Cape Crillon

Lore & Background

In 1808, Mamiya Rinzō was dispatched by the Tokugawa shogunate to survey Japanese territory on Sakhalin. Having arrived at the Matsumae domain outpost of Shiranushi on the southern tip of Cape Crillon, he was directed by local Ainu to a place called Kogohau (コゞハウ) where the remains of rammed earth walls were found. By the early 20th century, the ruins had come to be known as the Shiranushi Earthen Castle. In 1905, there were discovered Matsumae documents suggesting the castle had been built by Imai Kanehira. Current archaeological evidence indicates the castle was a colonial product of the Yuan dynasty. According to the Yuanshi, the general Yangwuludai (楊兀魯帶) crossed the sea and built the castle of Guohuo (果夥城) on Sakhalin.

Reader's Guide

Cape Crillon is the southernmost point of Sakhalin, named by French explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse. A Russian weather station, a lighthouse and a military base are all situated at the cape today. Additionally, the cape is the Russian terminus of the proposed Sakhalin–Hokkaido Tunnel that would connect Japan and Russia by rail. On the western coast of the cape is the rock formation formerly known in Japanese as Kinfugan (金敷岩, literally 'Anvil Rock'). The cape lies 43 kilometres (27 mi) north of Cape Sōya in Japan, across La Pérouse Strait.

Did You Know?

• Cape Crillon was named by Frenchman Jean-François de La Pérouse, the first European to discover it.
• The cape is 43 kilometres (27 mi) north of Cape Sōya in Japan, across La Pérouse Strait.
• In 1808, Mamiya Rinzō was directed by local Ainu to a place called Kogohau, where remains of rammed earth walls were found.
• The ruins at the cape are known as the Shiranushi Earthen Castle; current archaeological evidence indicates it was a colonial product of the Yuan dynasty.
• On the western coast of the cape is a rock formation formerly known in Japanese as Kinfugan, literally 'Anvil Rock'.

Discovery & Geographic Significance

Cape Crillon is the southernmost point of Sakhalin. The cape was named by Frenchman Jean-François de La Pérouse, who was the first European to discover it. In Japan, it is known as Cape Nishinotoro (西能登呂岬, Nishinotoro-misaki). Cape Sōya, in Japan, is located 43 kilometres (27 mi) to the south, across La Pérouse Strait.

Modern Strategic & Infrastructure Role

A Russian weather station, a lighthouse and a military base are all situated at Cape Crillon today. Additionally, the cape is the Russian terminus of the proposed Sakhalin–Hokkaido Tunnel that would connect Japan and Russia by rail.

The Earthen Castle Mystery

In 1808, Mamiya Rinzō was dispatched by the Tokugawa shogunate to survey Japanese territory on Sakhalin. Having arrived at the Matsumae domain outpost of Shiranushi on the southern tip of Cape Crillon, he was directed by local Ainu to a place called Kogohau (コゞハウ) where the remains of rammed earth walls were found. By the early 20th century, the ruins had come to be known as the Shiranushi Earthen Castle. In 1905, there were discovered Matsumae documents suggesting the castle had been built by Imai Kanehira. Current archaeological evidence indicates the castle was a colonial product of the Yuan dynasty. According to the Yuanshi, the general Yangwuludai (楊兀魯帶) crossed the sea and built the castle of Guohuo (果夥城) on Sakhalin.

Cultural Layers & Local Geography

On the western coast of the cape is the rock formation formerly known in Japanese as Kinfugan (金敷岩, literally 'Anvil Rock'). The cape is known in Japan as Cape Nishinotoro (西能登呂岬, Nishinotoro-misaki). The Ainu directed Mamiya Rinzō to a place called Kogohau (コゞハウ).