Hagi Castle - Sotobori: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:36, 16 February 2025

The Sotobori or outer moat of Hagi Castle is likely to be overlooked by many visitors. They may drop by the North Gate (Kito-no-soumon 北の総門) but forego the rest of this critical castle defense. The Outer Moat connects the bay on the North side of the Castle with the Hashimoto River on the south sid

Hagi Castle - Sotobori

The Sotobori or outer moat of Hagi Castle is likely to be overlooked by many visitors. They may drop by the North Gate (Kito-no-soumon 北の総門) but forego the rest of this critical castle defense. The Outer Moat connects the bay on the North side of the Castle with the Hashimoto River on the south side, effectively cutting off the peninsula at the San-no-maru Bailey. With only three gates across the entirety of the outer moat it was a formidable line of defense. During the day, guards scrutinized all who passed and at night the gates were shuttered and locked.

North Gate (北の総門) This gate has been very well preserved and reconstructed. I like how the stone wall accents to prevent erosion have been restored. The proximity with the Masuda Yagura also highlights how these two structures coordinated the defense of this area. The gate was reconstructed in 2004 for the 400th anniversary of the founding of the castle.

Middle Gate (中の総門) Definitely overlooked by most whose target is the Hagi Museum across the moat. The bridge has some well preserved stonework just below. Across the river there is a crook in the road, some reconstructed clay walls and the reconstructed yagura from the Hagi Museum provides a nice accent to what the gate area defenses may have bene like.

Hiyako gate (平安門) The stone foundation is original to when the castle and gate were built. Originally it had a wooden bridge but was replaced by a stone bridge in the late 1700's. While the bridge is not big, it is rare in that it has no "legs" foundation.

In 1871, the Meiji Government ordered the gates to be destroyed and the Sannomaru was opened to all. This was a very symbolic end to the age of samurai rule in Hagi.

Gallery

North Gate

Middle Gate

Middle Gate ruins

Hiyako Gate

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+|CastleSubpageText=The Sotobori or outer moat of Hagi Castle is likely to be overlooked by many visitors. They may drop by the North Gate (Kito-no-soumon 北の総門) but forego the rest of this critical castle defense.  The Outer Moat connects the bay on the North side of the Castle with the Hashimoto River on the south side, effectively cutting off the peninsula at the San-no-maru Bailey. With only three gates across the entirety of the outer moat it was a formidable line of defense. During the day, guards scrutinized all who passed and at night the gates were shuttered and locked.
+'''North Gate (北の総門)'''   This gate has been very well preserved and reconstructed. I like how the stone wall accents to prevent erosion have been restored. The proximity with the Masuda Yagura also highlights how these two structures coordinated the defense of this area. The gate was reconstructed in 2004 for the 400th anniversary of the founding of the castle.
+'''Middle Gate (中の総門)''' Definitely overlooked by most whose target is the Hagi Museum across the moat. The bridge has some well preserved stonework just below. Across the river there is a crook in the road, some reconstructed clay walls and the reconstructed yagura from the Hagi Museum provides a nice accent to what the gate area defenses may have bene like.
+'''Hiyako gate (平安門)''' The stone foundation is original to when the castle and gate were built. Originally it had a wooden bridge but was replaced by a stone bridge in the late 1700's. While the bridge is not big, it is rare in that it has no "legs" foundation.
+In 1871, the Meiji Government ordered the gates to be destroyed and the Sannomaru was opened to all. This was a very symbolic end to the age of samurai rule in Hagi.
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Hagi Castle - Sotobori: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:36, 16 February 2025

Hagi Castle - Sotobori

Gallery

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