Page 7

Diagram #3

陽ノ城: 防戦ノ躰

A Castle designed for Battle¹: Structure of a castle’s defensive measures during battle²


① Kusa-maru Umadashi (草丸馬出)
A blockade in front of the main gate. While it is similar to a shin maru umadashi in shape, it doesn’t share the full advantages.

② #3 (三)
The third compound of the castle housing troops and battlefield weapons. Only one is used, possibly due to this fortification’s small size.

③ Hashi no rankan kōhan (橋ノランカン工板ヲウツベシ)
Bridge with railguards made out of boards of wood

④ Honmaru (本丸)
The main compound of the castle. Note that despite being inbetween both compounds #2 and #3, entrances into it are only through compound #2.

⑤ #2 (二)
The second compound of the castle. In this case there is only one, and it wraps around 3/4 of the main compound.

⑥ Rōkabashi (ロウ下ハシ)
Passageway Bridge

⑦ Hegi Ita (片板)
A type of roofing made with shingles over a bridge

ADDITIONAL INFO
「垰廊下橋竹板ニテモヨケレモ郭ヲ拂タメニヤクラノ心ナリ」

“One should stay vigilant in monitoring the perimeter of  mountain underpasses with boarded crossway bridges”


1) This castle, labeled “Yo no shiro” (陽之城) is the complete opposite of  “In no shiro” (陰之城, page 8). In concept, they are a pair indicated by the use of “陰陽” (in-yo, ying yang).

2) Used during campaigns where clash between the enemy is eminent. While is may sound like this design is defensive, it is actually the opposite, as it is well suited for an army that is intended to meet the enemy head-on.


*NOTE* The following diagram is a duplicate of the original used for the translation project, reproduced by hand. The design and information are the same, but the numbering order has changed to fit with its current presentation.



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