Hirai Castle (Omi)

From Jcastle.info
Revision as of 09:45, 14 March 2023 by ART (talk | contribs) (ART moved page Hirai Castle (Shiga) to Hirai Castle (Omi))

OumiHiraijou01.JPG

History

Hiraijō was once an expansive fortified site, somewhere between both a medieval fortified manor and a fortified settlement. Various lords are recorded as having lorded Hiraijō. It is thought that leading local clansmen amassed power here by controlling the water supply through irrigation channels. The fort is said to have been built by Ogura Nyūdō. Other rules are recorded such as Sasaki Hatagashira, Ogura Senhito, and Ogura Sanei. Ogura Sanei styled himself as a daimyō and it is thought that he controlled the water supply of Echi County from Hiraijō. It later became the main base of the Hirai Clan, who were valued vassals of both Rokkaku Yoshikata and Rokkaku Yoshiharu. In the Nanbokuchō Period, the Hirai Clan fell under the Echi-Hirai faction or the Ogura-Hirai faction. In the Sengoku Period, Hiraijō was lorded by Kagamori Sadatake, an important vasal of the Rokkaku Clan who was able to marry his daughter to Azai Nagamasa. It seems that Hiraijō was a much contested castle as it allowed individual lords to amass power by controlling irigation on the Echi River. Hiraijō apparently used Fujigawa, a tributary of the Echigawa, as a moat. The fort measured 100m by 150m. Local place names indicate features of the fort such as "the Stables" and "East Hall".


Visit Notes

A marker designates the site as the ruins of Hiraijō but not much remains. Some local castle bloggers say that dorui (earthen rampart) remains exist(ed) on private property. It was not possible for me to get a good look. Apparently more ruins could be seen until recently, but those have now been destroyed. It just goes to show that small flatland sites like this, even in relatively rural areas, may be destroyed at any time.




Gallery


Castle Profile
English Name Hirai Castle
Japanese Name 平居城
Founder Ogura Nyūdō
Year Founded Medieval Era
Castle Type Fortified Manor
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access Gokashō Station on the Ōmi Rail Kotō-Ōmi Line; 9 minute drive or 48 minute walk
Visitor Information Private Property
Time Required 1 minute
Location Aishou, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates 35° 9' 13.32" N, 136° 13' 26.69" E
Loading map...
Admin
Added to Jcastle 2021
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed


1.00
(one vote)
Add your comment
Jcastle.info welcomes all comments. If you do not want to be anonymous, register or log in. It is free.