PROTECTION
Rings of Defense:
moats: Moats were used as another way of protecting the castle from attack. A moat was a river like structure that surrounded the castle on all sides. This made it very hard for enemy troops to get to the castle because they had to swim. There were often layers of stone walls beyond the moat to add extra protection.(Japanese Castles)
Gates:
There were numerous gates all around the perimeter as points to access the castle. At each access point, there were two gates that formed a right angle together. The gates formed a little yard that was protected by several guards, which overall made it very difficult to get inside.
Castle Towers: Castle Towers were the main defense point of the whole castle. The Castle Tower was positioned in the honmaru. When the castle was under attack, this was the control center for defense. Often the Castle Tower was also the most eye catching part of the castle and was anywhere from two to five stories tall.(Japanese Castles)
Guard Towers: Guard Towers (aka turrets) were installed at the corners of the castle so that guards could more closely monitor the surroundings. These turrets are much smaller than the main Castle Tower but they consist normally of two floors that are heavily armed with guards. (Japanese Castles)
Rings of Defense:
- Honmaru: main circle(in center)
- Ninomaru: second circle
- Sannomaru: third circle
moats: Moats were used as another way of protecting the castle from attack. A moat was a river like structure that surrounded the castle on all sides. This made it very hard for enemy troops to get to the castle because they had to swim. There were often layers of stone walls beyond the moat to add extra protection.(Japanese Castles)
Gates:
There were numerous gates all around the perimeter as points to access the castle. At each access point, there were two gates that formed a right angle together. The gates formed a little yard that was protected by several guards, which overall made it very difficult to get inside.
Castle Towers: Castle Towers were the main defense point of the whole castle. The Castle Tower was positioned in the honmaru. When the castle was under attack, this was the control center for defense. Often the Castle Tower was also the most eye catching part of the castle and was anywhere from two to five stories tall.(Japanese Castles)
Guard Towers: Guard Towers (aka turrets) were installed at the corners of the castle so that guards could more closely monitor the surroundings. These turrets are much smaller than the main Castle Tower but they consist normally of two floors that are heavily armed with guards. (Japanese Castles)