Karasuyama Castle, Mountain fortress in Nasukarasuyama, Japan
Karasuyama Castle sits on the strategically positioned Hakkosan mountain, stretching along a narrow ridge with multiple fortified sections linked by dry moats and elevated roughly 100 meters (330 feet). The layout creates an extended defensive complex that follows the natural contours of the terrain.
Nasu Sukeshige founded the fortress in 1418, establishing it as the principal residence for the Nasu clan for generations. The family's dominion lasted until 1590, when they were removed from authority.
The fortress earned its name Gagyu-jo, meaning Lying Ox Castle, reflecting a Japanese custom of naming places based on how natural landforms resemble animal shapes. Visitors walking through the site can sense this connection between landscape and nomenclature.
The fortress grounds are accessible via a roughly 15-minute walk from Karasuyama Station, with stone walls and earthen ramparts visible throughout the public park. The terrain is hilly and uneven in places, so sturdy footwear helps navigating the site comfortably.
Unlike the widespread practice of moving fortresses downhill during the Edo Period, this one remained perched on its mountain location, making it an unusual example of a high-altitude castle that kept its original position. This choice offers visitors insights into different defensive strategies of the era.
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