded authority in the country of Tajima is the mountain castle of the total stone wall which was extensively remodeled in the Toyotomi Era. Originally it was founded by Mr. Otagaki, a vassal of a mountain family who had power in the San’in region.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

After that, enter the Sengoku period, cast by Oshida family warlords “Hashiba Hideyoshi” who was appointed officer of the Chugoku Regional Capture Strategy and falling castle. Since then, Hideyoshi ‘s younger brother’ Hidenaga’ becomes a governing authority in castle. After that, Takeda Castle was appointed castle owner “Akamatsu Hirohide” as the base of Tajima’s country, and promoted the refurbishment of the castle.

Takeda Castle is a typical mountain castle, surrounded by stone walls that are overwhelmed around the castle, and was built up in the castle of total stone wall. When the Sengoku Era also enters the latter period, Heaven is belonged to “Tokugawa Ieyasu” and the “Sekigahara fight” breaks out with the West Army led by “Ishida Mitsunari” who does not feel comfortable with the rise of Ieyasu.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

Waves of warfare also rushed to the San’in region, and Hirohide joined the castle attack in order to stop Miyabe of Tottori castle given to the West Army led by Ishida Mitsunari. Although Ieyasu reported the intention to surrendering the castle without losing the castle at Tottori castle, at the same time “Kamei Shigenori” who could not fulfill his duty also joined in the castle attack. “Shigenori” and “Hiroshi” that caused Ieyasu’s feelings to be bad, but in the long run, “Hirohide” is taken responsible and is ordered to commit suicide by belly cutting.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

Takeda castle which lost the castle owner was regarded as abandoned castle. Presently the pedestal of the castle tower and many stone walls are kept beautifully. Takeda Castle is certified as a national designated historic site, and it is also selected for Japan 100 Castle Castle 56th. In recent years it has become a bustling castle with many tourists, Takeda Castle surrounded by the sea of clouds and looks like a castle in the sky, so it is also called a castle in the sky or Machu Picchu in Japan.

Provide photos：吉田利栄

[Address,access]
Wadayama Town, Asago city Hyogo prefecture 669-5254

[Map]

[Explanation]
Hino castle (also known as Nakano castle) was a Japanese castle located in Hino in Shiga prefecture. The castle ruin is registered as a national historic site. Otowa castle, which was located near Hino castle, was actually the residence of Gamo-shi, but Hino castle is more widely known to be their residence.

Hino castle was started to be built in 1533 by Sadahide Gamo (grandfather of Ujisato Gamo). Gamo-shi used to serve Rokkaku-shi in Omi, but in 1568, the Rokkaku family’s Kannonji Castle was destroyed in a day when Nobunaga Oda’s Joraku troops attacked them.

At that time, Sadahide and Katahide barricaded themselves in Hino castle to prepare for the attack of the Oda troops. Nobunaga did not attack Hino castle by force, and he sent Tomomori Kanbe, who was a relative of the Gamo family, to persuade them. Sadahide and Katahide gave in and handed Katahide’s nephew, Tsuruchiyomaru (Gamo-shi), as a hostage, serving Nobunaga.

※Statue of Ujisato Gamo in Hino

Tsuruchiyomaru became Nobunaga’s favorite, and he became Eboshi Oya himself, and made his second daughter the wife of Tsuyuchiyomaru. On the other hand, Ujisato Gamo gained experience as a warrior under Nobunaga.

In 1582 when the incident of Honnoji temple occurred, Katahide and his son Ujisato Gamo welcomed Nobunaga Oda’s mistresses and family members to the castle, and was preparing for Akechi force to come. However, Hideyoshi Hashiba won against Mitsuhide Akechi at the battle of Yamazaki, the Gamo family turned their side to Hideyoshi.

In 1584, Gamo-shi left Hino castle for 120 thousand Koku. After that, the owner of Hino castle changed to Yoshimasa Tanaka, and then to Masaie Natsuka, and in 1600 it was destroyed after the battle of Sekigahara.

In 1620 Nagamasa Ichihashi built a Jinya at Hino castle ruins, and it continued to be the Jinya for Nishoji domain until the Meiji restoration.

[Address,access]
Nishi Oji, Hino-cho, Ganmo-gun, Shiga

[Map]

[Description]
Nijo-jo Castle is a nationally designated historic site in Yamashiro Province (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), and it is also a valuable cultural structure that has been selected as a’ World Cultural Heritage’, and the current Nijo-jo Castle was built in the Tokugawa period, and there are at least 5 buildings named Nijo-jo Castle in the past.

