Japanese Castle Explorer

by Daniel O'Grady

       
Strongholds of the Samurai: Japanese Castles 250-1877 Imjin War book cover

Kannonji Castle

Images: Daniel O'Grady

観音寺城
Kannonji Castle is classified as a mountain castle, and is located in Shiga Prefecture. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Ōmi Province. It is associated with the Sasaki, Rokkaku clans. Dates in use: 1467 - 1568.

This castle was built by the Sasaki clan in the 1300's and has for centuries been recognized as one of the great mountain castle of its time. Today there remain stone walls outlining compounds, both large & small, all over the mountain.

Kannonji Castle had withstood several sieges in its 230 year history & was regularly renovated to ensure it would never fall. It all came to an end in 1568 thought, when Oda Nobunaga successfully laid siege to the castle that had already been weakened by internal strife.

Google Map Views (グーグルマップ)


Best view ベストビュー
Orbit view 軌道ビュー

Timeline

1335 What was really nothing more that a makeshift fort was built at about this time by the Sasaki clan. Soon after it was expanded.
1468 A major renovation was carried out.
1487 Rokkaku Takayori was besieged by the Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshihisa.
1563 The execution of a Rokkaku clan retainer, Goto Katatoyo, created great unrest within the clan.
1568 Oda Nobunaga successfully besieged the castle.

Historical recognition

SiteNational Historic Site