In Japanese archaeology, Kodai-sanjō, or “ancient mountainside castle,” denotes a type of hill castle found in the southernmost regions of the mainland of Japan. They generally can be dated to the 7th-8th centuries. Such castles were often left unfinished, however, this was not the case with Ki Castle. Ki Castle, or Ki-no-Jō in Japanese, was constructed by the Yamato dynasty after its defeat against the united forces of Tang China and Silla. It was designed to defend the mainland from possible invaders. The castle’s name literally means “Demon Castle,” and it…
