Shigisan Castle Site

Heguri, Nara, Japan, Japan

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Shigisan Castle, built in 1536 by Kizawa Nagamasa on top of Mount Shigi in Nara Prefecture, was a large Sengoku-period mountain castle covering an area approximately 700 by 550 meters, making it the largest mountain castle in Nara.

It played a crucial role in controlling the road over the Shigi Mountains for ruling Yamato Province. The castle was notably expanded by Matsunaga Hisahide in 1559 into a large fortress with a five-tiered northern flat area known as the Matsunaga residence.

The castle witnessed several battles during the Sengoku era, including its fall to Tsutsui Junkei's forces in 1568 and subsequent recapture by Hisahide. In 1577, during a siege by Oda Nobunaga's army, Hisahide committed suicide after destroying a prized tea ceremony kettle to prevent its capture.

The castle was then abandoned. Today, the castle buildings no longer stand, but moats, earthen mounds, gate ruins, and flattened areas remain almost entirely intact within the precincts of the nearby Chogosonshi-ji Temple, preserving its medieval appearance and historical significance.