1 : Yoshiteru Nijo Nijo-jo Castle
2 : Yoshiaki Nijo Nijo-jo Castle
3 : Sanehito-shinno Nijo Gosho
4 : Nijo-jo Castle during the Toyotomi family
5 : Nijo-jo Castle during the Tokugawa family

Nijo-jo Castle, which was erected for the Ashikaga Shogun family and the Imperial Prince, was called’ Nijo Gosho,’ and the Nijo-jo Castle in the Tokugawa period started construction in Keichou Era 6th year (1601) as a lodging house for Kyoto, and since then, the residence of the Tokugawa family was used as a lodging room for the residence of the Tokugawa family, and when the Shogun was absent, the Nijo-jo Castle keeper was placed in this position, and the roju (a member of shogun’s council of elders) and hatamoto (direct retainers of the Shogun) were appointed to this post in the absence of Shogun.

At the end of the Edo period, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, who thought that the establishment of the government was difficult due to pressure from foreign countries (diplomatic relations and diplomatic relations) and the rise of the domestic male domain, carried out “Taisei Hokan” in Nijo-jo Castle, and it was a historical incident in which Yoshinobu Tokugawa returned to the “Imperial Court” in the end of the Edo period. Tokugawa Yoshinobi thought about taking over the use of the Tokugawa family by force through the Saigo, Chosun and Tosa clan, consisting of Satsuma, Choshu and Tosa clan, but Tokugawa family holding a vast territory and a large military force never existed as it was

After all, the war broke out and the Battle of Toba-Fushimi broke out, and the Tokugawa family was defeated in many places in the West Province with many new modern weapons, and Yoshinobu was finally ordered the Emperor Government system is laid down, the “Meiji Government” was born. On the other hand, Nijo Castle has been burnt down due to numerous fires, and Ninomaru Godo remains, making it a tourist attraction in Kyoto. Nijo-jo Castle is also selected as the 53rd famous castle of Japan’s 100 famous castles.

[Address, access]
541 Nijo Jocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, 604 – 8301

[Map]

[Description]
Osaka-jo Castle is the first residence in Saigoku that was built when the person who knows knowledge of the castle became the ruler of the country, and Nobunaga Oda used to be the head temple of Hongan-ji Temple, where Nobunaga Oda had fought for many years, but Nobunaga surrendered it after a long siege of the castle, and brought it to surrender.

After that, Nobunaga’s favorite retainer, Ikeda Tsuneoki, was assigned to the land of Osaka. When Nobunaga was killed in “Honnoji Incident” by Mitsuhide Akechi in Tenshou 10th year (1582), his vassal Mitsuhide, he negotiated with the Mori clan in order to avenge the enemy, and Hideyoshi Hashiba, who had accomplished a separation of Chinese dairi, defeated Akechi army in “Yamazaki Battle (Kyoto)”.

In this way, in the Oda family, “Katsuie Shibata” and “Hashiba Hideyoshi” became a state of unity over the entire country, and “the Battle of Shizugatake” broke out between Katsuie Shibata, the third son of Nobunaga, “Kanbe Nobutaka”, and the legitimate grandson of Nobunaga, and Hideyoshi Hashiba who is responsible for “The third priest (later Oda Hidenobu)”.

The battle was fought by Toshiie Maeda, who belonged to the Shibata army, and the surrender of Katsuie’s nephew, Shibata Katsutoyo, who had been entrusted with Nagahama Castle, and Hideyoshi decided to build his own castle in, Ishiyama Hongwan-ji Temple. In Tenshou Era 11th year (1583), and it started construction, and the castle was built in Tenshou 13th year (1585), and the scale of Tensho (castle tower) was 5-ply, 8-stories.

Otomo Sorin, who came to Osaka from Kyushu to ask for support from Kyushu, looked at the castle, and he said that he called’ Muzumumu no Mumu’ (literally, “three hundred Kings”), but he continued to attack the “Ieyasu Tokugawa” and the “Nagasokabe Motochika” in the Tokai region, the “Shimazu Yoshihisa” in Kyushu, and the Hojo clan in the Kanto region.

Hideyoshi, who had unified the whole country with his real name, later started dispatching troops to Korea, leaving his young child, Hideyori, but Ieyasu Tokugawa, who had begun to gain power after the death of Hideyoshi, began to prepare for the whole world, and after the Siege of Osaka Fuyu (winter siege), the Toyotomi family became a reconstructed tenshu (a guardian of the Toyotomi family), modeled after the Toyotomi family, because the Toyotomi family became a priest of the Toyotomi family during the Toyotomi. Natsunojin.

Osaka Castle has been designated as a special historic site, and it has been selected as the 54th famous castle, of Japan’s one hundredth (100) famous castles.

