《国史跡》西方城跡　Nishikata Castle

3D Model

◯栃木市　　　　　　　　　Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture, JAPAN　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◯戦国時代〜江戸時代初期　Sengoku ( Warring States) perid - Early Edo period (15th -17th century)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◯三次元計測・データ提供：栃木市教育委員会

This castle served as the residence of the Nishikata clan, a branch of the Utsunomiya family. After the Odawara Campaign in 1590, the Nishikata lost their lands. The area then came under the control of Yuki Hideyasu, and after his transfer to Echizen in 1600, it was granted to Fujita Nobuyoshi. The castle consists of two main districts—the mountaintop and foothill areas—and is regarded as one of the largest mountain castles in Tochigi Prefecture. It is thought to have been built in the late 15th century. The extent of its precincts shifted with political and social changes from the Sengoku to the early Edo period. The Nishikata clan used only the mountaintop district; under the Yuki, both areas were occupied; and in the Fujita period, use seems to have been limited to the eastern part of the foothill district.