The remains of Hataya Castle are in Yamanobe, Higashimurayama, in Yamagata Prefecture.

In 1600, during the Battle of Sekigahara, the Battle of Dewa took place in Ohu, Yamagata. This fierce battle was fought at Hatayo Castle between the West army, led by Uesugi Kagekatsu, and the East army, led by Mogami Yoshiaki. It was considered the skirmish for the Battle of Hasedojo, which is said to be the Tohoku version of the Battle of Sekigahara.

Eguchi Gohei Akikiyo, one of the generals for Mogami Yoshiaki's army, defended Hataya Castle with just 500 men, fighting off the 20,000 soldiers of Uesugi's army. Eguchi, despite all his efforts, knew he was outnumbered, and finally took his life, as Hataya Castle fell.

Despite the fact that Eguchi lost the battle, his efforts were not wasted, and because he managed to stall the Uesugi army, the East army won the war at Sekigahara while the Uesugi army struggled to capture Hasedojo Castle.

Today, at Chosho Temple at the east foot of Hataya Castle, a grave and memorial stand quietly in honor of Eguchi Gohei Akikiyo and his courage.