Kasugayama Castle | |
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春日山城 | |
Jōetsu, Niigata, Japan | |
![]() Kasugayama Castle from Jōetsu-shi Maizō Bunkazai Center | |
Coordinates | 37°08′50″N 138°12′20″E / 37.147108°N 138.205597°E |
Type | yamashiro-style Japanese castle |
Site information | |
Controlled by | Nagao clan, Uesugi clan, Hori clan |
Condition | Ruins; only earthwork walls and dry moat remain |
Site history | |
Built | Year Unknown |
Built by | Nagao clan |
In use | until 1607 |
Garrison information | |
Past commanders | Nagao Tamekage, Uesugi Kenshin, Uesugi Kagekatsu |
Kasugayama Castle (春日山城, Kasugayama-jō) is a Sengoku period yamashiro-style Japanese castle located in the Nakayashiki neighborhood of the city of Jōetsu, Niigata prefecture. It was the primary fortress of the warlord Uesugi Kenshin, and was originally built and ruled by the Nagao clan. It is listed as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles and the ruins have been protected as a National Historic Site since 1935.[1] The castle and its history were mentioned by Takizawa Bakin, and Yamazaki Yoshishige in Tanki manroku.[2] Kasugayama Castle is regarded as among Japan's Five Greatest Mountain Castles, along with Nanao Castle, Odani Castle, Kannonji Castle and Gassantoda Castle. The castle is unofficially called Hachigamine Castle (鉢ヶ峰城, Hachigamine-jō).[3]