When Nitta Yoshisada started the Battle of Sekido against the Kamakura Shogunate in 1333 (the third year of Genkō), the entire area became a battlefield. It is said that Yoshisada located his headquarters here after his army had defeated the army of Hōjō Yasuie. This is the origin of the name Sekido Tenshudai (Sekido keep tower) and the area around Kompira Shrine in the present-day Sakuragaoka, Tama City is called Tenshudai and the hills surrounding this area are called Shiro-yama (castle hills). Facing the Tama River, the area was also a scenic spot allowing visitors to have panoramic views of the entire Musashino plateau.