Trenches

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(Redirected from Dry Moats)

Trenches / 空堀

This is a subtype of Features

The term karabori Trenches in general covers a wide range of trench like fortifications around castles and may also be called trenches, ditches, empty moats, or dry moats in English. Karabori are dug to prevent attackers from easily entering or moving around a castle. There are also various subtypes depending on the location in the castle and orientation such as horizontal, vertical or across a mountain ridge. There are also subtypes depending on structure like unebori and shouji-bori.Property "Glossary-Definition" (as page type) with input value "dug to prevent attackers from easily entering or moving around a castle. There are also various subtypes depending on the location in the castle and orientation such as horizontal, vertical or across a mountain ridge. There are also subtypes depending on structure like unebori and shouji-bori." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. In flatland castles they are often similar in structure to water moats but without the water. Both water moats or dry trenches have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. For example, it can be harder for intruders to hide in a dry moat and there no natural water sounds that might disguise entry. The slick clay sides of many castles in the Kanto region were especially slippery and difficult to climb. I have had a difficult time even in hiking boots getting up only slight slope where there is no grass for traction. On the other hand, water moats, where feasible, can be a good psychological deterrent. Attackers don't know how deep they are or what is underneath. A wet intruder will likely leave a trail and they will need to expend more energy to get across.

When you see photos or visit these locations yourself you may think that these trenches are shallow and would not be much of a deterrent but keep in mind that they have filled with leaves and dirt and have been eroded significantly over the last 400 years. What is now a meter or less deep may have been two or three times that deep at one time.

Some terms related to trenches that you may see include:


Horikiri (堀切)

This is a deep trench cut across a mountain ridge to impede attackers from easily climbing the ridge. You see a lot of these on the path to mountaintop castles and it's usually the first sign that you've entered a castle. Unless there are signs to point them out or you are familiar with seeing horikiri you might not notice them at all. But, if you think about it, such a sudden steep dip in a ridge is very unnatural.

Kuma4.jpg Washio26.jpg


Yokobori (横堀)

A horizontal trench across a slope or mountain. It can also provide an easier route for defenders to cross a slope.

Koshigoe9.jpg Iwabitsu33.jpg


Tatebori (竪堀)

A vertical trench running down a slope. It can be used to impede attackers from easily crossing a slope and can force them into a kill zone.

Iwabitsu34.jpg Haibara16.jpg


Unejotatebori (畝状竪堀)

Several parallel tatebori across one slope on a mountaintop castle. They may be difficult to see if the are on a steep side of the castle that you cannot get to.

Jofukuji26.jpg Kuma23.jpg


Shojibori (障子堀)

A wider trench with square depressions carved out. It forces attackers to either walk the narrow ridges and be easily fired upon or scale up and down the slick clay walls putting them in vulnerable positions and using a lot of physical energy. These are often attributed to the Hojo but the Hideyoshi's Osaka Castle had great shojibori too. Unfortunately you can not longer see them. The only really good shojibori you can see today are at Yamanaka Castle in Shizuoka but many more have been excavated and reburied over the years.

Yamanaka7.jpg Yamanaka8.jpg


Unebori (畝堀)

A trench with ridges across them. This is similar in design to the shojibori but instead of a "waffle" like design it is only a single row of dugout depressions.

Kawamura3.jpg Kawamura9.jpg


Empty Moats (空堀)

These are the moats you are more likely to see at flatland castles. They are similar in size and shape to water moats but without the water.