[Address,access]
1-1 Osaka-jo Castle, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 540 – 0002

[Map]

[Description]
Akō Castle served as a branch domain of the Ikeda family in Himeji Domain for generations. In the 2nd year of Shouhou Era (1645), during the lord of Ako Domain, “Teruoki Ikeda” time, renovations will be carried out due to feudal lord madness. During the Edo period, a succession of disembowelment and disinheritance were successively imposed on the lord of the domain due to feudal lord’s madness and insanity. After that, “Asano family” entered the ruins of the Ikeda family. Ako Asano family is a branch of the Asano family of the Hiroshima Domain.

*Akō Castle Otemon (Front Castle Gate)

Incidentally, the stone height is estimated to be 53,000 koku. In Genroku 14th year, the third family head of the Ako Domain, Naganori Asano, was known as “Kira Kozuke no suke” in the corridor of the Edo-jo Castle pine. As a result of this, the Asano family was deprived of power, and 47 retainers of the Ako clan will subsequently decide to “Kill residence of Kira” (Forty-Seven Ronin) n order to avenge the lord’s death.

Kira Kozuke no Suke was killed by the Ako Roshi, and his head was exposed to the front of the grave of his lord, Asano no Takumi no kami (the head of the Asano clan) (Sengakuji), followed by the Ako clan and the Mori family after the dismissal of the Asano family, and the Mori family welcomed the Meiji Restoration during its rule. The renovation of Akō Castle was carried out at the time of the first generation head “Naganao” of the Asano family, the Castle Tower stand was built, but the Castle Tower was not built due to not getting permission from the Shogunate.

At present, the main citadel Otemon and major corner yagura were reconstructed, and Honmaru Park was built at the site of the main citadel, and Akō Castle is selected as the 60th famous castle of Japan’s one hundredth (100) famous Castles.

*The site of Kuranosuke Oishi, chief retainer of Asano family

■ The Sengakuji is located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, where 47 people are sleeping, including Asano Takumi no kami (head chamberlain of Asano).
http://www.jp-history.info/picture/585.html

■ Where is the site of Kirako Ueno Suke no Eki (the residence of Kira Kozuke Suke) at the time of revenge?
http://www.jp-history.info/historic-sites-and-statue/9232.html

■ What is the castle or territory of Kira Kozuke no Suke (Assistant Governor of Kozuke Province), or the territory and the height of stone?
http://www.jp-history.info/blog/1882.html

[Address,access]
Former castle in Kamikariya, Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture

[Map]

[Description]
Sanda Castle is a flatland castle located near Tenjin, Yashiki Town, Sanda City, Hyogo Province.
It is said that the castle was built by Akamatsu Ujinori during the South and North Dynasties.

After that, Mr. Arima ruled Arima Gun, and [Arima Yoshisuke] moved the base to here. When entering Sengoku Period, the castle owner [Arima Kunihide] was the vassal of Oda Nobunaga.

However, Tensho 3 year (1575), he was suspected so he killed himself. Mr. Arima was destroyed. After that, Mr. Araki became the castle owner.

Tensho 6 year (1578), Araki Murashige was against Oda Nobunaga, and Arioka Castle fell down, Sanda Castle also fell down by Mr. Oda’s vassal group. After that, Mr. Ikeda, Miyoshi Nobuyoshi became the castle owner. Tensho 10 year (1582), [Yamazaki Kataie] was awarded 22000 stones. when Kataie died, his son [Yamazaki Iemori] was the castle owner and he renovated Sanda Castle.
Keicho 5 year (1600), when the Battle of Sekigahara occurred, [Yamazaki Iemori] belong to the West army, and he set Ougo Castle as the base. [Arima Shigenori] entered the castle at 20000 stones.

Mr. Arima got 210000 stones in Genwa 6 year (1620) and was transferred. Kanei 3 year (1626), [Matsudaira Shigenao] was awarded from Kaminoyama Castle and then in Kanei 10 year (1633) he was transferred to Ryuou Castle.

The next castle of of Sanda Castle was the famous Mr. Kuki who was awarded at 36000 stones from [Toba Castle]. Since then it was ruled by Mr. Kuki for 260 years until Meiji Restoration. Moats, foundation buildings, well, stones and others are left on the current castle ruins.

[Address,access]
〒669-1532 1-20 Yashiki Town, Sanda City, Hyogo Province

[Map]

[Explanation]
Akutagawa is a mountain castle in the Sengoku period that was in Takatsuki city, Osaka Prefecture. Before Oda Nobunaga adopted “Ashikaga Yoshiaki” and proceeded toward capital, Miyoshi Nagayoshi, who was able to take over in Kinai, was the base.

