Sawayama had been regarded as important point since the days of Nobunaga ODA, and Nobunaga appointed Nagahide NIWA, his especially confidential senior vassal, as lord of the castle.
佐和山は織田信長の時代から要衝と見なされ、信長は特に信任の厚かった重臣・丹羽長秀を城主としているほどである。