karabori　空堀
KEY WORD :　architecture / castles
　
A dry moat, usually with a V-shaped cross-section called *yagenbori 薬研堀. The base of the moat was of earth or stone, so in battle enemy soldiers falling into the moat were often killed or injured, whereas in a water-filled moat *mizubori 水堀 they could swim to safety. Dry moats also gave castles a strategic advantage because the enemy could not use boats to approach the walls. Karabori are associated with medieval fortifications, and were large-scale structures. Most mountain castles *yamajiro 山城, had dry moats, but flatland castles *hirajiro 平城, were usually located on low swampy ground so water-filled moats were generally used. An exception is Nagoyajou 名古屋城 a flatland castle built on a plateau: the main ward *honmaru 本丸 is surrounded by a dry moat.
　

Nagoyajou 名古屋城 (Aichi)

　
REFERENCES:
*shoujibori 障子堀
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