Nakajima Castle (Omi)
Nakajimajō is a yamajiro (hilltop castle) ruin in Odani Township, Nagahama Municipality. Ruins remain in the form of dorui (earthen ramparts), yokobori (lateral moats), horikiri (trench-cutting moats), baileys and other earthworks such as dobashi (earthen bridges). Nakajimajō is a compact fort, an
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History
It is not known when Nakajimajō was built, but it was likely in place by 1572, since there was a local clan there by the name of Nakajima. Nakajimajō was defended by Azai Clan retainer Nakajima Naochiku during the siege of Odanijō by Oda Nobunaga. The fort fell along with Odanijō in 1573.
Field Notes
Nakajimajō is a yamajiro (hilltop castle) ruin in Odani Township, Nagahama Municipality. Ruins remain in the form of dorui (earthen ramparts), yokobori (lateral moats), horikiri (trench-cutting moats), baileys and other earthworks such as dobashi (earthen bridges).
Nakajimajō is a compact fort, and small - snug even - but the construction is technically accomplished. The main bailey is very small and surrounded by dorui, as though the bailey was made from excavating from the peak and leaving the remaining earth in place to serve as ramaprts. Beneath the main bailey in the north and east there is a half-ring yokobori system. To the west is the second bailey which is also protected by dorui.
The approach to Nakajimajō is formiddable. There is a dobashi with deep trenches on either side. Even today they seem perilous to fall into. Any attack here up from the ridge would've been a very risky prospect. This area served as the castle's main gate.
There is also a mound in front of the main gate, but this is a kofun, an ancient burial mound. There may be several more kofun in the ridge saddle between Nakajimajō and its satellite fortification of Ôtoriyama-toride, though they're covered in vegetation. Also in this saddle is a narrow cutting; this is an old mountain path which used to be used as a shortcut by local peasants.
Note: 'Nakajima' is a common name. Although it means 'Middle Island', "islands" in Japanese can be hills in the middle of plains. Nakajima sits between Yamamotoyama and Odani castles. This site in Ōmi Province is not to be confused with Aźumi-Nakajimajō in Shinano Province.
Gallery
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Nakajima Castle (Omi) |
| Japanese Name | 近江中島城 |
| Founder | Nakajima Naochiku |
| Year Founded | 1572 |
| Castle Type | Mountaintop |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui, dobashi, horikiri, kuruwa, yokobori |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Kawake Station on the Hokuriku Main Line; 15 min walk to trail. |
| Hours | 24/7 free; mountain |
| Time Required | 40 mins |
| Location | Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35.45494, 136.25223 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Jōkaku Hōrōki | |
| Yogo | |
| Jōshi Meguri Bibōroku | |
| Jōkakuzukan | |
