| Shigisan castle | |
|---|---|
信貴山城 | |
| Mount Shigi, border ofYamato andKawachi Provinces,Japan | |
 Mt Shigi (Shigisan Castle) | |
| Site information | |
| Type | yamashiro-typeJapanese castle |
| Location | |
  Shigisan castle  Shigisan castle | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1536 |
| Built by | Kizawa Nagamasa |
| In use | 1536–1577 |
| Demolished | 1577 |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Shigisan (1577) |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders | Kizawa Nagamasa,Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide |
Shigisan castle (信貴山城,Shigisanjō) was aJapanese castle of theSengoku period, controlled by theKizawa andMatsunaga clans. There are little remains of the castle on the present day site, just some moats and earthworks.[1]
The castle was located atopMount Shigi, on the border of Japan'sKawachi andYamato Provinces (todayNara prefecture). Theshugo (shogunal governors) and laterdaimyō of Yamato province ruled the province from Shigisan, and wielded some control over the strategic passes between Yamato and Kawachi.
The location was also significant for the temple ofChōgosonshi-ji, which sits on the mountainside, some distance below the castle. Shigisan is the central mountain of theShingon sect of Buddhism, and is claimed to be the location where, in 587,Shōtoku Taishi defeatedMononobe no Moriya in thebattle of Shigisan.
The castle was originally constructed in 1536 byKizawa Nagamasa, who commanded it on behalf of theHatakeyama clan, who held the post ofshugo of Yamato province. It was repaired and expanded on in 1559, byMatsunaga Danjo Hisahide, who commanded it on behalf of theMiyoshi clan. It would grow to be roughly 700m from north to south, and 550m from east to west, and included a four-storyyagura (tower or turret). In 1562, however, the daimyo of Yamato province moved toTamonyama Castle.
Shigisan castle fell to members of the Miyoshi clan in 1568, but was recaptured quickly afterwards when the attackers' attention was redirected to the capital by the activities ofOda Nobunaga.
Nobunaga would thenbesiege the castle in 1577, destroying it and bringing the downfall of Matsunaga Hisahide.[2]
34°36′46″N135°40′06″E / 34.612729°N 135.668208°E /34.612729; 135.668208