Usayama Castle: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:05, 15 January 2023

There was quite a lot more stonework here than I expected to find. There are two large segments of well preserved stone walls but most of the Honmaru and Ninomaru baileys have ruins of stone walls scattered about. The castle is easy to find from Omi Hachimangu shrine. There are many signs made by th

History

The castle was built by Mori Yoshinari in 1570 under the direction of Oda Nobunaga to fortify the road to Kyoto against incursion by the combined forces of the Asakura and Asai. They also closed existing passes to Kyoto and created a new one, called Yamanaka-goe, (see Castles of Kyoto) that could be controlled from the castle. Usayama Castle is considered to be the first stone walled castle built by Nobunaga in the area.

In August of 1570 (after the Battle of Anegawa in June), the Miyoshi and allies rose up against Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Nobunaga and Ashikaga directed their forces to Osaka and the Asakura/Asai took advantage of the opportunity to attack Usayama Castle killing Mori Yoshinari. Nobunaga himself returned to Usayama from Osaka to fortify the castle and surround the Asakura/Asai and their allies who were holed up at Enryakuji. After Ashikaga Yoshiaki brokered a peaceful settlement with The Asakura/Asai, Nobunaga left the castle and placed Akechi Mitsuhide in charge. The following year, Nobunaga attacked and burned Enryakuji. Following the Siege of Enryakuji Akechi Mitsuhide built Sakamoto Castle and Usayama Castle was abandoned.

Field Notes

There was quite a lot more stonework here than I expected to find. There are two large segments of well preserved stone walls but most of the Honmaru and Ninomaru baileys have ruins of stone walls scattered about. The castle is easy to find from Omi Hachimangu shrine. There are many signs made by the local elementary school pointing the way.

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Gallery

original foundation beneath the antenna tower

Castle Profile
English Name	Usayama Castle
Japanese Name	宇佐山城
Alternate Names	Shiga-jo
Founder	Mori Yoshinari
Year Founded	1570
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches, stone walls
Visitor Information
Access	Otsukyo Sta. (JR Kosei Line), 10 min walk to Omi Hachimangu Shrine; 30 min mountain hike
Hours	mountain, open any time
Time Required	90 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Otsu, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35.03373, 135.8466
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2023
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2022
Admin Visits	Dec 28, 2012
Friends of JCastle
Kojodan
Jokaku Horoki
Shiga Shiro Expo

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(one vote)

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@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 |Japanese Name=宇佐山城
 |Romaji Name=Usayama-jo
+|Alternate Names=Shiga-jo
 |Founder=Mori Yoshinari
 |Year Founded=1570
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
 |Notes=There was quite a lot more stonework here than I expected to find. There are two large segments of well preserved stone walls but most of the Honmaru and Ninomaru baileys have ruins of stone walls scattered about. The castle is easy to find from Omi Hachimangu shrine. There are many signs made by the local elementary school pointing the way.
 |History=The castle was built by Mori Yoshinari in 1570 under the direction of Oda Nobunaga to fortify the road to Kyoto against incursion by the combined forces of the Asakura and Asai. They also closed existing passes to Kyoto and created a new one, called Yamanaka-goe,  (see [[Castles of Kyoto]]) that could be controlled from the castle. Usayama Castle is considered to be the first stone walled castle built by Nobunaga in the area.
+In August of 1570 (after the Battle of Anegawa in June), the Miyoshi and allies rose up against Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Nobunaga and Ashikaga directed their forces to Osaka and the Asakura/Asai took advantage of the opportunity to attack Usayama Castle killing Mori Yoshinari. Nobunaga himself returned to Usayama from Osaka to fortify the castle and surround the Asakura/Asai and their allies who were holed up at Enryakuji. After Ashikaga Yoshiaki brokered a peaceful settlement with The Asakura/Asai, Nobunaga left the castle and placed Akechi Mitsuhide in charge. The following year, Nobunaga attacked and burned Enryakuji. Following the Siege of Enryakuji Akechi Mitsuhide built [[Sakamoto Castle]] and Usayama Castle was abandoned.
 |Year Visited=2022
 |AddedJcastle=2023