総そう構がまえ

noun

outermost castle enclosure; outer fortifications including the castle town

Historical term referring to the large-scale defensive perimeter of a Japanese castle that enclosed not only the castle itself but also the surrounding town (jōkamachi). Used in descriptions of castle architecture and history.

• 小お田だ原わら城じょうの総そう構がまえは、城じょう下か町まち全ぜん体たいを囲かこむ大だい規き模ぼなものでした。

  The sōgamae of Odawara Castle was a large-scale structure that enclosed the entire castle town.

• 戦せん国ごく時じ代だいの城しろには、総そう構がまえと呼よばれる外がい郭かくが設もうけられることがあった。

  Castles of the Warring States period sometimes had an outer enclosure called sōgamae.