石垣(いしがき)

いしがき
noun
stone wall; dry stone wall
1. stone wall; dry stone wall
A wall built by stacking stones, commonly found in castle fortifications, terraced fields, and traditional architecture.
城(しろ)の石垣(いしがき)が美(うつく)しい。
The castle's stone walls are beautiful.
石垣(いしがき)の上(うえ)にトカゲがいた。
There was a lizard on top of the stone wall.
熊本城(くまもとじょう)の石垣(いしがき)は地震(じしん)で大(おお)きな被害(ひがい)を受(う)けたが、修復(しゅうふく)工事(こうじ)が進(すす)められている。
The stone walls of Kumamoto Castle suffered major damage from the earthquake, but restoration work is ongoing.

A compound of 石(いし) (stone) and 垣(かき) (fence, wall). One of the most recognizable features of Japanese castles.

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
石垣(いしがき) are an iconic element of Japanese castle architecture. The technique of building curved stone walls (反(そ)り) that slope outward at the base and curve inward at the top was developed to be earthquake-resistant and difficult for attackers to climb. Famous castle stone walls include those at 大阪城(おおさかじょう), 熊本城(くまもとじょう), and 姫路城(ひめじじょう).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 石垣(いしがき)を積(つ)む — to build/stack a stone wall
  • 城(しろ)の石垣(いしがき) — castle stone wall
  • 石垣(いしがき)島(じま) — Ishigaki Island (in Okinawa)

RELATED TERMS:

  • 城壁(じょうへき) — castle wall; the broader fortification structure
  • 天守閣(てんしゅかく) — castle tower/keep; sits atop the stone walls
  • 堀(ほり) — moat; another castle defense feature
general
Added 2026.3.26 20:46
19500/19673_ishigaki