As Hikone attracted many warlords' attention as their strategic point, Nobunaga ODA placed Nagahide NIWA in Sawayama-jo Castle and gave Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI Nagahama-jo Castle (in Omi Province) which was near NIWA's castle.
戦略拠点としてその点に注目され、織田信長は佐和山城に丹羽長秀を入れ、ほど近い長浜城(近江国)を豊臣秀吉に与えている。