[1] The castle was located atop Mount Shigi, on the border of Japan's Kawachi and Yamato Provinces (today Nara prefecture).

The castle was originally constructed in 1536 by Kizawa Nagamasa, who commanded it on behalf of the Hatakeyama clan, who held the post of shugo of Yamato province.

It was repaired and expanded on in 1559, by Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide, who commanded it on behalf of the Miyoshi clan.

It would grow to be roughly 700m from north to south, and 550m from east to west, and included a four-story yagura (tower or turret).

Shigisan castle fell to members of the Miyoshi clan in 1568, but was recaptured quickly afterwards when the attackers' attention was redirected to the capital by the activities of Oda Nobunaga.