桂ヶ岡砦跡 | |
 Katsuragaoka Chashi | |
  Katsuragaoka Chashi Shown within Hokkaido Show map of Hokkaido Katsuragaoka Chashi Katsuragaoka Chashi (Japan) Show map of Japan | |
| Location | Abashiri,Hokkaidō,Japan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°1′4.5″N144°16′11″E / 44.017917°N 144.26972°E /44.017917; 144.26972 |
| Type | Chashi |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | Yes (park) |
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TheKatsuragaoka Chashi (桂ヶ岡砦跡,Katsuragaoka chashi ato) is remains of anAinuchashi, located in the Katsuramachi neighborhood of the city ofAbashiri, Hokkaido,Japan. The site was designated aNational Historic Site in 1935.[1][2][3]
AChashi (チャシ also 砦) is theJapanese term for the hilltop fortifications of theAinu. The word is ofAinu origin, fromチャシ (casi,/t͡ɕasi/), which meanspalisade or palisaded compound.[4][5] Over 520chashi have been identified inHokkaidō, mostly in the eastern regions of the island; others are known from southernSakhalin and theKurils.[6][7] Most date largely to the early seventeenth century and their construction may be related to increased competition for resources as a result of "intensification of trade" with the Japanese.[4]
The Katsuragaoka Chashi is located on a hill facing theSea of Okhotsk, and consists of two enclosures, one large and one small, with dry moats, and three cave dwellings. Katsuragaoka Chashi was built by taking advantage of the natural hilly terrain. It is 32.5 meters long and 8.4 meters short, long from east-to-west, surrounded by a natural cliff to the north and double moats on the other three sides. However, rather than a fortification, it is said that its primary purpose was a location where theAinu people met and conducted trade, rituals, andcharanke (negotiations), and the name Charanke Chashi (チャランケ（談判）チャシ). has also been passed down. In theAinu language, it was also called "Ishimesinaichashi" (a fort in a stream where dogs bark when they find bears) and "Rinnaisanoputsunchashi" (a fort at the mouth of the Abashiri River toward the sea).[8]
The site is currently maintained as "Katsura-ga-oka Park." It is about a 15-minute walk fromAbashiri Station on theJR HokkaidoSekihoku Main Line..[8]
