五稜郭を英語で説明・紹介するための基本情報と、英会話に役立つ表現をシンプルでわかりやすい英語で紹介します。
英会話ダイアローグ・概要・10の質問を通して、五稜郭に関する英語表現を学びます。
英語
英会話ダイアローグを読む前に知っておくと良い前提知識と情報です。
- 歴史的背景
- 箱館戦争（1868-1869年）：明治維新期の内戦で、新政府軍と旧幕府軍の最後の戦い
- 土方歳三：新選組の副長として有名な武将で、箱館戦争で戦死
- 榎本武揚：旧幕府軍のリーダーで、箱館戦争後、のちに明治政府で活躍
- 建築的特徴
- 西洋式城郭：日本の伝統的な城とは異なり、フランスのヴォーバン様式を採用
- 星形要塞：砲撃戦に適した設計で、死角が少ない近代的な防御施設
- 設計者の武田斐三郎：幕府の軍事技術者で、西洋の築城技術を学んだ
- 観光地としての特徴
- 五稜郭タワー：高さ107メートルで、上空から星形を一望できる
- 桜の名所：約1,600本の桜が咲く北海道有数の花見スポット
- 冬のイルミネーション「五稜星の夢」 : 堀がライトアップされ、幻想的な雰囲気になる
2人が五稜郭についての話しています。
五稜郭の歴史的背景、幕末の箱館戦争での役割、星形要塞としての独特な構造、土方歳三の最期、観光地としての魅力などを話題にしています。
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been thinking about taking a trip to Hokkaido. Have you ever been to Goryokaku?
Yeah, I’ve been there once! It’s a really unique place, unlike any other fortress in Japan. Why do you want to go there?
Well, I love history, and I heard Goryokaku was the site of the last samurai battle. That sounds pretty exciting!
That’s right! It was the final battle of the Boshin War in 1868–1869, where the old shogunate army fought against the new Meiji government. The battle ended the samurai era.
Wow, that must have been intense. So, was it a traditional Japanese castle?
Not at all. Goryokaku is actually a Western-style star fort, designed by Takeda Ayasaburo, a military engineer. It was based on French fortress designs, not traditional Japanese castles.
Oh, I thought it was influenced by Dutch forts.
Well, both the Dutch and the French built star forts, but Goryokaku’s design was more inspired by French military architecture.
Interesting! Why did they make it a star shape?
The star shape helped reduce blind spots, so soldiers could defend from all angles. It was much stronger against modern artillery than Japanese castles, which were mostly designed for close combat.
That makes sense. And the battle there… who was involved?
The leader of the old shogunate army was Enomoto Takeaki, and one of the most famous fighters was Hijikata Toshizo from the Shinsengumi.
Oh, I’ve heard of Hijikata! He was like a legendary samurai, right?
Exactly. He fought until the very end but was shot and killed near Goryokaku. There’s a memorial stone inside the park where people still honor him today.
That’s pretty dramatic. So, what’s there to see now?
The fort itself is now Goryokaku Park, surrounded by 1,600 cherry trees, making it one of Hokkaido’s top hanami spots in spring.
That sounds beautiful! I’d love to see it during cherry blossom season.
You should also visit Goryokaku Tower. It’s 107 meters tall, and from the top, you get an amazing bird’s-eye view of the star shape.
Oh, that must be the best way to see its full design! What about in winter?
In winter, they have a special illumination event called Hoshi no Yume (Dream of Stars). They light up the moat, making the star shape glow at night. It looks magical.
That sounds like something I’d love to see!
Yeah, Goryokaku is a great place no matter what season you visit. It’s full of history, and the scenery is amazing.
I’m convinced! Let’s plan a trip together.
Sounds great! Hokkaido, here we come!
概要 / Overview
「五稜郭」について、理解を深めるための「英語での概要」です。
五稜郭
Introduction
Goryokaku is a historic fortress in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. It is famous for its unique star shape and important role in Japanese history. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction with beautiful cherry blossoms and a tall observation tower.
