During the Eisho era (that is, before the present Himeji-jo Castle was built), Tetsuzan AOYAMA, a vassal of Norimoto KODERA, the ninth lord of Himeji-jo Castle, was plotting to take over his master's castle, however, a loyal subject named Motonobu KINUGASA sensed it and sent his mistress Okiku into Tetsuzan's house as a maid to spy on his plot.
永正年間（つまり現在の姫路城が出来る前）、姫路城第9代城主小寺則職の家臣青山鉄山が主家乗っ取りを企てていたが、これを衣笠元信なる忠臣が察知、自分の妾だったお菊という女性を鉄山の家の女中にし鉄山の計略を探らせた。