In the era of Eishou, Muromachi Shogunate’s administration, Nose under Hosokawa Takakuni is supposed to start with a fort built as a preparation for the West and Northern Samurai, but it is said that the full-fledged mountain became castle when Miyoshi Nagayoshi, who attacked from Awa in the 22nd year of Tenmon (1553), entered with the administration Hosokawa Harumoto.

It was said that it was a magnificent construction that skillfully utilizes the terrain which was used skillfully, built the soil bridge, the foundation and the stone wall everywhere, the main on the summit, the major gate on the front. Later, Choukei expelled Hosokawa Harumoto and dominated the Kinai area and made this place base until Eiroku 3rd year (1560) when he moved to Iimori Castle in Kawachi. After Choukei, the legitimate “Miyoshi Yoshioki” will be the castle owner, but will die in Eiroku 6th year (1563). Then Choukei will die as well as after Yoshioki.

Afterwards, “Miyoshi Nagareba” one of the three Miyoshi stayed as a castle owner of Akutagawa mountain castle. However, by Oda Nobunaga’s settlement in progress campaign of Eiroku 11th year (1568), caused the Miyoshi family to be expelled, the next year when Wada Koremasa was appointed as a castle owner, Koremasa moved to Takatsuki Castle, and Akutagawa mountain castle was regarded as an abandoned castle.

Currently there are only traces of stonewall and Inner citadel traces left, the summary of which can only be confirmed in the topography.

[Address,access]
Futakatsuki city field Osaka

[Map]

[Explanation]
Miki castle is flatland mountain Castle which was in Hikarumaru town, Miki city, Hyogo Prefecture.
It has been known for about two years since the Tensho 6th year (1578), that it received attacks by Hideyoshi Hashiba from the Oda direction. This is said to be Miki Battle (Miki’s cold kill). During this Miki battle, the castles of various parts of the East Harima including neighboring Kamikichi castle, Shikata castle, Ougo castle, Takasago castle, Hashitani castle followed Beshho.

It was “Bessho Noriharu” that built a castle in this place, and the timing of the castle was unknown. Noriharu gave a number of military exploits, eight troops were given to “Akamatsu Masanori” of Guardian Harima, built the Miki castle, Bessho was supposed to be the second most powerful after Uragami among the vice president of Akamatsu.

The Era got replaced with Bessho Yasuji’s Era, in Eiroku 11th year (1568), Oda Nobunaga strikes the captain “Miyoshi three-man group” who had been through Yoshimi until now. The next Eiroku Era 12th year (1569), Bassho Yasuji attacked West Harima as Nobunaga Oda Army, but Urakami Munekage became Miyoshi’s side and came to Miki castle.

In Eiroku Era 13th year (1570), when the head of the family changes to Bassho Nagaharu, destroying Masuda of Kita Harima, he strengthened his position as Sengoku Daimyo. In March, Tensho 6th year (1578), Yakushita Nagaharu told Nobunaga to serve as the vanguard of Mouri, he suddenly caught up at Miki Castle and turned the rebels to Hashiba Hideyoshi.

Although it is considered to be caused by the conflict of opinions at the Kakogawa conference of Mori attack, there is also the theory that Mori Terumoto and Yoshimi passed through before that. Initially the Oda Army got into great confusion, but reduced the Mori Front in the West and put the emphasis on the capture of Miki Castle. By making groups of Bessho Nagaharu’s troops, they attacked each castle that have assembled in the opposite to them, and in the next Tensho 7th year (1579) at the end of May, it completely sieged Miki castle and entered the tactics to cut off the provisions.

The Hideyoshi army attacked the provisions for a long time, and on January 15, the capitulation was recommended and “Bessho Nagaharu” also suffered from it accordingly. After that, Hashiba Hideyoshi made a castle at Himeji Castle, and Miki castle entered the chamberlain era. Tensho 13 (1585) August “Nakagawa Hidemasa” enters the castle, but when deceased by “role of Korea”, brother Nakagawa Hideshige succeeds his traces. After that it will be the direct jurisdiction of Toyotomi and will place a castle number.

※Statue of Bessho Nagaharu built in Miki Castle

At this time, the Sugihara family was the Toyooka castle keeper, but document which recorded Miki Castle was left. Keicho 5th year (1600 year), as a result of the Sekigahara battle, when Terumasa Ikeda becomes the daimyo of 520,000 Jewels and becomes the Himeji castle’s owner, Miki castle became one of his castles. And Tadatsugu Iki, a chief vassal of the Ikeda family, became the fief of the 30,000 Jewels and became the castle lord of Miki castle. After that, “Iki Tadashige” will succeed, but Miki castle was destroyed by the first National Order of the Genwa first year (1615) ordinance.