History of Goryokaku
Goryokaku was built in 1866 by the Edo shogunate. At that time, Japan was starting to interact more with Western countries. The government wanted to protect Hakodate, one of the first ports opened to foreign trade. They needed a modern fort because traditional Japanese castles were not strong against modern cannons.
The Design and Structure
Goryokaku is Japan’s first Western-style fortress. It was designed by Takeda Ayasaburo, a military engineer. Instead of a traditional castle, he used a star-shaped design based on French fortress architecture. This design helped soldiers defend from all angles, making it much stronger than older Japanese forts. The fortress has a wide moat, and its outer walls are shaped like a five-pointed star.
Goryokaku in the Boshin War
Goryokaku became an important battlefield during the Boshin War (1868–1869), a civil war between the old shogunate army and the new Meiji government. The last samurai army, led by Enomoto Takeaki and Hijikata Toshizo, used Goryokaku as their base. However, they were defeated by the Meiji army, and the samurai era ended.
Goryokaku Today
After the war, Goryokaku lost its military importance and was turned into a public park. Today, it is one of Hokkaido’s top tourist attractions. In spring, the park has around 1,600 cherry trees, making it a beautiful spot for hanami (cherry blossom viewing).
Goryokaku Tower and Winter Lights
Visitors can also enjoy Goryokaku Tower, which is 107 meters tall. From the top, people can see the entire star shape of the fortress. In winter, Goryokaku holds a special illumination event called “Hoshi no Yume” (Dream of Stars), where the moat is lit up with beautiful lights.
Conclusion
Goryokaku is a historical and scenic place that represents Japan’s transition from the samurai era to modern times. Whether you visit in spring or winter, it offers a unique experience with its rich history and stunning scenery.
10の質問 / 10 questions
「五稜郭」について、理解を深めるための「英語での10の質問」です。
1: What is Goryokaku?
Goryokaku is a star-shaped fortress located in Hakodate, Hokkaido. It was built in 1866 by the Edo shogunate and later became an important historical site.
2: Why was Goryokaku built?
The Edo shogunate built Goryokaku to protect Hakodate, one of Japan’s first open ports. It was designed to defend against attacks from foreign countries.
3: What makes Goryokaku unique?
Goryokaku is Japan’s first Western-style star fortress. Unlike traditional Japanese castles, it was designed with a five-pointed star shape to improve defense.
4: Who designed Goryokaku?
Goryokaku was designed by Takeda Ayasaburo, a military engineer. He based the design on French fortress architecture to make it stronger against modern artillery.
5: What was Goryokaku’s role in the Boshin War?
During the Boshin War (1868–1869), Goryokaku was the base for the old shogunate army. They fought against the new Meiji government, but they were defeated, marking the end of the samurai era.
6: Who was Hijikata Toshizo?
Hijikata Toshizo was a famous samurai and vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. He fought at Goryokaku during the Boshin War but was killed in battle.
7: What can visitors see at Goryokaku today?
Today, Goryokaku is a public park with about 1,600 cherry trees. Visitors can enjoy the scenery, visit the Hakodate Magistrate’s Office, and explore the historical site.
8: What is Goryokaku Tower?
Goryokaku Tower is a 107-meter-tall observation tower near the fortress. From the top, visitors can see the entire star shape of Goryokaku.
9: Why is Goryokaku famous for cherry blossoms?
Goryokaku Park has around 1,600 cherry trees, making it one of the best places for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Hokkaido during spring.
10: What is the “Hoshi no Yume” event?
“Hoshi no Yume” (Dream of Stars) is a winter illumination event at Goryokaku. The moat is lit up with beautiful lights, creating a magical night view.
和訳付
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been thinking about taking a trip to Hokkaido. Have you ever been to Goryokaku?
