Trenches

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Trenches / 空堀

This is a subtype of Features

The term karabori Trenches in general covers a wide range of trench like fortifications around castles and may also be called trenches, ditches, empty moats, or dry moats in English. Karabori are dug to prevent attackers from easily entering or moving around a castle. There are also various subtypes depending on the location in the castle and orientation such as horizontal, vertical or across a mountain ridge. There are also subtypes depending on structure like unebori and shouji-bori.Property "Glossary-Definition" (as page type) with input value "dug to prevent attackers from easily entering or moving around a castle. There are also various subtypes depending on the location in the castle and orientation such as horizontal, vertical or across a mountain ridge. There are also subtypes depending on structure like unebori and shouji-bori." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. In flatland castles they are often similar in structure to water moats but without the water. Both water moats or dry trenches have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. For example, it can be harder for intruders to hide in a dry moat and there no natural water sounds that might disguise entry. The slick clay sides of many castles in the Kanto region were especially slippery and difficult to climb. I have had a difficult time even in hiking boots getting up only slight slope where there is no grass for traction. On the other hand, water moats, where feasible, can be a good psychological deterrent. Attackers don't know how deep they are or what is underneath. A wet intruder will likely leave a trail and they will need to expend more energy to get across.

When you see photos or visit these locations yourself you may think that these trenches are shallow and would not be much of a deterrent but keep in mind that they have filled with leaves and dirt and have been eroded significantly over the last 400 years. What is now a meter or less deep may have been two or three times that deep at one time.

Some terms related to trenches that you may see include:


Horikiri (堀切)

This is a deep trench cut across a mountain ridge to impede attackers from easily climbing the ridge. You see a lot of these on the path to mountaintop castles and it's usually the first sign that you've entered a castle. Unless there are signs to point them out or you are familiar with seeing horikiri you might not notice them at all. But, if you think about it, such a sudden steep dip in a ridge is very unnatural.

Kuma4.jpg Washio26.jpg


Yokobori (横堀)

A horizontal trench across a slope or mountain. It can also provide an easier route for defenders to cross a slope.

Koshigoe9.jpg Iwabitsu33.jpg


Tatebori (竪堀)

A vertical trench running down a slope. It can be used to impede attackers from easily crossing a slope and can force them into a kill zone.

Iwabitsu34.jpg Haibara16.jpg


Unejotatebori (畝状竪堀)

Several parallel tatebori across one slope on a mountaintop castle. They may be difficult to see if the are on a steep side of the castle that you cannot get to.

Jofukuji26.jpg Kuma23.jpg


Shojibori (障子堀)

A wider trench with square depressions carved out. It forces attackers to either walk the narrow ridges and be easily fired upon or scale up and down the slick clay walls putting them in vulnerable positions and using a lot of physical energy. These are often attributed to the Hojo but the Hideyoshi's Osaka Castle had great shojibori too. Unfortunately you can not longer see them. The only really good shojibori you can see today are at Yamanaka Castle in Shizuoka but many more have been excavated and reburied over the years.

Yamanaka7.jpg Yamanaka8.jpg


Unebori (畝堀)

A trench with ridges across them. This is similar in design to the shojibori but instead of a "waffle" like design it is only a single row of dugout depressions.

Kawamura3.jpg Kawamura9.jpg


Empty Moats (空堀)

These are the moats you are more likely to see at flatland castles. They are similar in size and shape to water moats but without the water.

