kamae 構

Kamae is an earthen embankment constructed so that it cannot be invaded by an enemy. It has the same meaning as *kuruwa 郭, a general term for a castle compound, but specifically refers to the earthen embankment or earthworks *doi 土居, that surround a fortification, a residence, or the periphery of a town. The term is used in many combinations: for example, a black earth embankment, kurogamae 黒構, a high earthen embankment that does not allow views of the buildings inside the castle; or sukigamae 透構, (also read sukashigamae), an embankment that allows a view of the buildings inside the castle. The enclosure *sōgamae 総構 that surrounds an entire castle town *jōkamachi 城下町.