Besshoyama Fort: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:48, 21 June 2025

The signboard with a map at Besshoyama Fort is unfortunately a little simplified. It just shows a single bailey with surrounded by trenches and embankments. Actually it is much bigger than what is shown with some interesting features you'll have to explore with your own feet. There is another simpl

History

Besshoyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's generals along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Maeda Toshiie.

See Battle of Shizugatake for more details.

Field Notes

The signboard with a map at Besshoyama Fort is unfortunately a little simplified. It just shows a single bailey with surrounded by trenches and embankments. Actually it is much bigger than what is shown with some interesting features you'll have to explore with your own feet. There is another simple bailey the "right" (north of this one which could be unfinished or a simple encampment. Before even reaching the main part of the castle you'll come across a single giant tatebori trench which is not on the map either and about 300m before the castle proper anyway. You would be forgiven if you thought it was an entirely separate fort. Just beyond this there is another yokobori trench along the roadside (yes there is actually a road nearly to the top of the mountain) that was part of the fortification too. Again you would be forgiven if you passed this over as maybe a washout or drainage area but is in fact part of the forts. It is nearly flat here and unlikely to be from drainage. These two features are not covered on most maps. As you finally approach the main part of the castle you will also see some slight embankments and that the ground has been shaped for a switch back path into the castle proper itself. From Besshoyama it is another 40 mins steep climb up to Gyoichi Fort at the top of the mountain.

Along the trail to Besshoyama Fort you will come across a huge tatebori (vertical trench)

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Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Besshoyama Fort
Japanese Name	別所山砦
Founder	Shibata Katsuie
Year Founded	1583
Castle Type	Mountaintop
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features
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	35.56369, 136.18172
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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 14: / Line 14: @@
 |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 signboard with a map at Besshoyama Fort is unfortunately a little simplified. It just shows a single bailey with surrounded by trenches and embankments. Actually it is much bigger than what is shown with some interesting features you'll have to explore with your own feet.  There is another simple bailey the "right" (north of this one which could be unfinished or a simple encampment. Before even reaching the main part of the castle you'll come across a single giant tatebori trench which is not on the map either and about 300m before the castle proper anyway. You would be forgiven if you thought it was an entirely separate fort.  Just beyond this there is another yokobori trench along the roadside (yes there is actually a road nearly to the top of the mountain) that was part of the fortification too. Again you would be forgiven if you passed this over as maybe a washout or drainage area but is in fact part of the forts. It is nearly flat here and unlikely to be from drainage. These two features are not covered on most maps. As you finally approach the main part of the castle you will also see some slight embankments and that the ground has been shaped for a switch back path into the castle proper itself.  From Besshoyama it is another 40 mins steep climb up to Gyoichi Fort at the top of the mountain.
-|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 Maeda Toshiie.
-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]].
+Along the trail to Besshoyama Fort you will come across a huge tatebori (vertical trench)
+|History=Besshoyama Fort was one of several mountaintop forts constructed by Shibata Katsuie's generals along the Mt. Gyoichi mountain range leading up to the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. It was commanded by Maeda Toshiie.
 See [[Battle of Shizugatake]] for more details.