Nagoya11.jpg Sakura2.jpg Osaka22.jpg

Castles with Trenches
  1. Aiki Castle (Minochi)
  2. Akagi Kita Castle
  3. Akagi Minami Castle
  4. Akaiwa Castle
  5. Akasu Castle (Ina)
  6. Akatsuka Castle
  7. Akayama Jin'ya
  8. Akechi Castle
  9. Akechi Osayama Castle
  10. Akiba Fort (Azumi)
  11. Akiyoshi Fort
  12. Akizuki Castle
  13. Akutagawasan Castle
  14. Amabiki Castle
  15. Amagata Castle
  16. Amanari Castle
  17. Ametoya Castle
  18. Amidagamine Castle (Yamashiro)
  19. Ansho Castle
  20. Aoiyama Castle
  21. Aoki Castle (Azumi)
  22. Aoyagi Castle
  23. Aoyama Castle
  24. Aoyama Castle (Nagato)
  25. Aoyama Castle (Omi)
  26. Ara Castle (Ina)
  27. Ara Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
  28. Aragaito Fort
  29. Araihara Castle
  30. Arashi Castle
  31. Aratoshou Castle
  32. Arikoyama Castle
  33. Aruga Castle
  34. Asaba Castle
  35. Asahi Castle (Chikuma)
  36. Asahi Castle (Owari)
  37. Asahi Moated Settlement
  38. Asahiyama Castle
  39. Asahiyama Castle (Kai)
  40. Asaka Castle (Chikuma)
  41. Asakura Yakata
  42. Ashigara Castle
  43. Ashikaga Masauji Yakata
  44. Ashinoya Jin'ya
  45. Asonuma Castle
  46. Asuke Castle
  47. Awaji Castle (Chikuma)
  48. Awaya Yakata
  49. Awazawa Castle (Suwa)
  50. Ayukawa Castle (Koka)
  51. Azuchi Castle
  52. Baba Yashiki
  53. Banba Castle
  54. Binmanji Castle
  55. Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
  56. Bitchu Takamatsu Castle
  57. Bodaiyama Castle
  58. Bue Yakata (Totomi)
  59. Chausudate
  60. Chausuyama Castle (Nukata)
  61. Chausuyama Castle (Shinano)
  62. Chausuyama Fort
  63. Chigasaki Castle
  64. Chihaya Castle
  65. Chikaoka Castle
  66. Chikatou Fort
  67. Chikusa Castle
  68. Chouja Yashiki (Totomi)
  69. Choujayama Castle
  70. Choujayashiki Yakata
  71. Daikan Yashiki
  72. Daikan'yashiki Castle
  73. Dainenji Yakata
  74. Daita Castle
  75. Damine Castle
  76. Deura Castle
  77. Dodo Fort
  78. Dokyou Castle
  79. Dota Castle (Mino)
  80. Dousawa Fort
  81. Eboshigata Castle
  82. Echizen Ohno Castle
  83. Egawa Fort
  84. Ema Yakata
  85. Enryakuji Higashitani Fort
  86. Enryakuji Kitatani Fort
  87. Enryakuji Nishitani Fort
  88. Fubukikaito Castle (Ina)
  89. Fuchu Castle (Hitachi)
  90. Fujihashi Castle (Tokyo)
  91. Fujita Castle
  92. Fukakusa Yakata
  93. Fukayama Castle (Suruga)
  94. Fukazawa Castle
  95. Fukigabora Castle
  96. Fukui Castle (Shinano)
  97. Fukuju Fort (Odani Castle)
  98. Fukushima Castle (Kiso)
  99. Fukuyo Castle
  100. Fumimichi Castle
  101. Funagatayama Castle
  102. Funaoka Castle
  103. Funaokayama Castle
  104. Funayama Castle
  105. Furujiro Fort
  106. Furujouyama Castle (Hanishina)
  107. Furumiya Castle
  108. Furumiya Castle (Kai)
  109. Furuwatari Castle
  110. Fusumada Castle
  111. Futamata Castle
  112. Futatsugi Castle (Azumi)
  113. Futoge Castle
  114. Futoh'yama Castle
  115. Futsukamachi Castle
  116. Ganjaku Castle
  117. Ganryakuji Castle
  118. Gassan Toda Castle
  119. Genbao Castle
  120. Gentairi Castle
  121. Gifu Castle
  122. Gion Castle
  123. Gobara Castle
  124. Goi Castle (Mikawa)
  125. Gokan Castle
  126. Gongen Yakata
  127. Gongen'yama Castle (Mino)
  128. Goryu Castle
  129. Gouda Fort
  130. Goudo Castle
  131. Haba Castle