Currently, only around inner citadel remains as Uenomaru Park. Inside the park there is a monument of the resignation of Nagaharu, “Kankan well” which is said to had secret passage to the outside of the castle, and a statue of Nagaharu which was established in recent years.

[Address,access]
5-45 Kamonomaru town Miki city, Hyogo Prefecture

[Map]

[Description]
Ukon Takayam was a samurai in Sangoku era who became daimyo. He is known for his Christianity practice. His baptismal name was “Juste” meaning “justice” in Portuguese. Ukon was also into Sado (Japanese tea ceremony). He had another name as a Sado expert, Nambo, and he was one of top seven pupils of Sen no Rikyu (Rikyu Shichitetsu).

Takayama clan was a local wealthy family from Takayamasho Mishima-gun, Settsu (today’s Takayama Toyono-cho Toyono-gun, Osaka). Ukon was born in 1552 to Tomoteru as his first child. In those days, Ikeda clan and Itami clan had been consolidated in Settsu where Takayama clan owned some lands.

Nobunaga Oda led Yoshiaki Ashikaga to become his puppet shogun in 1568, and nominated Koremasa Wada, Yoshiaki Ashikaga’s minister, to rule Takatsuki Castle. He also appointed two other generals, Chikaoki Itami and Katsumasa Ikeda, to defend Settsu.

Soon after Takayama clan started to serve for the chief Koremasa Wada at Takatsuki Castle, Koremasa Wada was murdered by Kiyohide Nakagawa and Murashige Araki from Ikeda clan in 1575. Murashige ended up murdering his master Ikeda clan as well.

Murashige flattered Nobunaga Oda to get a permission to conquer Settsu, and put down Itami clan who supported Nobunaga’s opponent. After the death of Koremasa at Takatsuki Castle, his son, Korenaga took over the title at the age of seventeen with support from uncle, Koremasu Wada.

Korenaga Wada murdered his uncle, Koremasu with no obvious reasons. Misled by other ministers who didn’t get along with Takayama clan, He was also planning to murder Tomoteru and Ukon Takayama. As the Takayama’s discussed their concerns, Murashige Araki promised to support them.

On March, 1573, Korenaga and anti-Takayama ministers intended to murder the Takayama’s. Tomoteru and Ukon successfully counter-attacked their opponents and sent Korenaga away from the castle.

Since Murashige Araki was already given the permission to rule Settsu, the Takayama’s worked for Murashige at Takatsuki Castle. Soon after Tomoteru became the head of Takatsuki Castle, Takatsuki clan worked on renovation for the castle by applying the latest design on stone fences and walls.

When Tomoteru turned fifty, Ukon succeeded to Takatsuki Castle and became the chief of the clan.

[Address,access]
Jonai-cho Takatsuki-shi, Osaka 569-0075

[Map]

[Description]
Ibaraki Castle used to be ruled by Shigetomo Ibaraki, but died when war broke between Koremasa Wada and Murashige Araki・Kiyohide Nakagawa in Settsu.
After Murashige Araki reigned Settsu, Kiyohide Nakagawa was appointed to rule the castle.

Battle for successor between former Oda ministers started when Hideyoshi Hashiba (Hideyoshi Toyotomi) pretty much took over the nation. When war broke between Katsuie Shibata and Hideyoshi, Kiyohide died in battle of Shizugatake.

Hidemasa took over Nakagawa clan, and they were granted Miki Castle in Satsuma, which was worth 65,000 goku, for his efforts.
Ibaraki Castle was abandoned after Ieyasu Tokugawa perished Toyotomi clan. Ibaraki Castle today aren’t much to be seen.

[Address,access]
Katagiri-cho, Ibakaki-shi, Osaka 567-0819

[Map]

[Description]
Sasayama Castle does not have a deep history like others; it was built after battle of Sekigahara and battle of Osaka – summer ended. Iesasu Tokugawa moved Yasuige Matsudaira from Hitachi Kasama Castle to Tanba Yakami Castle to protect Saigoku, and ordered him to build a new castle in Sasayama basin.

With Takatora Todo’s design, more than 20 clans were given direct orders from the central government and successfully completed construction in six months.

This area was ruled by Matsui-Matsudaira clan, Fujii-Matsudaira clan, Katanohara-Matsudaira clan, and Aoyama clan till the Meiji Restoration. Since it was relatively new castle, it was demolished after Meiji era without any major battles.

[Address,access]
2-3 Kita Shinmachi, Sasayama-shi, Hyogo 669-2332

[Map]

[Description]
Shigizan Castle was a mountain castle in Mount Shigi, along with Mount Ikoma. It used to belong to Nagamasa Kizawa, but after his death in 1559, Hidehide Matsunaga repaired and expanded.

