Maruoka Domain Battery, Coastal artillery fortification in Mikuni, Japan
Maruoka Domain Battery is a coastal artillery fortification built with a bow-shaped earthen rampart reinforced by stone. The structure sits on an elevated plateau and features five openings designed for cannon placement.
The battery was built in 1852 by the Maruoka Domain to respond to growing Western naval activity off the Japanese coast. Its construction marked a turning point when traditional domains adopted modern artillery defenses.
The fortification shows how local rulers integrated Western military technology into their defenses while maintaining their own building traditions.
The site is easy to reach but sits on elevated terrain that requires time to explore fully. The surroundings offer good views of the coast and panoramas over the water.
Military engineer Egawa Hidetatsu, who had designed the famous Odaiba fortifications in Edo, brought his expertise to this project. His influence appears in the careful arrangement of the defensive structures.
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