Shimizumon Gate

Shimizumon, or Spring Water Gate, was one of many access points to the castle town along the Senba River, named for a nearby heron spring that fed an adjacent reservoir connected to the moat by sluice gates. Passing through required crossing two separate gateways separated by an inner courtyard. The outer gate faced west in the koraimon style, with auxiliary roofs extending inward. The larger inner gate, facing south, had a watchtower above it and a guardhouse just beyond. Crucially, the inner gate stood at a right angle to the outer one, so attackers could not charge straight through but had to slow and change direction under fire.