Hisahide Matsunaga used to be the secretary for Nagayoshi Miyoshi, and slowly took Yamato under control. Afterwards, he built Tamonyama Castle to protect southern part of Yamato.

In 1568, Shigizan Castle fell under the hands of Junkei Tsutsui and Mioshi’s trio. But Nobunaga let Hisahide was able to keep the castle by serving Nobunaga, who was making his way towards Kyoto at the time.

Hisahide Matsunaga controlled Yamato for a while, but growing tired of serving Nobunaga Oda, he revolted twice. The first time led to giving up Tamonyama Castle, and the second time led to the fall of Shigizan Castle.

Shingizan Castle become abandoned after the fall.

[Address,access]
1308 Shigizan, Heguri-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara, 636-0923

[Map]

[Description]
Tamonyama Castle a flat mountain castle, located in Horen-cho, Nara. It was built by Hisahide Matsunaga, one of Nagayoshi Miyoshi’s minister.

Hisahide used Tamonyama Castle as a base in Yamato and fought around the area whenever he received orders from Nobunaga. Hisahide was known for building castles; his futuristic ideas included tamon-yagura. When he revolted against Nobunaga, he was forgiven by giving up Tamonyama Castle to Nobunaga.

Yoshimitsu Akechi and Katsuie Shibata took over Tamonyama Castle and when rumor started spreading around that Shingen Takeda was heading for Kyoto, Hisahide removed himself from battle and barricaded himself in Shigisan Castle.
In the end, Shingen Takeda was killed in battle and without any reinforcements. Hisahide was killed as well from Nobunaga force. Ironically, Hisahide’s successor was Jynkei Tsutsui, his arch enemy.

Junkei destroyed Tamonyama Castle and used the remnants to expand his own castle, Tsutsui Castle. There aren’t much left of Tamonyama Castle today.

[Address,access]
1416-1 Hoen-cho, Nara-shi, Nara, 630-8113

[Map]

[Description]
Saika Castle was located in Wakaura Wakayama-shi, Wakayama. It was also known as Myokensan Castle. It was originally a palace built by Sadayu Suzuki (or Shigeoki Saika), a father of Magoichi Saika, on a tableland near the peak of Myoken Mountain.

Saika’s firearm troops produced 70,000 Goku and they even had a castle town around Saika Castle. The firearm troops were a joined force of powerful troops in Saika region, and Magoichi (Shigehide) was the leader of those troops.

When Nobunaga attacked Kennyo Honganji, Magoichi brought his troops to Osaka Honganji Temple to stand up to Nobunaga. The struggled at Honganji Temple made Nobunaga prioritize defeating Saika troops.

Magoichi Saika, the chief of the Suzuki clan at that time, successfully defeated the Oda force by gunning down their enemies while they were confused with pots in Kino River. With continuous attack from the Oda force, however, Saika troops surrendered at the end.

Rumor has it that the Saika clan flattered Nobunaga Oda after the fall of Saika Castle. After they lost their master, Nobunaga at Honnoji Incedent, the Saika clan got around Hideyoshi Toyotomi who avenged on Nobunaga and stayed in Osaka. While Hideyoshi was on his mission of conquering Japan, Saika troops marched into Settsu-izumi in a unison with Nobukatsu Oda, the second son of Nobunaga, and Ieyasu Tokugawa.

It was only Magoichi Saika who supported the Toyotomi force. Magoichi played a role of mediator to suggest Saika tropps a summons to surrender under the attack on the Saika’s main castle, Ota Castle (the siege of Kyushu).

There is no certain information on Magoichi after the siege.
Currently, Josekiyama Park (Tsuya Park) is maintained at the castle ruin while the remenant of Saika Castle is nowhere to be seen.

[Address,access]
3-1-31 Wakauranaka Wakayama-shi, Wakayama 641-0025

[Map]

[Description]
Tsutsui Castle was located in Tsutsui-cho Yamatokoriyama-shi, Nara. Tsutsui clan had been in charge of supervising Buddhist monk warriors at Kofuku Temple. Junso Tsutsui, a father of Junkei, increased his power and controlled Yamato.

Junsho passed away in his early age, so his first son, Junkei became the head of Tsutsui clan at his age of two. Around the same time, Nagayoshi Miyoshi had spreaded his control over Awa, Sanuki, and Kinki regions. Hisahide Matsunaga, minister for Nagayoshi Miyoshi, invaded Yamato and took Tsutsui Castle.

