Rokkaku
Kannonji Castle
観音寺城
| Founder | Sasaki clan |
| Year | 1335 (?) |
| Type | Mountaintop |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Rating | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ |
| Historical Site | National Historic Site |
| Historical Value | Top 100 Castles |
| Location | Azuchi, Shiga Pref. |
| Map | Google Map |
| Access | Azuchi Station (JR Tokaido Line) |
| Website | Azuchi Town Sightseeing |
| Visited | not personally visited. |
| Notes | All pictures donated by Dan from Castles of Kyushu. I really wish I had known about this castle when I went to Azuchi Castle. From what I've read since, it sounds like a fascinating site. Together with Azuchi Castle I could have spent all day in Azuchi walking around just these two ruins. If you have more pictures please send them along and I'll post them too. |
| History |
It's not known exactly when this castle was built but the oldest records show it existed as early as 1335 and was probably built by the Sasaki. At one point during the Onin War the castle was turned over to the Ashikaga for a short term. The Rokkaku rebuilt much of the castle during the Sengoku Period, but they gradually lost power and the castle was abandoned. In 1560, Rokkaku Yoshikata lost an important battle to the Asai Clan. The execution of Goto Katatoyo in 1563 created much dissention among the Rokkaku retainers. When Nobunaga took control of the region in 1568, the Rokkaku were simply swept aside and they fled the castle. After Nobunaga built Azuchi Castle just a few kilometers away, Kannonji Castle was most likely abandoned but some stories say it was still used in a minor capacity. The original castle nearly covered the mountain with baileys, stone walls and earthen walls. It was one of the most extensive mountaintop castles built. |
Viewer Comments
(0) | Post Comment