Nagoya11.jpg Sakura2.jpg Osaka22.jpg

Castles with Trenches
  1. Aida Iwabuchi Castle
  2. Aida Kokuzousan Castle
  3. Aida Kokuzousanminami Fort
  4. Aida Kokuzousannanseioneno Castle
  5. Aida Kokuzousannishi Fort
  6. Akagi Kita Castle
  7. Akagi Minami Castle
  8. Akatsuka Castle
  9. Akechi Osayama Castle
  10. Akiyoshi Fort
  11. Akizuki Castle
  12. Akutagawasan Castle
  13. Amabiki Castle
  14. Amanari Castle
  15. Ametoya Castle
  16. Amidagamine Castle (Yamashiro)
  17. Ansho Castle
  18. Aoiyama Castle
  19. Aoyagi Castle
  20. Aoyama Castle
  21. Aoyama Castle (Nagato)
  22. Aoyama Castle (Omi)
  23. Aragaito Fort
  24. Arashi Castle
  25. Aratoshou Castle
  26. Arikoyama Castle
  27. Aruga Castle
  28. Asaba Castle
  29. Asahiyama Castle
  30. Ashigara Castle
  31. Asonuma Castle
  32. Asuke Castle
  33. Awaya Yakata
  34. Azuchi Castle
  35. Azumi Aoki Castle
  36. Azumi Futatsugi Castle
  37. Azumi Iwahara Castle
  38. Azumi Kameyama Castle
  39. Azumi Kitsune Castle
  40. Azumi Mondo Castle
  41. Azumi Nagao Castle
  42. Azumi Nakamura Castle
  43. Azumi Nishimaki Castle
  44. Azumi Nishiyama Castle
  45. Azumi Ogiwara Castle
  46. Azumi Ogura Castle
  47. Azumi Oshino Castle
  48. Azumi Sano Castle
  49. Azumi Shibutami Castle
  50. Azumi Shironomine Castle
  51. Azumi Takisawa Castle
  52. Azumi Tanoiri Castle
  53. Azumi Taya Castle
  54. Baba Yashiki
  55. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
  56. Bitchu Takamatsu Castle
  57. Chausudate
  58. Chigasaki Castle
  59. Chihaya Castle
  60. Chiisagata Komaki Castle
  61. Chiisagata Komakikamino Castle
  62. Chiisagata Nakano Castle
  63. Chiisagata Nakao Castle
  64. Chiisagata Yashima Castle
  65. Chikatou Fort
  66. Chikuma Asahi Castle
  67. Chikuma Asaka Castle
  68. Chikuma Awaji Castle
  69. Chikuma Higashijou Castle
  70. Chikuma Hime Castle
  71. Chikuma Kakiage Castle
  72. Chikuma Koya Castle
  73. Chikuma Kushiki Castle
  74. Chikuma Moto Castle
  75. Chikuma Motoyama Castle
  76. Chikuma Narukami Castle
  77. Chikuma Nishijou Castle
  78. Chikuma Osaka Castle
  79. Chikuma Saruga Castle
  80. Chikuma Sasaga Castle
  81. Chikuma Sasano Castle
  82. Chikuma Sasazawa Castle
  83. Chikuma Takasu Castle
  84. Chikuma Takayama Castle
  85. Chikuma Takeda Castle
  86. Chikuma Tazawa Castle
  87. Chikuma Ueda Castle
  88. Chikuma Uenoyama Castle
  89. Chikuma Yagura Castle
  90. Chikuma Yamazaki Fort
  91. Choujayama Castle
  92. Choujayashiki Yakata
  93. Dainenji Yakata
  94. Deura Castle
  95. Eboshigata Castle
  96. Echizen Ohno Castle
  97. Egawa Fort
  98. Ema Yakata
  99. Enryakuji Higashitani Fort
  100. Enryakuji Kitatani Fort
  101. Enryakuji Nishitani Fort
  102. Fuchuu Castle (Hitachi)
  103. Fujihashi Castle (Tokyo)
  104. Fujita Castle
  105. Fukakusa Yakata
  106. Fukayama Castle (Suruga)
  107. Fukazawa Castle
  108. Fukuyo Castle
  109. Fumimichi Castle
  110. Funaoka Castle
  111. Funaokayama Castle
  112. Funayama Castle
  113. Furuwatari Castle
  114. Fusumada Castle
  115. Futamata Castle
  116. Futoge Castle
  117. Futoh'yama Castle
  118. Ganjaku Castle
  119. Gassan Toda Castle
  120. Gifu Castle
  121. Gion Castle
  122. Gobara Castle