※from wikipedia

Junkei fled to his servant’s castle. As Junkei heard that Hisahide Matsunaga ended serving for the Miyoshi clan, Junkei created a joint force with Nagayasu Miyoshi, Soi Miyoshi, and Tomomichi Iwanari. With the support from the Miyoshi clan, Junkei defeated Hisahide and reclaimed Tsutsui Castle.

※多門山城

※信貴山城

In 1568, about the same time when Junkei took back Tsutsui Castle, Nobunaga Oda, who had ruled Owari and Mino, entered Kyoto by luring Yoshiaki Ashikaga to bcome a Shogun, or commodore in chief, of the Muromachi government. Hisahide who had a keen observation skill, shortly started working for Nobunaga and got permission to invade Yamato.

Tamonyama Castle

When Shingen Takeda from Kai planned his siege to Kyoto, Hisahide betrayed Nobunaga and followed Shingen. However, Shingen passed away from an illness during the battle, and Hisahide begged Nobunaga for forgiveness by handing over Tamon Castle.

Junkei had been working on his plan to get back Tsutsui Castle and succeeded to win it back once again. At this time, Junkei finally decided to serve for Nobunaga.

※from wikipedia

Yamato was at peace for a while until Hisahide turn against Nobunaga in 1577. Hisahide supported Kenshin Uesugi’s plan to invade Kyoto. Junkei counter-attacked Shigizan Castle as a member of the front-line troops and conquered the castle.

Yamato then became under Junkei’s ruling entirely. Nobunaga authorized Junkei to build a new castle for better security (Yamatokoriyama Castle), but informed to abandon all of the other castles in Yamato. By obeying this order, Junkei abandoned Tsutsui Castle.

[Address,access]
Tsutsui-cho Yamatokoriyama-shi, Nara 639-1123

[Map]

[Description]
Zeze Castle was at Biwa Lake-side in Honmaru-cho Otsu-shi, Shiga. It was built by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1600 as a part of infrastructure development. Ieyasu was about to conquer Japan at the Battle of Sekigahara.

Zeze Castle was located at a key spot on Tokaido Road to increase security for smoother transportation while a nearby castle, Otsu Castle, was abandoned. Kazuaki Toda contributed 30,000 Goku and became the first chief of the castle.

After Ujikane Toda, a son of Kazuaki, was relocated to Amagasaki, Harima, Yasutoshi Honda took over the castle. After that, the chief of Zeze castle kept on changing instead of being inherited within one clan. Toshitsugu Honda from Nishio became the last chief Zeze Castle with 70,000 Goku, and his possession lasted until Meiji Restoration.

The Honmaru ruin is now maintained as Zeze Castle Ruin Park with a few bits of stone fences.

[Address,access]
7 Honmaru-cho Otsu-shi, Saga

[Map]

[Description]
Seta Castle was located at Seta River-side in Otsu-shi, Shiga. It is one of the top 3 castles on Biwa Lake (Sakamoto Castle and Otsu Castle are the other two).

During Azuchi-Momoyama period, Kagetaka Yamaoka was in charge of this castle which played an important role to connect Kyoto and Tokaido Road. In June of 1582, Mitsuhide Akechi defeated his master, Nobunaga Oda in Kyoto (Honno-ji Incident). Kagetaka burned down Seta no Karahashi (Seta Bridge on Biwa Lake) to prevent Mitsuhide from invading Omi.

Before he passed away, Nobunaga had trusted Kagetaka since Kagetaka had supported him for long to conquer Ise, Saika and Iga. Due to this close relationship between them, Nobunaga always stayed at Seta Castle on the way to visit Kyoto.

After Kagetaka burned down Seta Bridge, he went to Koka and abandoned Seta Castle.

[Address,access]
2-13 Seta Otsu-shi, Shiga

[Map]

[Description]
Otsu Castle was located on the Biwa lakeside, Hamaotsu Otsu-shi, Shiga.

Mitsuhide Akechi betrayed and killed his master, Nobunaga Oda at Honno-ji Incident; however, Mitsuhide was avenged by Hideyoshi Hashiba who later became the ruler of Japan. While Hideyoshi destroyed Sakamoto Castle, Mitsuhide’s main castle, he built Otsu Castle and told Nagamasa Asano to rule the castle. From that time on, Nagamori Masuda and Naoyori Shinjo had overseen the castle before Takatsugu Kyogoku was given title for the castle with 60,000 Goku in 1595. Takatsugu supported the Tokugawa force at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and defended against a siege to attack the West force from Osaka.

※The Otsu Castle Honmaru ruin

Against the Kyogoku force of 3,000 in number at Otsu Castle, the West force of 15,000 led by Motoyasu Mori and Muneshige Tachibana surrounded the castle. Otsu Castle finally fell after standing seven days of long siege. After his capitulation, Takatsugu went up on Koya Mountain and became a Buddhist monk.

