Tochidaniyama Fort: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 09:22, 29 June 2025

The ruins of Tochidaniyama Fort are subtle in places, but when viewed on a map, it becomes clear that the site was one of the larger and more complex forts in the Mt. Gyoichi defenses. While individual earthworks can be faint, the fort’s placement at the junction of multiple ridgelines is easy to un

History

Positioned at a point where the ridgeline widens, Tochidaniyama was considered the central and most important fort in the Shibata defense network along this line. From its location, the ridge branches off to Nakataniyama Fort and Kashiwadaniyama Fort, while the main trail continues upward to Besshoyama Fort. It was under the command of Hara Nagayori.

At a point on the ridgeline where it widens out, this was considered the most important central fort of the defensive line. From here branches go down to Nakataniyama Fort and Kashiwadaniyama Fort and the slope continues up to Besshoyama Fort.

See Battle of Shizugatake for more details.

Field Notes

The ruins of Tochidaniyama Fort are subtle in places, but when viewed on a map, it becomes clear that the site was one of the larger and more complex forts in the Mt. Gyoichi defenses. While individual earthworks can be faint, the fort’s placement at the junction of multiple ridgelines is easy to understand in the field.

From one of the lower baileys, a side ridge leads to Kashiwadaniyama Fort, but there is no trail or signage—not even marked trees to guide the way.

The names of Tochidaniyama Fort and Nakataniyama Fort are flipped in some old materials and even the maps and signposts on the site. I'm using the naming conventions from the Shiga Prefectural Castle Survey, which are followed in most modern books and materials too. Unfortunately, the local signs have not been updated to match!

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Castle Profile
English Name	Tochidaniyama Fort
Japanese Name	橡谷山砦
Founder	Shibata Katsuie
Year Founded	1583
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	JR Yogo Sta., 4.5km to trailhead
Hours	Mountain trails, limited signage, lightly marked trail
Time Required	30 mins
Hiking Trail	View on Yamap
Location	Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35.56754, 136.18421
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2025
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	2025
Admin Visits	April 27, 2025
Friends of JCastle
Jokaku Horoki

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@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |Castle Condition=Ruins only
 |Historical Period=Pre Edo Period
+|Features=trenches
 |Access=JR Yogo Sta., 4.5km to trailhead
 |Visitor Information=Mountain trails, limited signage, lightly marked trail
@@ Line 14: / Line 15: @@
 |City=Nagahama
 |Prefecture=Shiga Prefecture
-|Notes=The ruins around here are a bit slight to see but looking at a map it's rather large compared to other forts in the Shibata defenses. From one of the lower baileys you can also follow a ridge to reach [[Kashiwadani Fort]] but there is no trail. Not even marked trees to guide you.
+|Notes=The ruins of Tochidaniyama Fort are subtle in places, but when viewed on a map, it becomes clear that the site was one of the larger and more complex forts in the Mt. Gyoichi defenses. While individual earthworks can be faint, the fort’s placement at the junction of multiple ridgelines is easy to understand in the field.
-|History=Tochidaniyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's general along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Hara Nagayori.
-At a point on the Ridgeline where it widens out, this was considered the most important central fort of the defensive line. From here branches go down to [[Nakataniyama Fort]] and [[Kashiwadani Fort]].
+From one of the lower baileys, a side ridge leads to [[Kashiwadaniyama Fort]], but there is no trail or signage—not even marked trees to guide the way.
+The names of Tochidaniyama Fort and [[Nakataniyama Fort]] are flipped in some old materials and even the maps and signposts on the site. I'm using the naming conventions from the Shiga Prefectural Castle Survey, which are followed in most modern books and materials too. Unfortunately, the local signs have not been updated to match!
+|History=Positioned at a point where the ridgeline widens, Tochidaniyama was considered the central and most important fort in the Shibata defense network along this line. From its location, the ridge branches off to [[Nakataniyama Fort]] and [[Kashiwadaniyama Fort]], while the main trail continues upward to [[Besshoyama Fort]]. It was under the command of Hara Nagayori.
+At a point on the ridgeline where it widens out, this was considered the most important central fort of the defensive line. From here branches go down to [[Nakataniyama Fort]] and [[Kashiwadaniyama Fort]] and the slope continues up to [[Besshoyama Fort]].
 See [[Battle of Shizugatake]] for more details.