  123. Gokan Castle
  124. Gongen Yakata
  125. Goryu Castle
  126. Gouda Fort
  127. Haba Castle
  128. Habauehori Yashiki
  129. Hachigata Castle
  130. Hachikenchōja Castle
  131. Hachiman'yama Castle (Tanba)
  132. Hachioji Castle
  133. Hagi Castle
  134. Hagikura Fort
  135. Hagiwarasuwa Castle
  136. Haguro Castle (Owari)
  137. Haibara Castle
  138. Hakota Castle (Kouzuke)
  139. Hakusan Castle
  140. Hamada Castle
  141. Hamagawa Castle
  142. Hanamaki Castle
  143. Hanawa Castle
  144. Hanazono Castle
  145. Hanazono Mitake Castle
  146. Haneo Castle
  147. Hanishina Motai Castle
  148. Hanishina Terao Castle
  149. Haranomoto Castle
  150. Hasedo Castle
  151. Hatada Castle (Omi)
  152. Hatakenaka Yakata
  153. Hatayama Castle
  154. Hatsuzawa Castle
  155. Hattori Castle (Koka)
  156. Hayaotoshi Castle
  157. Hayashikojo Castle
  158. Hayashiohjo Castle
  159. Hekirichi Jinya
  160. Hida Castle (Omi)
  161. Higashi Maruoka Castle (Koka)
  162. Hijiyama Castle (Iga)
  163. Hikaru Castle
  164. Hiki Castle
  165. Hikida Castle
  166. Hikobe Yashiki
  167. Hinode Castle
  168. Hirai Castle
  169. Hirai Kanayama Castle
  170. Hiraide Moated Settlement
  171. Hirakura Castle
  172. Hirase Castle
  173. Hirase Kitano Castle
  174. Hirose Castle (Hida)
  175. Hisawa Castle
  176. Hishakuyama Castle
  177. Hiyama Castle
  178. Hojo Clan Residence
  179. Horigane Yakata
  180. Horikoshi Castle
  181. Hosogaya Yakata
  182. Houzouji Yakata
  183. Hyakusaiji Castle
  184. Ibarayama Castle
  185. Ibayama Castle
  186. Ibuka Castle
  187. Ichinomiya Castle
  188. Igawa Castle
  189. Iida Castle
  190. Iida Fort
  191. Iinawa Castle
  192. Ijiri Yashiki
  193. Ikeda Castle (Mino)
  194. Ikenoshiri Yakata
  195. Ima Castle (Mino)
  196. Imai Castle
  197. Imai Fort
  198. Imoto Castle (Omi)
  199. Ina Akasu Castle
  200. Ina Inamura Castle
  201. Ina Joumura Castle
  202. Ina Kasuga Castle
  203. Ina Kitano Castle
  204. Ina Kiyomizu Castle
  205. Ina Koide Castle
  206. Ina Konishi Castle
  207. Ina Korin Castle
  208. Ina Kurata Castle
  209. Ina Matsuo Castle
  210. Ina Matsushima Castle
  211. Ina Minowa Castle
  212. Ina Nagayama Castle
  213. Ina Nakagome Castle
  214. Ina Oguro Castle
  215. Ina Ohkubo Castle
  216. Ina Omotegi Castle
  217. Ina Ou Castle
  218. Ina Ryuugasaki Castle
  219. Ina Shimono Castle
  220. Ina Sokura Castle
  221. Ina Suganuma Castle
  222. Ina Suzuoka Castle
  223. Ina Takada Castle
  224. Ina Tanagi Castle
  225. Ina Tenpaku Castle
  226. Ina Yashiki
  227. Ina Yasuoka Castle
  228. Ina Yoshioka Castle
  229. Inamurafuru Castle
  230. Inoue Castle
  231. Inoue Yakata
  232. Inoue Yakata (Shiga)
  233. Inuinofuru Castle
  234. Inukai Castle
  235. Ioto Castle
  236. Ishibayama Castle (Omi)
  237. Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle
  238. Ishigami Castle
  239. Isobe Castle
  240. Isshiki Castle (Omi)
  241. Isshiki Castle (Suruga)
  242. Itazuke Moated Settlement
  243. Itousakaue Fort
  244. Iwabitsu Castle
  245. Iwadono Castle
  246. Iwaki Taira Castle
  247. Iwakiri Castle
  248. Iwamura Castle
  249. Iwasaki Castle (Mutsu)
  250. Izaki Castle
  251. Izu Nagahama Castle
