Hagi Castle - Stone Quarries

Hagi Castle was an especially fortunate location for the Mōri clan because Mount Shizuki offered a wealth of high-quality stone for castle construction. The mountain features numerous rocky outcroppings near the surface and large boulders along the seashore, which could be shaped and used to create

Hagi Castle - Stone Quarries

石切場

Hagi Castle was an especially fortunate location for the Mōri clan because Mount Shizuki offered a wealth of high-quality stone for castle construction. The mountain features numerous rocky outcroppings near the surface and large boulders along the seashore, which could be shaped and used to create the extensive stone walls of the castle. What makes Hagi Castle truly unique is that evidence of these stone quarrying activities can still be seen today at both the top of the mountain and along the seashore. While many castles sourced some, if not all, of their stone from the immediate area, Hagi stands out for the sheer number of stones that appear to have been left in the middle of working on them. Seeing this unfinished work is truly remarkable. Nowhere else can you so easily find such abundant evidence of stone quarrying without venturing into remote, hard-to-reach mountain locations with rough terrain.

For those familiar with Jcastle.info, you’ll know I have a particular fascination with the stone quarry remains of castles. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the article on the stone quarries of Edo Castle Stone Quarries. Articles on the quarries for Osaka Castle and Fushimi Castle will also be added someday, so keep an eye out for those in the same section!

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Hagi Castle - Stone Quarries

Hagi Castle - Stone Quarries

石切場

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