Chouja Yashiki (Totomi)
Chōja-yashiki is a Nara period yashiki (fortified residence) site in Teradani Township, Iwata Municipality. The site's earthworks are well preserved / restored despite its antiquity, with a square enclosure ringed by karabori (dry moats) and dorui (earthen ramparts). The dorui is is 100m long east
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History
Chōja-yashiki dates to the Nara period. 'Chōja' just refers to a local strongman or rich landowner, and there are lots of medieval sites with this designation. However, the site is thought to have actually been a yakusho (government office) in the Nara period. Nearby is a kofun complex, and a small kofun was actually incorporated into the construction of the yakusho's earthen ramparts.
In 1975 the sites of pillars for buildings, ancient earthenware, and the ringing moat were unearthed, and the site was identified as being from the 7th or 8th century. The excavated building within the bailey measured over 17m by 5m, quite grand for the time period.
Field Notes
Chōja-yashiki is a Nara period yashiki (fortified residence) site in Teradani Township, Iwata Municipality. The site's earthworks are well preserved / restored despite its antiquity, with a square enclosure ringed by karabori (dry moats) and dorui (earthen ramparts).
The dorui is is 100m long east to west, and 60m long north to south, forming a rectangular enclosure. The dorui is 10m wide at its base, 3m wide on top, and 3m tall. There is an additional row of smaller dorui in front of the entrance to the compound, forming a sort of rudimentary barbican where the moat is spanned by an earthen bridge.
Something very curious about this site is that the moats are on the inside of the ramparts rather than the outside. Earth excavated for moats is usually piled toward the bailey, not away from it. However, this did remind me of some jōsaku sites, a type of fortification from the same period as the Chōja-yashiki. I think it's also quite interesting that there is a large kofun (ancient burial mound) complex nearby, and so the place was likely considered one of importance when choosing a location to govern from even after the transition from Kofun to Asuka and Nara periods.
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| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Chouja Yashiki (Totomi) |
| Japanese Name | 遠江長者屋敷 |
| Founder | Nara Court |
| Year Founded | 7th-8th Century |
| Castle Type | Fortified Manor |
| Castle Condition | Ruins only |
| Designations | Prefectural Historic Site |
| Historical Period | Pre Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Dorui, Karabori, &c. |
| Features | trenches |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Nearest Station is Shikiji Station on the Tenryū-Hamanako Railway |
| Hours | 24/7 free; park |
| Time Required | 20 minutes |
| URL | [website: https://www.city.iwata.shizuoka.jp/sports_midokoro/bunkazai/kenshitei/1002063.html Castle Website] |
| Location | Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.77842, 137.84142 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Shiseki no Yawa | |
| Yogo | |