Few days before Takatsugu’s surrender, Ieyasu Tokugawa defeated the West force led by Mitsunari Ishida at the Battle of Sekigahara. Ieyasu awarded Takatsugu with Obama Castle in Wakasa with 82,000 Goku to honor Takatsugu for not allowing the West force at Otsu Castle to join the Battle of Sekigahara.

※The stone fence ruin

As Takatsugu moved into Obama Castle, Ieyasu abandoned Otsu Castle and built Zeze Castle nearby as a key location for Tokaido Road.

There is not much parts of Otsu Castle remaining to this day.

[Address,access]
5-2-29 Hamaotsu Otsu-shi, Shiga 520-0047

[Map]

[Description]
Sakamoto castle used to stand in a shore of Biwa Lake in current Sakamoto, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
In September of the 2nd year of the Genki (1571), Oda Nobunaga burned Hieizan. He gave Shiga District to Akechi Mitsuhide of Usayama Castle and had him built Sakamoto Castle.

Then Mitsuhide received 50000 kokus estate in Shiga District and became the head of Sakamoto Castle. Mitsuhide defeated many lords in South Omi and increased his power.

On the other hand, Nobunaga drove Azai Nagamasa and his son Hisamasa into suicides. He gave half of North Omi Province and had him built a castle on the opposite shore of Sakamoto Castle.
Hideyoshi renamed the shore Nagahama with a permission of Nobunaga and became the head of Nagahama Castle.

After that, Mitsuhide was ordered to attack Tamba. He used Kameyama Castle as the main base to attack Yakami Castle of Hatano Hideharu and Kuroi Castle of Akai Naoyoshi.
He made Yakami Castle surrender and defeated Kuroi Castle to complete conquest of Tamba after many years.

Later he also ordered to conquer Tango and made it with Hosokawa Fujitaka.
Mitsuhide received Tamba Province and Fujitaka received Tango Province. It means that Mitsuhide became a lord with 340000 kokus estate for the sum.

on June 2nd in the 10th year of the Tensho period (1582), he was ordered to help Hashiba Hideyoshi army, but he didn’t. Instead, he attacked Oda Nobunaga in Honnoji Temple and killed him.
After Hashiba Hideyoshi know it, he made peace with the Mori family right away and conducted Chugoku Great Return. He defeated Mitsuhide in the battle of Yamazaki.

Mitsuhide’s nephew Akechi Hidemitsu burned Sakamoto Castle and committed suicide.
Hideyoshi had Niwa Nagahide rebuilt Sakamoto Castle and assigned him the head. Later, Sugiwara Ietsugu and Asano Nagamasa became the head.

However, in the 14th year of the Tensho period (1586), Asano Nagamasa built Otsu Castle with Hideyoshi’s order and moved to it. Then Sakamoto Castle was abandoned.
It was 15 years after Mitsuhide had built it.

Now, the ruin is used as Sakamoto Castle Ruin Park.

[Address,access]
Shimo Sakamoto, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture 520-0105

[Map]

[Description]
Yakami Castle used to stand in a mountain in Shinoyama City, Hyogo Prefecture
It was ruled by the Hatano family from the medieval times through the Muromachi period to the Warring States period. The Hatano family was a local lord of Tamba Province.

It was built by Hatano Tanemichi after he distinguished himself in Onin War. In the early Warring States period, he built the main keep on top of Takashiro Mountain to save Shinoyama Basin.

In the 3rd year of the Koji period (1557), the castle was robbed by Matsunaga Hisahide, who was a favorite retainer of Miyoshi Nagayoshi. However, in the 9th year of the Eiroku period (1566), Hatano Hideharu took it back.

In the 3rd year of the Tensho period (1575), Oda Nobunaga ordered Akechi Mitsuhide to start Tamba Conquest. The Hatano family was besieged in the castle for a long time with the support of Mori Terumoto and the Akai family. Finally, they surrendered. Hatano brothers Hideharu and Hidehisa were brought to Kyoto and crucified by Nobunaga. The Hatano family got extinct.

In the 7th year of the Keicho period (1602), in Yakami Castle, Maeda Shigekatsu (a son of Maeda Geni) became the head with 50000 kokus estate. However, in the 13th year of the Keicho period (1608), he was deprived of his feudal estate and status.
After that, Matsudaira Yasushige got in charge of it. He built Shinoyama Castle and abandoned Yakami Castle.

※Respect monument of Hatano Hideharu in the ruin of the main keep.

[Address,access]
Yakami Nai, Shinoyama City, Hyogo Prefecture 669-2432

[Map]