  252. Izu Ohdairashin Castle
  253. Izumigashira Castle
  254. Jikouin Fort
  255. Jikouin Yakata
  256. Jindaiji Castle
  257. Jizen Castle (Koka)
  258. Jofukuji Castle
  259. Jouhikage Fort
  260. Joujou Castle
  261. Joumurafuru Castle
  262. Jounoue Fort
  263. Kaesa Castle
  264. Kai Asahiyama Castle
  265. Kai Furumiya Castle
  266. Kai Koyama Castle
  267. Kai Maruyama Fort
  268. Kai Yashiro Yashiki
  269. Kakegawako Castle
  270. Kamaenohaka Yakata
  271. Kamagatake Castle
  272. Kamaha Castle
  273. Kamigishimoto Castle (Omi)
  274. Kamimakifuru Castle
  275. Kaminogou Castle (Mikawa)
  276. Kamogatake Castle
  277. Kanaiyama Castle
  278. Kanao Yogaisan Castle
  279. Kanayama Castle
  280. Kanayama Castle (Echigo)
  281. Kanazawa Castle
  282. Kanbara Castle
  283. Kanegasaki Castle (Iwate)
  284. Kanemaru Yakata
  285. Kaneyama Castle (Mino)
  286. Kanmuriyama Castle (Bitchu)
  287. Kannonji Castle
  288. Karakai Castle
  289. Karasaki Castle
  290. Karasawayama Castle
  291. Karasuyama Castle
  292. Karatoriya Castle
  293. Karidako Castle
  294. Karidaoh Castle
  295. Kariya Castle
  296. Kariyahara Castle
  297. Kasama Castle
  298. Kasane Castle
  299. Kaseyama Castle
  300. Kashiwara Castle
  301. Kasugayama Castle
  302. Kasumi Castle
  303. Katsunuma Castle
  304. Katsunumashi Yakata
  305. Katsurayama Castle
  306. Katsuyama Castle (Echigo)
  307. Katsuyama Castle (Nagato)
  308. Katsuyama Castle (Tsuru)
  309. Kawahara Castle
  310. Kawamura Castle
  311. Kazurayama Castle
  312. Kibune Castle
  313. Kikkawa Motoharu Yakata
  314. Kirarazaka Castle
  315. Kirihara Castle
  316. Kiso Fukushima Castle
  317. Kiso Uenodan Castle
  318. Kita Kumai Castle
  319. Kita Majino Castle
  320. Kita Wakamiko Castle
  321. Kitaaranami Fort
  322. Kitabatakeshi Yakata
  323. Kitabodaiji Castle (Omi)
  324. Kitanosho Castle (Omi)
  325. Kitasudayama Castle (Omi)
  326. Kitatsumeno Fort
  327. Kiyosaki Castle (Echigo)
  328. Kobinata Oh'yashiki
  329. Koga Castle
  330. Kogane Castle
  331. Koibuchi Castle
  332. Koide Ara Castle
  333. Koide Fubukikaito Castle
  334. Koide Maruyama Castle
  335. Koide Muraoka Castle
  336. Koide Uchi Castle
  337. Koide Yakushidou Castle
  338. Koike Fort
  339. Koiwatake Castle
  340. Kojima Castle (Hida)
  341. Kokokuji Castle
  342. Kokururi Castle
  343. Kokuryou Castle (Tanba)
  344. Koma Shimizu Yashiki
  345. Komaki Castle
  346. Komakijou Ohte Fort
  347. Komasawa Castle
  348. Komatsu Castle (Sagami)
  349. Komoro Castle
  350. Konosumiyama Castle
  351. Koori Nishiyama Castle
  352. Koraku Castle
  353. Koriyama Castle (Hiroshima)
  354. Koshibami Castle
  355. Koshigoe Castle
  356. Kosobu Yakata
  357. Kosodeonzakijinja Castle
  358. Kosuge Castle
  359. Koujin'o Castle
  360. Kounomine Castle
  361. Kouyama Castle (Bingo)
  362. Koya Castle
  363. Koyama Castle
  364. Kozukue Castle
  365. Kozutsumi Castle
  366. Kubodera Castle
  367. Kubota Castle
  368. Kuboyashikishi Castle (Koka)
  369. Kukuri Castle
  370. Kuma Castle
  371. Kumamoto Castle
  372. Kunohe Castle
  373. Kurahone Castle
  374. Kurita Castle
  375. Kurobane Castle
  376. Kuroi Castle
  377. Kurono Castle
  378. Kuruma Castle
