Minowa Castle Ruins, Takasaki.

“Minowa Castle is located on a 30-metre-high hill at the end of a long ridge which extends from Mount Haruna southwest towards former Misato town in the northwestern part of Takasaki. This area was located on the Nakasendō highway towards Shinano Province to the west and also on the Mikuni Kaidō towards Echigo Province to the north. The castle, protected on one side by a deep valley created by the Shirakawa River and on its long, narrow hill, commanded both strategic roads. The castle extends over an area 1200 metres long by 400 metres wide orientated north and southward, having two small ridges at its south end. Roughly the castle consists of three concentric layers of enclosures. The main gate of the castle originally existed at the southwestern edge of the hill, but later a huge masugata-style gate was built next to the river.”

NB. Masugata means “square measuring box”. It is “a square enclosed by an earthen embankment, stone wall, moat or gates used to protect a castle entrance and to gather cavalry forces out of sight of enemy forces. The masugata generally includes two gates at right angles to each other, preventing direct entry to the castle.”