Hagi Castle - Sotobori: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:40, 7 March 2025

The Sotobori, or outer moat, of Hagi Castle is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the castle's defenses. While many visitors may stop by the North Gate (Kito-no-soumon 北の総門), they often bypass the rest of this critical defensive system. The outer moat connects the bay to the north of the castle

Hagi Castle - Outer Moat

外堀

The Sotobori, or outer moat, of Hagi Castle is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the castle's defenses. While many visitors may stop by the North Gate (Kito-no-soumon 北の総門), they often bypass the rest of this critical defensive system. The outer moat connects the bay to the north of the castle with the Hashimoto River to the south, effectively cutting off the peninsula at the San-no-maru bailey. With only three gates across the outer moat, it formed a formidable defensive line. Guards carefully inspected those passing through during the day, and at night the gates were shuttered and locked.

North Gate (北の総門) This gate has been meticulously preserved and reconstructed. The gate's proximity to the Masuda Yagura underscores how these two structures worked together to protect this area. The North Gate was reconstructed in 2004 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle's founding.

Middle Gate (中の総門) The Middle Gate is often overlooked by visitors heading toward the Hagi Museum, located just across the moat. The bridge features well preserved stonework just below. Across the river, a crook in the road and reconstructed clay walls hint at the gate area's defenses. The reconstructed yagura of the Hagi Museum adds further context to what the original fortifications may have looked 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 fairly small, it is rare in that it has no "legs" foundation.

In 1871, the Meiji government ordered the gates destroyed, and the San-no-maru was opened to the public. This act symbolized the end of samurai rule in Hagi, marking a new direction in the city's history.

Gallery

North Gate

Middle Gate

Middle Gate ruins

Hiyako Gate

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 {{CastleSubpage
-|CastleSubpageNameEnglish=Sotobori
+|CastleSubpageNameEnglish=Outer Moat
 |Castle=Hagi Castle
+|CastleSubpageNameJse=外堀
 |Subpage Cover=File:Hagicastlesotobori12.jpg
 |Subpage Order=3
-|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.
+|CastleSubpageText=The Sotobori, or outer moat, of Hagi Castle is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the castle's defenses. While many visitors may stop by the North Gate (Kito-no-soumon 北の総門), they often bypass the rest of this critical defensive system. The outer moat connects the bay to the north of the castle with the Hashimoto River to the south, effectively cutting off the peninsula at the San-no-maru bailey. With only three gates across the outer moat, it formed a formidable defensive line. Guards carefully inspected those passing through during the day, 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.
+'''North Gate (北の総門)'''   This gate has been meticulously preserved and reconstructed. The gate's proximity to the [[Hagi Castle - Bukeyashiki Buildings|Masuda Yagura]] underscores how these two structures worked together to protect this area. The North Gate was reconstructed in 2004 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the castle's founding.
-'''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.
+'''Middle Gate (中の総門)''' The Middle Gate is often overlooked by visitors heading toward the [[Hagi_Castle_-_Hagi_Museum_and_Meirinkan|Hagi Museum]], located just across the moat.  The bridge features well preserved stonework just below. Across the river, a crook in the road and reconstructed clay walls hint at the gate area's defenses. The reconstructed yagura of the [[Hagi_Castle_-_Hagi_Museum_and_Meirinkan|Hagi Museum]] adds further context to what the original fortifications may have looked 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.
+'''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 fairly small, 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.
+In 1871, the Meiji government ordered the gates destroyed, and the San-no-maru was opened to the public. This act symbolized the end of samurai rule in Hagi, marking a new direction in the city's history.
 }}

Hagi Castle - Sotobori: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:40, 7 March 2025

Hagi Castle - Outer Moat

外堀

Gallery

Feature Pages