Also pronounced houkadai. Also noroshidai
狼煙台 or noroshiba 狼煙場. A fire beacon; a stone platform on which a fire could
be set in order to send signals for rapid communication among strategic castles
or fortifications. During the daytime signals were sent using smoke, while at
night fire was used. The signal fire platforms were constructed on readily observable
mountain summits. For example, Kasuga yamajiro
春日山城 in Niigata prefecture, was the center of a communication network that extended
in every direction. These signal fire sites were comprised of a stone platform
for the signal fire, a dwelling for the guard, and a storehouse for wood. |