Fushimi Castle was defended by a force loyal to Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern army, led by Torii Mototada.

Knowing of his inevitable defeat, Torii's sacrifice diverted Ishida Mitsunari's attention, and part of his Western army, away from his Nakasendō fortresses, which were attacked by Tokugawa during the siege of Fushimi.

Fushimi was originally built several years earlier, as a luxurious palace for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1596.

Ultimately, a message was sent into the castle tied to an arrow, explaining that the besieging army had taken the wife and children of one of the defenders hostage, and would crucify them unless he betrayed his compatriots.

The wooden floors from Fushimi Castle were moved to a Buddhist temple, Hōsen-in, also in Kyoto, where they were made into a ceiling.