The castle belonged to the Mōri clan, whose capital was the city of Yamaguchi.

Otomo Sorin recaptured the castle in September 1559, but later the Mōri, led by Kobayakawa Takakage and Ura Munekatsu, quickly recaptured the castle.

[1] In 1561, forces under Ōtomo Sōrin attacked the castle in alliance with the Portuguese, who provided three ships between 500 and 600 tons, each with a crew of about 300 and 17 or 18 cannons.

[3] The bombardment permitted the Ōtomo troops to establish themselves around Moji castle.

Ōtomo led an all-out assault on the castle on 10 October 1561, but the assault failed, and the castle finally remained in Mōri possession.