  132. Habauehori Yashiki
  133. Habu Castle
  134. Hachigata Castle
  135. Hachikenchōja Castle
  136. Hachiman'yama Castle (Tanba)
  137. Hachimanpara Jinsho
  138. Hachioji Castle
  139. Hadanashi Castle
  140. Hadanashiyama Castle
  141. Hagi Castle
  142. Hagikura Fort
  143. Hagiwarasuwa Castle
  144. Haguro Castle (Owari)
  145. Haibara Castle
  146. Hajoudoko Castle
  147. Hakii Yakata
  148. Hakota Castle (Kozuke)
  149. Hakoyama Castle (Takai)
  150. Hakusan Castle
  151. Hakusan Castle (Harima)
  152. Hamada Castle
  153. Hamagawa Castle
  154. Hanagoya Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
  155. Hanamaki Castle
  156. Hanaoka Castle (Azumi)
  157. Hanaoka Castle (Saku)
  158. Hanasaki Castle (Tsuru)
  159. Hanawa Castle
  160. Hanazono Castle
  161. Hanazono Mitake Castle
  162. Haneo Castle
  163. Hannyaji Castle
  164. Harano Castle (Suwa)
  165. Haranomoto Castle
  166. Haruyamako Castle
  167. Haruyamaoh Castle
  168. Hasedo Castle
  169. Hatada Castle (Omi)
  170. Hatakenaka Yakata
  171. Hatayama Castle
  172. Hatsuzawa Castle
  173. Hattori Castle (Koka)
  174. Hayaotoshi Castle
  175. Hayashikojo Castle
  176. Hayashiohjo Castle
  177. Hekirichi Jinya
  178. Hekitani Castle
  179. Hida Castle (Omi)
  180. Higashi Goma Castle
  181. Higashi Maruoka Castle (Koka)
  182. Higashi Sakabe Castle
  183. Higashijou Castle (Chikuma)
  184. Hijika Castle
  185. Hijiyama Castle (Iga)
  186. Hikaru Castle
  187. Hiki Castle
  188. Hikida Castle
  189. Hikobe Yashiki
  190. Hikone Castle
  191. Hime Castle (Chikuma)
  192. Hime Castle (Hanishina)
  193. Hinode Castle
  194. Hinohara Castle
  195. Hirai Castle
  196. Hirai Kanayama Castle
  197. Hiraide Moated Settlement
  198. Hiraizumi Date
  199. Hirakura Castle
  200. Hirao Castle (Ise)
  201. Hirase Castle
  202. Hirase Kitano Castle
  203. Hirose Castle (Hida)
  204. Hisawa Castle
  205. Hishakuyama Castle
  206. Hitomoshi Castle (Saku)
  207. Hiyama Castle
  208. Hobonishi Castle
  209. Hojo Clan Residence
  210. Honjin'yama Castle (Mino)
  211. Horigane Yakata
  212. Horikoshi Castle
  213. Hoshina Maenoyama Fort
  214. Hoshiyamako Castle
  215. Hosogaya Yakata
  216. Hosokawashiroyama Castle
  217. Houzouji Yakata
  218. Hyakusaiji Castle
  219. Ibarayama Castle
  220. Ibayama Castle
  221. Ibi Castle
  222. Ibuka Castle
  223. Ichiba Castle (Ise)
  224. Ichijodani Castle
  225. Ichijodani Kojo Castle
  226. Ichijodaniyama Castle
  227. Ichinomiya Castle
  228. Iden Castle
  229. Iden Miyanokoshi Castle
  230. Igawa Castle
  231. Iida Castle
  232. Iida Castle (Azumi)
  233. Iida Castle (Totomi)
  234. Iida Fort
  235. Iidako Castle (Totomi)
  236. Iimori Castle
  237. Iimori Castle (Azumi)
  238. Iimoriyama Castle (Asuke)
  239. Iinawa Castle
  240. Iizuna Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
  241. Ijiri Yashiki
  242. Ikarashi Yakata
  243. Ikeda Castle (Mino)
  244. Ikenoshiri Yakata
  245. Ima Castle (Mino)
  246. Imai Castle
  247. Imai Fort
  248. Imaichikami Fort
  249. Imori Castle (Suwa)
  250. Imoto Castle (Omi)
  251. Ina Yashiki
  252. Inamura Castle (Ina)
  253. Inamurafuru Castle
  254. Inokuchi Castle
  255. Inokura Castle
  256. Inoue Castle
  257. Inoue Yakata
  258. Inoue Yakata (Shiga)
  259. Inuinofuru Castle
