Mizuki: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:37, 13 January 2024

Mizuki is a large defensive structure that cuts across a plain between hills, forming the border between the municipalities of Dazaifu and Ônojō. The long fortification is made up of a wall of piled earth. The earth excavated to form the embankment left a trench which was filled with water, giving t

History

The Mizuki is a 1.2km long, 80m wide, 9m tall embankment and double moat system running across the plain between Dazaifu, once the capital of Kyūshū, and the Hakata Bay area. Constructed in 664, the Mizuki links up Ônojō with mountains opposite - close to where there was a small mountain fort called 'Little Mizuki'. In ancient times this effectively walled-off the flatland approach to Dazaifu. The Mizuki consisted of an inner moat; a wide, gently climbing lower embankment; a tall, steep upper embankment; a berm beyond that; and, finally, the outer moat. Nowadays it is chiefly the upper embankment which is prominent, and the moats are now rice paddies, but the general form remains evident. The part we came to was connected up with a flattened hilltop which in turn climbed on up toward the Citadel Mount of Ônojō. It seems like it might be possible to walk this climbing wall all the way to Ônojō. There was a gate, Higashimon, located here and its foundation stones can still be seen.

Field Notes

Mizuki is a large defensive structure that cuts across a plain between hills, forming the border between the municipalities of Dazaifu and Ônojō. The long fortification is made up of a wall of piled earth. The earth excavated to form the embankment left a trench which was filled with water, giving the site its name. The Mizuki is essentially a long wall which protected Dazaifu, the ancient capital of Kyūshū, along with other surrounding fortifications.

'Mizuki' means 'Water Wall' or 'Water Fortress', the name deriving from the moats which form the structure of Mizuki. 'Ki' is the old reading for 'Castle'. The defensive network around Dazaifu is actually made up of at least seven distinct sites, including Dazaifu itself with its fortified palace and government center. A smaller embankment-wall can be found to the south, Sekiya Dorui (Checkpoint Embankment). Other than Shomizuki, Mizuki, Ōnojō, and the Sekiya Dorui, there were the mountain fortresses of Kiijō and Ashikisanjō. One day I hope to be able to make a full inspection of all of these sites.

A small museum has been built into the embankment at the northern portion of the Mizuki beneath the hill. Why it was built into the earthwork like a bunker I don't know, but I don't approve. The great embankment has further sustained damage in places where modern roads and rail have ploughed through it. However, looking at satellite imagery, a long line of green can still be seen, though perforated in places, bisecting the plain. What was formerly mountainous terrain on the west side of the plain has been flattened / terraced and developed over.

Gallery

Castle Profile
English Name	Mizuki
Japanese Name	水城
Founder	The Yamato
Year Founded	664
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	Ruins only
Designations	National Historic Site
Historical Period	Pre Edo Period
Artifacts	Dorui, Karabori
Features	trenches
Visitor Information
Access	Shimo-Ori Station on the Tenjin-Omuta Line; 10 minute walk
Hours	Museum open 9am-4:30pm, except Mon.
Time Required	60 mins
Location	Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture
Coordinates	33.52211, 130.49884
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2020
Contributor	ART
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed

1.50

(2 votes)

