natural defenses; steep place
Refers to a naturally fortified location, such as a steep mountain or cliff, that provides defensive advantage. Often used in historical or geographical contexts.
The castle was built taking advantage of the natural defenses.
This mountain path is known as a place of natural fortification.
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant kanji form using 嶮 (steep, precipitous). Less common than 天険.
Compound of 天 (heaven, nature) and 険 (steep, precipitous). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used to describe naturally defensible terrain.