  260. Inukai Castle
  261. Inuyama Castle
  262. Ioto Castle
  263. Iouji Fort
  264. Isezaki Castle (Sanada)
  265. Ishibashi Castle
  266. Ishibayama Castle (Omi)
  267. Ishida Castle (Mikawa)
  268. Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle
  269. Ishigami Castle
  270. Ishikawa Jouzan Yashiki
  271. Ishimura Castle
  272. Isobe Castle
  273. Isshiki Castle (Omi)
  274. Isshiki Castle (Suruga)
  275. Itazuke Moated Settlement
  276. Itousakaue Fort
  277. Iwabitsu Castle
  278. Iwabuchi Castle (Aida)
  279. Iwadono Castle
  280. Iwahara Castle (Azumi)
  281. Iwaki Taira Castle
  282. Iwakiri Castle
  283. Iwakura Castle (Mikawa)
  284. Iwakura Castle (Owari)
  285. Iwakura Yakata (Mikawa)
  286. Iwakuratouge Castle (Mikawa)
  287. Iwamura Castle
  288. Iwasaki Castle (Hanishina)
  289. Iwasaki Castle (Mutsu)
  290. Iwasakiyama Fort
  291. Iwaya Castle
  292. Iwazu Castle
  293. Iwazushin Castle
  294. Izaki Castle
  295. Izu Nagahama Castle
  296. Izumigashira Castle
  297. Jikouin Fort
  298. Jikouin Yakata
  299. Jindaiji Castle
  300. Jizen Castle (Koka)
  301. Jofukuji Castle
  302. Jouhikage Fort
  303. Joujou Castle
  304. Joumura Castle (Ina)
  305. Joumurafuru Castle
  306. Jounoue Fort
  307. Kaesa Castle
  308. Kagamiyama Fort
  309. Kagohana Fort
  310. Kakegawako Castle
  311. Kakiage Castle (Chikuma)
  312. Kakutsugawa Castle
  313. Kamaenohaka Yakata
  314. Kamagatake Castle
  315. Kamaha Castle
  316. Kamei Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
  317. Kameyama Castle
  318. Kameyama Castle (Azumi)
  319. Kameyama Castle (Mikawa)
  320. Kami Castle (Suwa)
  321. Kamigishimoto Castle (Omi)
  322. Kamimakifuru Castle
  323. Kaminogou Castle
  324. Kamioka Castle
  325. Kamogatake Castle
  326. Kanaiyama Castle
  327. Kanao Yogaisan Castle
  328. Kanayama Castle
  329. Kanayama Castle (Echigo)
  330. Kanazawa Castle
  331. Kanbara Castle
  332. Kanbayashi Castle
  333. Kanegasaki Castle (Iwate)
  334. Kanemaru Yakata
  335. Kaneyama Castle (Mino)
  336. Kanmuriyama Castle (Bitchu)
  337. Kannonji Castle
  338. Kannosan Castle
  339. Karakai Castle
  340. Karasaki Castle
  341. Karasawayama Castle
  342. Karasuyama Castle
  343. Karatoriya Castle
  344. Karidako Castle
  345. Karidaoh Castle
  346. Kariya Castle
  347. Kariyahara Castle
  348. Kasama Castle
  349. Kasane Castle
  350. Kaseyama Castle
  351. Kashiwara Castle
  352. Kashiwayama Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
  353. Kasuga Castle (Ina)
  354. Kasugayama Castle
  355. Kasumi Castle
  356. Kasumiga Castle (Suwa)
  357. Katsumata Castle
  358. Katsunuma Castle
  359. Katsunumashi Yakata
  360. Katsurao Castle (Hanishina)
  361. Katsurayama Castle
  362. Katsuyama Castle (Echigo)
  363. Katsuyama Castle (Nagato)
  364. Katsuyama Castle (Tsuru)
  365. Katsuyama Castle (Yatsushiro)
  366. Kawahara Castle
  367. Kawajiri Castle
  368. Kawamura Castle
  369. Kazurayama Castle
  370. Keirozan Castle
  371. Kemurino Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
  372. Kibune Castle
  373. Kibyu Castle
  374. Kido Castle (Mikawa)
  375. Kikkawa Motoharu Yakata
  376. Kinebuchi Yakata
  377. Kinzan Castle
  378. Kirarazaka Castle
  379. Kirihara Castle
  380. Kiriyama Castle
  381. Kita Kumai Castle
