Trenches

From Jcastle.info

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