なあキー、北海道に旅行しようか考えてるんだけど、五稜郭に行ったことある？
Yeah, I’ve been there once! It’s a really unique place, unlike any other fortress in Japan. Why do you want to go there?
うん、一度行ったことあるよ！日本のほかの要塞とは全然違って、とてもユニークな場所だよ。なんで五稜郭に行きたいの？
Well, I love history, and I heard Goryokaku was the site of the last samurai battle. That sounds pretty exciting!
俺、歴史が好きなんだよね。それで、五稜郭が最後の侍の戦いの舞台になったって聞いてさ。なんかワクワクするじゃん！
That’s right! It was the final battle of the Boshin War in 1868–1869, where the old shogunate army fought against the new Meiji government. The battle ended the samurai era.
その通り！1868～1869年の戊辰戦争の最後の戦いで、旧幕府軍と新政府軍が戦ったんだ。この戦いが侍の時代の終わりを決定づけたんだよ。
Wow, that must have been intense. So, was it a traditional Japanese castle?
うわ、それは壮絶だっただろうな。で、五稜郭って普通の日本のお城だったの？
Not at all. Goryokaku is actually a Western-style star fort, designed by Takeda Ayasaburo, a military engineer. It was based on French fortress designs, not traditional Japanese castles.
全然違うよ。五稜郭は西洋式の星形要塞で、軍事技術者の武田斐三郎が設計したんだ。フランスの要塞設計を基にしていて、伝統的な日本の城とは違うんだよ。
Oh, I thought it was influenced by Dutch forts.
へえ、オランダの要塞の影響を受けてるのかと思ってた。
Well, both the Dutch and the French built star forts, but Goryokaku’s design was more inspired by French military architecture.
まあ、オランダもフランスも星形要塞を作ってたけど、五稜郭は特にフランスの軍事建築から影響を受けてるんだ。
Interesting! Why did they make it a star shape?
なるほど！でもなんで星形にしたの？
The star shape helped reduce blind spots, so soldiers could defend from all angles. It was much stronger against modern artillery than Japanese castles, which were mostly designed for close combat.
星形にすることで死角を減らせるから、どの方向から攻撃されても守りやすいんだ。それに、日本の城は近接戦闘向けだったけど、五稜郭は近代的な砲撃戦にも対応できるように作られてたんだよ。
That makes sense. And the battle there… who was involved?
なるほどね。で、五稜郭で戦ったのは誰だったの？
The leader of the old shogunate army was Enomoto Takeaki, and one of the most famous fighters was Hijikata Toshizo from the Shinsengumi.
旧幕府軍のリーダーは榎本武揚で、最も有名な戦士の一人が新選組の土方歳三だよ。
Oh, I’ve heard of Hijikata! He was like a legendary samurai, right?
おお、土方歳三は聞いたことある！伝説の侍みたいな存在だよね？
Exactly. He fought until the very end but was shot and killed near Goryokaku. There’s a memorial stone inside the park where people still honor him today.
そうそう。彼は最後まで戦ったけど、五稜郭の近くで銃撃されて戦死したんだ。公園の中には記念碑があって、今でも多くの人が彼を偲んでるよ。
That’s pretty dramatic. So, what’s there to see now?
それはすごい話だな。今は何が見どころになってるの？
The fort itself is now Goryokaku Park, surrounded by 1,600 cherry trees, making it one of Hokkaido’s top hanami spots in spring.
要塞は今は五稜郭公園として整備されてて、1,600本の桜の木があるから、北海道でも有数の花見スポットになってるよ。
That sounds beautiful! I’d love to see it during cherry blossom season.
それは絶景だろうな！桜の季節に行ってみたいな。
You should also visit Goryokaku Tower. It’s 107 meters tall, and from the top, you get an amazing bird’s-eye view of the star shape.
それなら五稜郭タワーにも行くといいよ。高さ107メートルで、上から見ると星形がはっきり見えるんだ。
Oh, that must be the best way to see its full design! What about in winter?