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 |English Name=Mizuki
 |Japanese Name=水城
-|Romaji Name=Mizuki
+|Romaji Name=Mizu-ki
 |Founder=The Yamato
 |Year Founded=664
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |Features=trenches
 |Access=Shimo-Ori Station on the Tenjin-Omuta Line; 10 minute walk
-|Visitor Information=Museum open 9 'til 4:30, except Mon.
+|Visitor Information=Museum open 9am-4:30pm, except Mon.
-|Time Required=One Hour
+|Time Required=60 mins
 |City=Dazaifu
 |Prefecture=Fukuoka Prefecture
-|Notes=A small museum has been built into the embankment beneath the hill. Why it was built into the earthwork like a bunker I don't know, but I don't approve. The great embankment has further sustained damage in places where modern roads and rail have ploughed through it. However, looking at satellite imagery, a long line of green can still be seen, though perforated in places, bisecting the plain. What was formerly mountainous terrain on the west side of the plain has been flattened / terraced and developed over.
+|Notes=Mizuki is a large defensive structure that cuts across a plain between hills, forming the border between the municipalities of Dazaifu and Ônojō. The long fortification is made up of a wall of piled earth. The earth excavated to form the embankment left a trench which was filled with water, giving the site its name. The Mizuki is essentially a long wall which protected Dazaifu, the ancient capital of Kyūshū, along with other surrounding fortifications.
-"Mizuki" means "Water Wall" or "Water Fortress", the name deriving from its moats. "Ki" is the old reading for "Castle". The defensive network around Dazaifu is actually made up of at least seven distinct sites, including Dazaifu itself with its fortified palace and government center. A smaller embankment-wall can be found to the south, Sekiya Dorui (Checkpoint Embankment). Other than Shomizuki, Mizuki, Ōnojō (Ōno-ki?), and the Sekiya Dorui, there were the mountain fortresses of Kiijō and Ashikisanjō. One day I hope to be able to make a full inspection of all of these sites. As it was we had only time that day for Mizuki and Ōnojō.
+'Mizuki' means 'Water Wall' or 'Water Fortress', the name deriving from the moats which form the structure of Mizuki. 'Ki' is the old reading for 'Castle'. The defensive network around Dazaifu is actually made up of at least seven distinct sites, including Dazaifu itself with its fortified palace and government center. A smaller embankment-wall can be found to the south, Sekiya Dorui (Checkpoint Embankment). Other than Shomizuki, Mizuki, Ōnojō, and the Sekiya Dorui, there were the mountain fortresses of Kiijō and Ashikisanjō. One day I hope to be able to make a full inspection of all of these sites.
-|History=The Mizuki  is a 1.2km long, 80m wide, 9m tall embankment and double moat system running across the plain between Dazaifu, once the capital of Kyūshū, and the Hakata Bay area. Constructed in 664, the Mizuki links up Ōnojō with mountains opposite - close to where there was a small mountain fort called "Little Mizuki". In ancient times this effectively walled-off the flatland approach to Dazaifu. The Mizuki consisted of an inner moat; a wide, gently climbing lower embankment; a tall, steep upper embankment; a berm beyond that; and, finally, the outer moat. Nowadays it is chiefly the upper embankment which is prominent, and the moats are now rice paddies, but the general form remains evident. The part we came to was connected up with a flattened hilltop which in turn climbed on up toward the Citadel Mount of Ōnojō. It seems like it might be possible to walk this climbing wall all the way to Ōnojō. There was a gate, Higashimon, located here and its foundation stones can still be seen.
+A small museum has been built into the embankment at the northern portion of the Mizuki beneath the hill. Why it was built into the earthwork like a bunker I don't know, but I don't approve. The great embankment has further sustained damage in places where modern roads and rail have ploughed through it. However, looking at satellite imagery, a long line of green can still be seen, though perforated in places, bisecting the plain. What was formerly mountainous terrain on the west side of the plain has been flattened / terraced and developed over.
+|History=The Mizuki is a 1.2km long, 80m wide, 9m tall embankment and double moat system running across the plain between Dazaifu, once the capital of Kyūshū, and the Hakata Bay area. Constructed in 664, the Mizuki links up Ônojō with mountains opposite - close to where there was a small mountain fort called 'Little Mizuki'. In ancient times this effectively walled-off the flatland approach to Dazaifu. The Mizuki consisted of an inner moat; a wide, gently climbing lower embankment; a tall, steep upper embankment; a berm beyond that; and, finally, the outer moat. Nowadays it is chiefly the upper embankment which is prominent, and the moats are now rice paddies, but the general form remains evident. The part we came to was connected up with a flattened hilltop which in turn climbed on up toward the Citadel Mount of Ônojō. It seems like it might be possible to walk this climbing wall all the way to Ônojō. There was a gate, Higashimon, located here and its foundation stones can still be seen.
 |Year Visited=Viewer Contributed
+|AddedJcastle=2020
 |GPSLocation=33.52211, 130.49884
 |Contributor=ART
 }}