  382. Kita Majino Castle
  383. Kita Wakamiko Castle
  384. Kitaaranami Fort
  385. Kitabatakeshi Yakata
  386. Kitabodaiji Castle (Omi)
  387. Kitano Castle (Ina)
  388. Kitanosho Castle (Omi)
  389. Kitasudayama Castle (Omi)
  390. Kitatsumeno Fort
  391. Kitsune Castle (Azumi)
  392. Kiyomizu Castle (Ina)
  393. Kiyosaki Castle (Echigo)
  394. Kizu Castle
  395. Kobinata Oh'yashiki
  396. Koga Castle
  397. Kogamine Castle (Kyoto)
  398. Kogane Castle
  399. Kogane Castle (Mikawa)
  400. Kohyama Castle
  401. Koibuchi Castle
  402. Koide Castle (Ina)
  403. Koide Yakata (Tanba)
  404. Koike Fort
  405. Koiwatake Castle
  406. Kojima Castle (Hida)
  407. Kokokuji Castle
  408. Kokururi Castle
  409. Kokuryou Castle (Tanba)
  410. Kokuzousan Castle (Aida)
  411. Kokuzousan Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
  412. Kokuzousanminami Fort (Aida)
  413. Kokuzousannanseioneno Castle (Aida)
  414. Kokuzousannishi Fort (Aida)
  415. Komaki Castle
  416. Komaki Castle (Chiisagata)
  417. Komakijou Ohte Fort
  418. Komakikamino Castle (Chiisagata)
  419. Komasawa Castle
  420. Komatsu Castle (Sagami)
  421. Komihanachi Castle
  422. Komori Yakata (Sarashina)
  423. Komoro Castle
  424. Kongouji Castle (Murakami Clan Fort Network)
  425. Konishi Castle (Ina)
  426. Konosumiyama Castle
  427. Koori Nishiyama Castle
  428. Koraku Castle
  429. Korin Castle (Ina)
  430. Koriyama Castle (Hiroshima)
  431. Koromogawa Date
  432. Koshibami Castle
  433. Koshigoe Castle
  434. Kosobu Yakata
  435. Kosodeonzakijinja Castle
  436. Kosuge Castle
  437. Koujin'o Castle
  438. Koumyo Castle
  439. Kounomine Castle
  440. Kouyama Castle (Bingo)
  441. Koya Castle
  442. Koya Castle (Chikuma)
  443. Koyama Castle
  444. Koyama Castle (Kai)
  445. Kozubeta Castle
  446. Kozukue Castle
  447. Kozutsumi Castle
  448. Kubo Castle (Mikawa)
  449. Kubodera Castle
  450. Kubota Castle
  451. Kubota Castle (Nukata)
  452. Kuboyashikishi Castle (Koka)
  453. Kukuri Castle
  454. Kuma Castle
  455. Kumagawa Castle
  456. Kumamoto Castle
  457. Kuno Castle
  458. Kunohe Castle
  459. Kurahone Castle
  460. Kurata Castle (Ina)
  461. Kurita Castle
  462. Kurobane Castle
  463. Kuroi Castle
  464. Kurokawashi Castle (Koka)
  465. Kurono Castle
  466. Kuruma Castle
  467. Kuruma Castle (Hanishina)
  468. Kurumayama Castle (Hanishina)
  469. Kururi Castle
  470. Kushiki Castle (Chikuma)
  471. Kutsukake Castle
  472. Kuwabara Castle
  473. Kuwagatahara Noroshidai
  474. Kuwai Castle (Mikawa)
  475. Kyara Palace
  476. Kyouraishiminbu Yakata
  477. Machimura Fort
  478. Maeda Battery
  479. Majino Castle (Kai)
  480. Makabe Castle
  481. Mamabe Castle
  482. Mamushizuka Castle
  483. Manago Castle
  484. Mariko Castle
  485. Marikoyama Fort
  486. Marune Castle
  487. Maruoka Castle (Koka)
  488. Maruyama Castle (Ina)
  489. Maruyama Douen Castle
  490. Maruyama Fort (Kai)
  491. Maruyama Noutou Castle
  492. Masugata Castle (Minochi)
  493. Masugata Castle (Musashi)
  494. Masugata Castle (Suwa)
  495. Masugata Castle (Takai)
  496. Masugatayama Castle
  497. Masuo Castle
  498. Matsudai Castle (Echigo)
  499. Matsudaira Castle
  500. Matsuida Castle
... further results
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