へえ、それなら要塞の形が一番よく見えそうだね！冬はどうなの？
In winter, they have a special illumination event called Hoshi no Yume (Dream of Stars). They light up the moat, making the star shape glow at night. It looks magical.
冬には「五稜星の夢」っていうイルミネーションイベントがあるんだ。堀がライトアップされて、星形が光って見えるんだよ。幻想的でめちゃくちゃ綺麗だよ。
That sounds like something I’d love to see!
それはぜひ見てみたいな！
Yeah, Goryokaku is a great place no matter what season you visit. It’s full of history, and the scenery is amazing.
うん、五稜郭はどの季節に行っても楽しめるよ。歴史が詰まってるし、景色も最高だからね。
I’m convinced! Let’s plan a trip together.
もう決めた！一緒に旅行の計画立てようぜ。
Sounds great! Hokkaido, here we come.
いいね！北海道、待ってろよ！
概要 / Overview
五稜郭
Introduction
Goryokaku is a historic fortress in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. It is famous for its unique star shape and important role in Japanese history. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction with beautiful cherry blossoms and a tall observation tower.
五稜郭は、日本の北海道函館市にある歴史的な要塞です。この要塞は、星形の独特なデザインと、日本の歴史における重要な役割で知られています。現在は、美しい桜や高い展望タワーを楽しめる観光名所として人気があります。
History of Goryokaku
Goryokaku was built in 1866 by the Edo shogunate. At that time, Japan was starting to interact more with Western countries. The government wanted to protect Hakodate, one of the first ports opened to foreign trade. They needed a modern fort because traditional Japanese castles were not strong against modern cannons.
五稜郭は、1866年に江戸幕府によって建設されました。当時、日本は西洋の国々との交流を本格的に始めていました。幕府は、外国との貿易のために開港した函館を守るために要塞を作る必要がありました。しかし、伝統的な日本の城は近代的な大砲に対して防御力が弱かったため、新しい要塞が求められたのです。
The Design and Structure
Goryokaku is Japan’s first Western-style fortress. It was designed by Takeda Ayasaburo, a military engineer. Instead of a traditional castle, he used a star-shaped design based on French fortress architecture. This design helped soldiers defend from all angles, making it much stronger than older Japanese forts. The fortress has a wide moat, and its outer walls are shaped like a five-pointed star.
五稜郭は、日本で初めての西洋式要塞です。この要塞は、軍事技術者である武田斐三郎によって設計されました。彼は、従来の日本の城ではなく、フランスの要塞建築を基にした星形のデザインを採用しました。この設計により、兵士たちはあらゆる方向からの攻撃に対応しやすくなり、従来の日本の城よりも強固な防御を実現しました。また、五稜郭には広い堀があり、外壁は五角形の星の形をしています。
Goryokaku in the Boshin War
Goryokaku became an important battlefield during the Boshin War (1868–1869), a civil war between the old shogunate army and the new Meiji government. The last samurai army, led by Enomoto Takeaki and Hijikata Toshizo, used Goryokaku as their base. However, they were defeated by the Meiji army, and the samurai era ended.
五稜郭は、1868～1869年の戊辰戦争において重要な戦場となりました。この戦争は、旧幕府軍と新政府軍が戦った内戦でした。旧幕府軍のリーダーである榎本武揚と、新選組副長の土方歳三が率いる最後の侍たちは、五稜郭を拠点にしました。
しかし、最終的に新政府軍に敗北し、侍の時代は終わりを迎えました。
Goryokaku Today
After the war, Goryokaku lost its military importance and was turned into a public park. Today, it is one of Hokkaido’s top tourist attractions. In spring, the park has around 1,600 cherry trees, making it a beautiful spot for hanami (cherry blossom viewing).
