Kongouji Castle (Omi)

History

Gamō-Kongōjijō, also called Kaneda-yakata, was built by Rokkaku Yoritsuna as the main residence of the Rokkaku Clan, replacing Kowaki-yakata. The castle burnt down in 1469, and a new castle with a similar name, Kongōderajō, was built to the north at a site also called Jionji-yakata in 1486. 'Kongōdera' refers to a temple which existed alongside both temples built originally by Rokkaku Ujiyori. The castle got its name at that time and was formerly known as Kaneda-yakata or Kaneda-dono. Kongōjijō was involved in the conflicts between the Rokkaku Clan and the Ashikaga Shogunate, and in 1487 it was taken over by the Kuri Clan who were Ashikaga vassals who lived nearby and had probably been displaced by the Rokkaku at some point. By 1486 the Rokkaku had relocated their main base to Jionji-yakata. In 1491 the site was again temporarily taken over by Shogunal forces along with much of the rest of Rokkaku territory. No ruins remain of the castle but neighbourhood names such as 'Old Castle' and 'Main Gate' are retained.

Visit Notes

There is a signboard about the castle on site with a castle marker. The stated history conflates both sites referred to as Kongōjijō / Kongōderajō, but considering the dates it is likely that it is the other site, Kongōderajō, also called Jionji-yakata, that Ashikaga Yoshitane made his camp, rather than this one. No ruins remain.

See Jionji Yakata.

Gallery

Explanation board in small park for castle site.

Castle Profile
English Name	Kongouji Castle (Omi)
Japanese Name	近江金剛寺城
Alternate Names	Kaneda-yakata
Founder	Rokkaku Yoritsuna
Year Founded	15th century
Castle Type	Fortified Manor
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Features
Visitor Information
Access	Ōmi-Hachiman Station on the Biwako Line; 20 minute walk
Visitor Information	24/7 free
Time Required	10 minutes
Location	Higashi-Ōmi, Shiga Prefecture
Coordinates	35° 7' 27.62" N, 136° 6' 56.41" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2022
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Jōkaku Tanbō
Masaki Shibata

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