This is all about Odani Castle Ruins you want to know.
Every information you get on this site will be from a credible source based on Japanese history (books for reference).
from Special display at Nagahama City Nagahama Castle History Museum in 2011 (borrowed from the private collection and first opened to the public at that time)
Profile : Odani Castle Ruins
| Location | Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Also known as | ー |
| Type of castle | Mountaintop |
| Mountain's name | Mt.Odani |
| Elevation | 495m |
| Condition | Ruins only |
| Designation | National Historic Sites |
| Year built | about 1516 |
| Abolished | 1575 |
| Castle lord | Azai Sukemasa |
| Refurbishment lord | Azai Clan |
The family crest was originally created from the pattern that the emperor and the royal family put on the kimono, and the pattern was made into a fixed pattern, and the one attached to his own oxcart is said to be the beginning of the family crest. The warlords drew large crests on the flag-fingers, used to distinguish enemy views on the battlefield, and used by the generals to determine which warlords were active and how much.
Sister of Oda Nobunaga, Azai Nagamasa's wife. Famous for being the best woman in the Warring States period.
She had three daughters.
The eldest daughter, "Princess-Chacha", became Toyotomi Hideyoshi's concubine and seized the hegemony of the Toyotomi family, is famous as "Yodo-dono", who was attacked by Tokugawa Ieyasu and comitted suicide with his son in the Ōsaka Summer Battle".
The second daughter, "Princss-Hatsu", became Kyōgoku's wife, and ran away after her husband died. She struggled to find a relationship between Toyotomi and Tokugawa.
The third daughter, "Princess-Gou," married to the Shōguns Family as the eldest son of Tokugawa Hidetada, the eldest son of Ieyasu. She gave birth to many descendants, including Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Shōgun, and greatly contributed to the prosperity of Tokugawa.
In addition, Crown Prince Naruhito became the Emperor from May 1, 2019, and the era changed from "Heisei" to "Reiwa".
Odani Castle admission
admission fee : free 300yen (over high school students) 150yen (junior and elementary school students) ※Odani Castle Sengoku Historical Museum
admission time : am9-pm5
closing period : every Tuesday reference official site (japanese)
Odani Castle Google Map
Odani Castle Images
”Lady Ichi" married Azai Nagamasa around 1567. As a result, the Oda family and the Azai family will form an alliance. However, his older brother Oda Nobunaga was in war with Asakura Yoshikage in 1570 , a longtime friend of Azai, and both families were cut off. It would be a tough situation where her brother and her husband conflict. After all, Nagamasa was defeated by Nobunaga in the "Anegawa Battle" and committed suicide, and Odani Castle is fallen down. She and her three daughters were saved and taken over by the Oda family. After that, Nobunaga was killed in Honnō-ji Temple in 1582, and four months later she was married to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vassal, Shibata Katsuie. This is the second time political marriage with former husband, Azai Nagamasa. The new husband also confronted Toyotomi and lost in the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583. The appearance of turbulence seems to be exactly for this woman. The three daughters of Lady Ichi became not only three beautiful sisters, but also a major player in Japanese history.
Azai Nagamasa was allied with Oda Nobunaga, including his marriage to Nobunaga's sister, "Lady Ichi". However, when Asakura Yoshikage and Nobunaga, who were also his allies, fought, Nagamasa attacked behind Oda's army, which had attacked Asakura, and sided with Asakura. However, both Asakura and Azai were defeated by Nobunaga, and Nagamasa was commit a suicide at Odani Castle.
Odani Castle, known as one of the best mountaintop style castles in Sengoku Warlord Period, had horseshoe-shaped Kuruwa (turf). In addition to the central part where the Honmaru and the Great Hall are located, the area surrounding the plains of the valley, such as Kiyomizu Valley, is surrounded by Kuruwa such as Ōtake, Fukujumaru, Yamazakimaru and Gesshomaru. Currently, there are no buildings left.
In the horseshoe-shaped Kuruwa, many trench with ridges are left. This is a feature found in Asakura's Ichijo-dani Castle, which was associated with an alliance, and it is believed that Asakura Clan cooperated with the castle in anticipation of Oda Nobunaga.
Entrance of the Kuruwa called "Ōhiroma"
Stones that were used in their natural shape or were split without any further shaping. This type of wall is comparatively weak and high walls cannot be built. It also provides many footholds and handholds making it relatively easy for attackers to climb.
Link-1 : Japanese five most especially famous mountaintop castle
【west japan】Kannonji Castle 【central japan】Nanao Castle 【north japan】Kasugayama Castle 【west japan】Gassantoda Castle 【west japan】Odani Castle
Link-2 : The tragic castle
【north japan】Nihonmatsu Castle 【central japan】Iwamura Castle 【west japan】Miki Castle 【west japan】Odani Castle
Link-3: A castle closely related to [block]13[/block]
【central japan】Gifu castle 【central japan】Nagashino Castle 【west japan】Azuchi castle 【west japan】Odani Castle
Link-4 : A castle closely related to [block]17[/block]
【east japan】 Odawara Castle 【west japan】Himeji Castle 【south japan】Nagoya Castle 【west japan】Ōsaka Castle 【west japan】Miki Castle 【west japan】Odani Castle
Link-5 : Castle closely related to [block]23[/block]
【north japan】 Shiroishi Castle 【north japan】Aizuwakamatsu Castle 【west japan】Odani Castle