戦争が終わった後、五稜郭は軍事施設としての役割を失い、公園として整備されました。現在では、北海道でもトップクラスの観光スポットの一つになっています。特に春には約1,600本の桜が咲き誇り、花見の名所として人気があります。
Goryokaku Tower and Winter Lights
Visitors can also enjoy Goryokaku Tower, which is 107 meters tall. From the top, people can see the entire star shape of the fortress. In winter, Goryokaku holds a special illumination event called “Hoshi no Yume” (Dream of Stars), where the moat is lit up with beautiful lights.
訪れる人々は、五稜郭タワーからの景色も楽しめます。このタワーは高さ107メートルあり、上から要塞全体の星形をはっきりと眺めることができます。また、冬には「五稜星の夢」という特別なイルミネーションイベントが開催され、堀が美しい光で照らされます。
Conclusion
Goryokaku is a historical and scenic place that represents Japan’s transition from the samurai era to modern times. Whether you visit in spring or winter, it offers a unique experience with its rich history and stunning scenery.
五稜郭は、日本が侍の時代から近代へ移行する象徴となった、歴史的かつ風光明媚な場所です。春に訪れて桜を楽しむのも、冬に幻想的なイルミネーションを見るのもおすすめです。五稜郭は、歴史の深みと美しい景色を楽しめる特別な体験を提供してくれる場所です。
10の質問 / 10 questions
1: What is Goryokaku?
五稜郭とは何ですか？
Goryokaku is a star-shaped fortress located in Hakodate, Hokkaido. It was built in 1866 by the Edo shogunate and later became an important historical site.
五稜郭は、北海道函館市にある星形の要塞です。1866年に江戸幕府によって建設され、その後、重要な歴史的遺跡となりました。
2: Why was Goryokaku built?
五稜郭はなぜ建設されたのですか？
The Edo shogunate built Goryokaku to protect Hakodate, one of Japan’s first open ports. It was designed to defend against attacks from foreign countries.
江戸幕府は、開港した函館を守るために五稜郭を建設しました。この要塞は、外国からの攻撃に対抗できるように設計されました。
3: What makes Goryokaku unique?
五稜郭の特徴は何ですか？
Goryokaku is Japan’s first Western-style star fortress. Unlike traditional Japanese castles, it was designed with a five-pointed star shape to improve defense.
五稜郭は、日本初の西洋式星形要塞です。伝統的な日本の城とは異なり、防御力を高めるために五角形の星形に設計されました。
4: Who designed Goryokaku?
五稜郭を設計したのは誰ですか？
Goryokaku was designed by Takeda Ayasaburo, a military engineer. He based the design on French fortress architecture to make it stronger against modern artillery.
五稜郭は、軍事技術者の武田斐三郎によって設計されました。彼はフランスの要塞建築を参考にし、近代的な砲撃に対してより強固な構造にしました。
5: What was Goryokaku’s role in the Boshin War?
戊辰戦争における五稜郭の役割は何ですか？
During the Boshin War (1868–1869), Goryokaku was the base for the old shogunate army. They fought against the new Meiji government, but they were defeated, marking the end of the samurai era.
戊辰戦争（1868～1869年）では、五稜郭は旧幕府軍の拠点でした。彼らは新政府軍と戦いましたが、最終的に敗北し、侍の時代の終焉を迎えました。
6: Who was Hijikata Toshizo?
土方歳三とは誰ですか？
Hijikata Toshizo was a famous samurai and vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. He fought at Goryokaku during the Boshin War but was killed in battle.
土方歳三は、新選組の副長であり、有名な侍の一人です。彼は戊辰戦争の五稜郭の戦いで戦いましたが、戦死しました。
7: What can visitors see at Goryokaku today?
現在、五稜郭では何を見ることができますか？
Today, Goryokaku is a public park with about 1,600 cherry trees. Visitors can enjoy the scenery, visit the Hakodate Magistrate’s Office, and explore the historical site.
現在、五稜郭は約1,600本の桜が植えられた公園になっています。訪問者は、美しい景色を楽しんだり、箱館奉行所を訪れたり、歴史的な遺跡を探索したりできます。
8: What is Goryokaku Tower?
