Remains of the dry moat at Hara Castle, photograph by Matthew Allison, 4 October 2025.
A dry moat that protected the inner ward of Hara Castle, Minamishimabara. Although the castle itself is now gone, this dry moat, which has widened due to erosion since the castle's construction in 1604, remains as a reminder of the area's history, one steeped in rebellion and blood after the Shimabara Rebels occupied the fortification to make their final stand against the Tokugawa Shogunate (military dictatorship). Initially more than 10 meters (33 ft) deep and 39 meters (128 ft) wide, this dry moat once housed many small, hastily constructed buildings during the rebel's time in the castle.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Allison, M. (2026, March 16). Remains of the Dry Moat at Hara Castle. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21605/remains-of-the-dry-moat-at-hara-castle/
Chicago Style
Allison, Matthew. "Remains of the Dry Moat at Hara Castle." World History Encyclopedia, March 16, 2026. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21605/remains-of-the-dry-moat-at-hara-castle/.
MLA Style
Allison, Matthew. "Remains of the Dry Moat at Hara Castle." World History Encyclopedia, 16 Mar 2026, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21605/remains-of-the-dry-moat-at-hara-castle/.
