Aoki Castle (Azumi)

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Revision as of 14:56, 30 December 2021 by ART (talk | contribs)

AzumiAokijou (2).JPG

History

Aokijō was a satellite castle of Kibunejō. Kibunejō is itself a large site, but the ruins of Aokijō are located along a different ridge with intervening elevation in between, and so this is a proper tsumejō, or satellite fort. I've been trying to be more consistent in my translations. Tsumejō I've rendered "satellite castle" whilst shijō would be "branch castle". The former is a fort designed to assist in defence of a larger nearby site, whilst shijō has broader geopolitical conotations, with some shijō being quite far from their parent sites. Tsumejō should be located nearby. See my profile on Kibunejō for more information: Azumi Kibune Castle.


Visit Notes

Aokijō is a sort of Popeye of a castle. The ruins aren’t so big, but the rear is protected by a very large trench (at least ten metres deep) with a well-constructed dobashi (earthen bridge) spanning it to reach the main baily, which is also protected on that side by dorui (earthen ramparts). This incredible defensive feature seems very large for an otherwise small fort, and so in its proportions and power reminded me of that famous sailor’s forearms! The site otherwise features two integral baileys, terraced baileys on the northern ridge, and what may be a tatebori (climbing moat) or dug-out road with embankments to the south. Aokijō is quite the interesting little site.




Gallery
  • Dorui, Dobashi, Karabori


Castle Profile
English Name Azumi Aoki Castle
Japanese Name 安曇青木城
Founder Nishina Clan (probably)
Year Founded Sengoku Period
Castle Type Mountaintop
Castle Condition Ruins only
Historical Period Pre Edo Period
Artifacts Karabori, Dorui, Kuruwa, Ohte
Features trenches
Visitor Information
Access Shinano-Ômachi Station or Minami-Ômachi Station on the Ôito Line; 30 minute walk to trailhead at Jōfukuji
Visitor Information 24/7 free; mountain
Time Required 20 minutes
Location Ômachi, Nagano Prefecture
Coordinates 36° 29' 0.89" N, 137° 52' 59.84" E
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Admin
Added to Jcastle 2021
Contributor ART
Admin Year Visited Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Yogo
Hōrōki


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