Ancient Japanese castle-building techniques
and international relations in ancient East Asia

The 7th century in East Asia was a time of continuous wars between nations. In northern Kyushu, close to the continent, an administrative center for diplomatic purposes, Dazaifu, was established, and many ancient mountain castles influenced by the castle-building techniques of Korea and China were constructed in the surrounding area. In the 9th century, when the wars between nations came to an end, Japan began to subjugate the Emishi, a people of the Tohoku region who refused to submit to the Imperial Court. Fortified castles such as Taga Castle were established as bases on the front lines of this campaign. After the subjugation of the Emishi was over, fortified castles took on the role of administrative institutions, and Japan moved towards unification. These castle-related heritage sites allow us to learn about ancient Japanese castle-building techniques and the history mentioned above.