Kokuzousan Castle (Aida)
Aida Castle was originally the main base of the Aida Clan in the Kamakura period. The Aida were descended from the influential Unno Clan, and in the Sengoku period
Kokuzousan Castle (Aida)
Aida Castle was originally the main base of the Aida Clan in the Kamakura period. The Aida were descended from the influential Unno Clan, and in the Sengoku period aligned with the Ogasawara Clan under Ogasawara Nagatoki with whom Takeda Shingen was warring. The Aida Valley was an important route into northern Shinano, vital to Shingen’s ambitions to conquer the province. The Aida initially resisted his advances, but Shingen invaded the valley in 1553 and burnt Akiyoshi Fort to the ground, forcing the clan to surrender. Later that year Takeda forces lost important battles at Fuse and Sarashina during the first Kawanakima campaign to Uesugi Kenshin’s forces. Uesugi forces went on the offensive, attacking Aoyagi Castle. They then attacked forts in Aida as well.
After the fall of Takeda Katsuyori and Oda Nobunaga in 1582, the Ogasawara would reclaim parts of Shinano, but not without resistance. The Aida resisted the Ogasawara, their old masters, wi