Ōran Castle

Ōran Castle [尬里莽; おうらん・がり] is a castle located in the city of Ōran in Ganyama Prefecture. It was constructed in the mid-12th century by the Mei clan, and was intended to be given as a form of property reward to chiefs of loyal vassal clans. The clans who inhabited Ōran Castle were often those favoured most highly by the Mei chief, and therefore had the second-most amount of power in the region.
Ōran Castle was often disputed by warring vassals who felt that they deserved it more than another clan. Numerous conflicts, such as the Battle of Heisaichi in 1611, centred around who would gain control of the castle and the surrounding town of Ōran. These battles often occurred when the Mei clan was at its weakest, for example, their chief having just died, and their power had waned. The Battle of Heisaichi is most famous for the Yukima clan's attempted incursion of Mei rule. They succeeded in taking over and governed Ganyama for thirteen years, before they were once again overthrown by Mei no Ryōdai and his army.
Category:Castles & Forts