Katsushima Castle (Omi)
History
Katsushimajō was a small satellite fortification of Ogurajō (Echi Ogura Castle). The fort was a simple square in layout, with the main and only bailey surrounded by rammed earthen ramparts which were in turn surrounded by a mizubori (water moat).
Visit Notes
It seems that there are some dorui (earthen rampart) remains at the site of Katsushimajō, identified by castle bloggers who accomplished a much more thorough inspection than I did. Albeit the marker indicated on Google Maps did not indicate neither these tangible ruins nor a small signboard which has been erected to indicate the castle, and misled me somewhat. I should know better really than to rely on that service though. My picture shows the castle site from a distance. As we can see, it’s mostly fields today! The apparent dorui is to be found in a tangle of trees near a red and white power pylon. Other ruins indicated by explorers are 'moat traces', 'stone walls' and 'baileys', but these remnants are such that one would have to know what one was looking for to even suspect them. I must confess that I feel somewhat neglectful for not making a more complete investigation of this site. Possibly I will go back someday though as I would like to make a complete tour of the ruins of the Hyakusaiji Temple-Castle environs, as well as to better check out Ogurajō, of which Katsushimajō is a branch fort of. Besides, despite visiting over twenty sites in Echi District, there’s still many more sites in the area, including several minor fortification sites in the foothills of Hyakusaiji Castle.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Katsushima Castle (Omi) |
| Japanese Name | 近江勝島城 |
| Founder | Ogura Clan |
| Year Founded | Medieval Era |
| Castle Type | Flatland |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui |
| Features | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Yōkaichi Station on the Kotō-Ōmi, Minakuchi-Gamono and Man’yō-Akane Lines; 15 minute drive or 120 minute walk |
| Visitor Information | Free; 24/7; Fields |
| Time Required | 10 minutes |
| Website | https://blog.goo.ne.jp/kkkk 015/e/6fad29b75c2552a040b2490929cfacd4 |
| Location | Aishou, Shiga Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 35° 5' 23.10" N, 136° 16' 59.05" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2020 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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