choujou　長城

KEY WORD :　architecture / castles

Also termed chourui 長塁, bourui 防塁. A long defensive fortification consisting of a continuous, extended earthen embankment or stone ramparts. The most famous example is the Great Wall of China (Jp: Banri no choujou 万里の長城) or Long fortification of 10,000 Chinese miles. In Japan similar fortifications were built during the ancient, medieval and Warring States periods. Examples of different types include the Oushuu 奥州 Mutsu 陸奥, Mt. Atsukashi 阿津賀志, a double earthen embankment 3.2 kilometers long constructed to forestall Minamoto no Yoritomo's 源頼朝 incursions, mentioned in AZUMAKAGAMI 吾妻鏡 (1189). Another example is the stone faced embankment that extends some 20 kilometers along the coast of Hakata 博多 Bay. It was constructed to defend against the Mongol invasions. Construction began in 1276.

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