What is a stereotype of a Japanese castle? Probably, you will imagine Osaka castle or Matsumoto castle that has a stone walls. But actually, the other style of castle making had been at the east side of Japan. Can you imagine how is it like?
Many stone walls were built around castles in medieval Japan. But One of the clan Hojo which was in Sengoku era, built castle in different ways. They made it by earthen wall, and “Shoji” moat. Shoji is traditional door in Japan (below left image.) Because the form of their moat looked “Shoji”, it has been called Shoji moat. It looks like waffles, right?
First purpose to create Shoji moat was to prevent attacking from enemies. They couldn’t proceed easily.
The second purpose is to store water. The water accumulated in this shoji moat was drained to a certain place, which helped to secure drinking water. Building a military facility on top of a mountain is excellent for defense, but it makes it difficult to procure food and drink. It’s very well thought out.
These pictures are captured at Yamanaka castle. This castle was established by Hojo Ujiyasu. This place is one of the most important place for defending Hojo clan’s territory. Because their main castle “Odawara castle” on the territory is nearby. But after central government was almost unified by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Hojo clan became a last clan to resist him. To show off his power, Toyotomi decided attacking Hojo clan using his overwhelming power. He attacked by his army that was more than 200 thousand of men. This Yamanaka castle was one of the battle field in the war. Regardless of this great castle, it was fell by 70 thousand of samurais.
Access
City : Mishima, Prefecture Shizuoka
You will find out how much difficult to attack there if you go there.
The road is blocked by high mountains and steep slopes.DECLINE