  379. Kururi Castle
  380. Kutsukake Castle
  381. Kuwabara Castle
  382. Kuwagatahara Noroshidai
  383. Kyouraishiminbu Yakata
  384. Machimura Fort
  385. Maeda Battery
  386. Makabe Castle
  387. Mamabe Castle
  388. Manago Castle
  389. Mariko Castle
  390. Marikoyama Fort
  391. Maruoka Castle (Koka)
  392. Masugata Castle (Musashi)
  393. Masugatayama Castle
  394. Masuo Castle
  395. Matsudai Castle (Echigo)
  396. Matsudaira Castle
  397. Matsuida Castle
  398. Matsukura Castle
  399. Matsuo Castle
  400. Matsuo Castle (Mino)
  401. Matsuyama Castle (Gunma)
  402. Matsuyama Castle (Saitama)
  403. Meiseireijin Fort
  404. Mibuno Castle (Iga)
  405. Mikkaichiba Castle
  406. Minagawa Castle
  407. Minakuchi Okayama Castle
  408. Minami Kumai Castle
  409. Minami Majino Castle
  410. Minami Sakaide Castle
  411. Minami Tsuda Castle
  412. Minamoto no Tsunemoto Yakata
  413. Minebata Castle
  414. Minegadou Castle
  415. Minochi Aiki Castle
  416. Minochi Masugata Castle
  417. Minokubi Castle
  418. Minowa Castle
  419. Misayama Castle
  420. Mito Castle
  421. Miyahara Castle
  422. Mizuban Castle
  423. Mizuki
  424. Mochizuki Castle (Koka)
  425. Mochizukishi Castle (Koka)
  426. Mogusa Castle
  427. Momochi Tamba Castle
  428. Morioka Castle
  429. Moriya Castle
  430. Moriyama Castle
  431. Moriyama Castle (Izu)
  432. Moriyama Castle(Owari)
  433. Moroto Castle
  434. Motosakura Castle
  435. Motosu Castle
  436. Mukaihaguroyama Castle
  437. Mumo Castle
  438. Murakami Ara Castle
  439. Murakami Hanagoya Castle
  440. Murakami Hime Castle
  441. Murakami Iizuna Castle
  442. Murakami Iwasaki Castle
  443. Murakami Kamei Castle
  444. Murakami Kashiwayama Castle
  445. Murakami Katsurao Castle
  446. Murakami Kemurino Castle
  447. Murakami Kokuzousan Castle
  448. Murakami Kongouji Castle
  449. Murakami Mochikoshi Castle
  450. Murakami Monomi Castle
  451. Murakami Takatsuya Castle
  452. Murakami Torikoya Castle
  453. Murakami Toyo Castle
  454. Murakami Tsubame Castle
  455. Murakami Tsumi Castle
  456. Murakami Wagou Castle
  457. Murasame Castle (Koka)
  458. Myougi Castle
  459. Nabekura Castle
  460. Naegi Castle
  461. Nagabayashi Fort
  462. Nagahara Castle
  463. Nagaikeyama Fort
  464. Nagamine Fort
  465. Nagashino Castle
  466. Nagoya Castle
  467. Nagurumi Castle
  468. Najima Castle
  469. Naka Castle
  470. Nakahara Yakata
  471. Nakamaki Castle
  472. Nakanojin Castle
  473. Nakao Castle (Yamashiro)
  474. Nakasai Castle
  475. Nakato Castle (Omi)
  476. Nakatou Castle
  477. Namioka Castle
  478. Nanjou Yakata
  479. Narai Castle
  480. Narisawa Castle
  481. Narisawa Noroshidai
  482. Nasu Kanda Castle
  483. Nata Castle
  484. Natsumichi Fort
  485. Nechi Castle
  486. Nechi Kuriyama Castle
  487. Negoya Castle
  488. Nezumiana Castle
  489. Nezumiana Yakata
  490. Niitakayama Castle
  491. Niiya Castle (Kouzuke)
  492. Nijo Castle (Tochigi)
  493. Nirayama Castle
  494. Nishijou Castle
  495. Nishikata Castle
  496. Nishina Castle
  497. Nitchuu Castle
  498. Nochiseyama Castle
  499. Noguchi Yakata
  500. Nomura Castle (Tanba)
... further results
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