* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Kii Castle
基肄城
Kii Castle is a historic castle in Kyūshū dating from the Built in 665 (Tenji 4), whose lord was The Yamato court (built for the defense of the Dazaifu government office; garrisoned by sakimori frontier guards).
Overview
Overview
Kii Castle is an ancient mountain fortress built on Mount Kiyama (404m), straddling Kiyama Town in Saga Prefecture and Chikushino City in Fukuoka Prefecture. It was constructed in 665 CE, the same year as Ōno Castle, as part of the Yamato court's defense of the Dazaifu administrative center in northern Kyushu, and its construction is recorded in the Nihon Shoki.
Historical Background
After the Yamato-Baekje allied forces were defeated by the Tang-Silla coalition at the Battle of Baekgang in 663, the Yamato court reinforced the defenses of northern Kyushu against potential invasion. Kii Castle, together with Ōno Castle and the Mizuki earthwork, formed part of the defensive line protecting Dazaifu, and continental fortification techniques brought by Baekje refugee engineers are believed to have been used.
Scale and Structure
The castle encloses a valley with roughly 3.9 kilometers of ramparts, covering an area of about 60 hectares — a "valley-enclosing" mountain castle. Most of the walls consist of earthen ramparts following the ridgeline, while stone ramparts close off the valley sections. Four gate sites (including estimated locations) have been confirmed, and the water-gate outlet is said to be among the largest of its kind in Japan; no other ancient mountain castle in the country is known to have four or more drainage structures on a single stone-wall face.
Present Condition
Excavations have identified the foundation-stone remains of about 40 buildings. Earthen ramparts, stone ramparts, gate sites, the water gate, and foundation stones remain in good condition.
Cultural Property Status
On March 20, 1954, the site was designated a National Special Historic Site together with Ōno Castle. In 2017 it was selected as No. 184 of the Continuation of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
Connection to Swords
Highlights
- An ancient mountain fortress built in 665, together with Ōno Castle, to defend Dazaifu after the defeat at the Battle of Baekgang in 663
- A "valley-enclosing" mountain castle with about 3.9 kilometers of ramparts surrounding the valley, covering roughly 60 hectares
- The water-gate outlet is among the largest of its kind in Japan; it is the only known ancient mountain castle with four or more drainage structures on a single stone-wall face
- Foundation-stone remains of about 40 buildings have been confirmed; earthen ramparts, stone ramparts, gates, and the water gate survive in good condition
- Designated a National Special Historic Site together with Ōno Castle; selected as No. 184 in the Continuation of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.