Tamon'yama Castle, Hirayamajiro castle in Nara, Japan
Tamon'yama is a hirayamajiro castle set on Mount Biman in Nara, rising to an elevation of 115 meters (377 feet) with stone walls, thick earthen ramparts, and tiled roofing across its compounds. The fortifications spread over multiple levels and display the typical construction methods of a mountain fortress from the mid-16th century.
Matsunaga Hisahide built this fortress between 1560 and 1564 to control the Yamato region. The site served as a strategic base until 1577 and then lost its military importance.
The fortress takes its name from Tamonten, a Buddhist guardian deity of the northern direction, still honored at many temples throughout the region. This choice reflects how closely military structures in that era connected with the spiritual beliefs held by local communities.
The grounds now sit within the Wakakusa Junior High School campus, and visitors can observe some of the original earthwork formations between the school buildings. A walk around the perimeter offers the best view of the remaining fortification traces still visible in the hillside contours.
Portuguese missionary Luís de Almeida described the site in the 16th century as one of the finest structures of the time, particularly impressed by the white walls and well-kept gardens. His records offer today a rare European perspective on the architecture of that era.
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