Obama Domain Battery Sites
Obama Domain Battery (小浜藩台場跡, Obama-han Hōdai-ato) was a series of 30 Bakumatsu period coastal artillery battery sites erected by Obama Domain on the Sea of Japan coast along what is now the coasts of the city of Obama and town of Ōi in the Hokuriku region of northern Japan. The sites were collectively designated a National Historic Site in 2001.[1]
小浜藩台場跡 | |
 Obama Domain Battery Site (Matsugase) | |
 .svg.png.webp){kind=icon} Obama Domain Battery Sites  Obama Domain Battery Sites (Japan) | |
| Location | Obama, Fukui, Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Hokuriku region |
| Coordinates | 35°31′58.12″N 135°39′58.36″E (Matsugase) |
| Type | fortification |
| History | |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Abandoned | 1871 |
| Periods | Bakumatsu |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | National Historic Site |
| Public access | Yes |
Background
In the late Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate was increasing alarmed by incursions by foreign warships into Japanese territorial waters, fearing that these kurofune warships of the United States or other Western powers would attempt the end Japanese self-imposed national isolation policy by force, or would attempt an invasion of Japan by landing hostile military forces. Numerous feudal domains were ordered to establish fortifications along their coastlines with shore artillery located at strategic locations. Obama Domain was ordered to erect such fortifications in 1852, two years before the Perry Expedition.
Matsugase Battery
This was a pair of batteries at the entrance to Obama Bay intended to defend the port against a possible attack. Matsugase No.1 Battery faced the entrance to the bay, and had five cannons in a row, behind an earthen rampart which extended for 50 meters. The rampart was in the form of a redan with an open back. The rampart had openings for five cannon. Matsugase No.1 Battery faced the Sea of Japan, and had a bow-shaped earthen rampart with a height of 2.2–2.4 metres (7.2–7.9 ft), faced with stone on its inner and side surfaces, extending for 80 meters. The rampart was also in the form of a redan with an open back. The rampart had openings for two cannon, which were mounted on swivel mounts. The site is located within the grounds of a public campground, and replica cannon have been installed.
Nokogirizaki Battery
The site was discovered in 1994 and was added to the National Historic Site listing in 2004. It consists of five box-shaped ramparts with open rears, surrounding two box-shaped ramparts in the centre. As the site is within the grounds of the Ōi Nuclear Power Plant, public access is prohibited.
Kawasaki Battery
The battery was built in 1854 and consists of seven locations in the inner bay close to Obama Castle, with mountings for a total of 55 cannon.
References
- "小浜藩台場跡 / 松ヶ瀬台場跡 / 鋸崎台場跡" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.