五稜郭タワーとは何ですか？
Goryokaku Tower is a 107-meter-tall observation tower near the fortress. From the top, visitors can see the entire star shape of Goryokaku.
五稜郭タワーは、要塞の近くにある高さ107メートルの展望タワーです。塔の上から、五稜郭の星形全体を見渡すことができます。
9: Why is Goryokaku famous for cherry blossoms?
五稜郭はなぜ桜で有名なのですか？
Goryokaku Park has around 1,600 cherry trees, making it one of the best places for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Hokkaido during spring.
五稜郭公園には約1,600本の桜があり、春には北海道でも有数の花見スポットとなっています。
10: What is the “Hoshi no Yume” event?
「五稜星の夢」とは何ですか？
“Hoshi no Yume” (Dream of Stars) is a winter illumination event at Goryokaku. The moat is lit up with beautiful lights, creating a magical night view.
「五稜星の夢」は、五稜郭で開催される冬のイルミネーションイベントです。堀が美しい光で照らされ、幻想的な夜景が楽しめます。
words & phrases
英会話ダイアローグと関連情報に出てきた単語・フレーズです（例文は各３つ）。
fortress : 名詞
意味: 大規模で強固な要塞や城塞。A large, strong building or group of buildings used for defense in battles.
（五稜郭は江戸幕府によって防御のために建設された要塞）
例文:
- The old fortress protected the town from invaders.
「その古い要塞は、侵略者から町を守っていました。」 - Goryokaku is a famous fortress with a unique star shape.
「五稜郭は、独特の星形をした有名な要塞です。」 - They built a fortress on the hill to defend against attacks.
「彼らは攻撃に備えるため、丘の上に要塞を建設しました。」
intense : 形容詞
意味: 強烈な、非常に激しい。Very strong, extreme, or serious.
（五稜郭での戦いが激しく壮絶であったことを表現する際に使用）
例文:
- The battle at Goryokaku was intense and fierce.
「五稜郭での戦いは激しく、熾烈なものだった。」 - He felt intense pain in his leg after falling.
「彼は転んだ後、足に激しい痛みを感じた。」 - The competition was intense, with many strong players.
「その競争は非常に激しく、多くの強い選手がいた。」
fort : 名詞
意味: 防御を目的とした比較的小規模な要塞や砦。A small, strong building or military base used for protection.
（五稜郭が日本初の西洋式要塞として建設されたことを説明する際に使用）
例文:
- The soldiers built a fort near the river.
「兵士たちは川の近くに砦を築いた。」 - Goryokaku is not just a fort, but a large fortress.
「五稜郭は単なる砦ではなく、大きな要塞です。」 - The old fort is now a museum.
「その古い砦は現在博物館になっています。」
artillery : 名詞
意味: 大砲や砲撃を指す軍事用語。Large, heavy weapons such as cannons and missiles used in battles.
（五稜郭が日本の城とは異なり、大砲に耐えられるよう設計されたことを説明する際に使用）
例文:
- The fortress was built to resist artillery attacks.
「その要塞は砲撃攻撃に耐えられるように作られていた。」 - Modern artillery can destroy buildings from long distances.
「現代の砲兵隊は遠距離から建物を破壊できる。」 - The soldiers fired artillery at the enemy base.
「兵士たちは敵の基地に向けて砲撃を行った。」
glow : 動詞
意味: やわらかく光る、輝く。To shine with a soft, steady light.
（五稜郭の冬のイルミネーション「五稜星の夢」で、堀が光り輝く様子を説明する際に使用）
例文:
- The lights made the moat glow beautifully at night.
「ライトが堀を照らし、美しく輝かせた。」 - Her face glowed with happiness.
「彼女の顔は幸せそうに輝いていた。」 - The stars glowed in the dark sky.
「星が暗い空で輝いていた。」