Mino Castle (mino-gakoi) is a compact King-safety structure commonly used by Ranging Rook. This guide fixes Sente at the bottom: the King castles on the right, away from a Rook that has moved left.
Reference Shape
The basic reference has the King on 2h, Silver on 3h, and a Gold on 4i. The second Gold often remains on 6i until the position shows where it is needed. Mino is a family of related shapes, so actual move orders vary.
Legal Construction Milestones
- Move the Rook away from 2h before the King needs that square.
- When the position permits, move the King along 5i-4h-3h-2h.
- Move the Silver from 3i to 3h after the King has passed through 3h.
- Keep the Gold on 4i as the base of the castle.
These are Sente-side milestones, not a forced sequence. The opponent’s threats can change the order or require you to stop castling.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Mino is efficient and resistant to many side attacks. Its common pressure points include the King-side edge, attacks from above, and tactics that separate the 3h Silver from the 4i Gold. Do not assume a completed shape is safe against every attack direction.
Upgrade Only with a Reason
High Mino improves upper coverage by reorganizing the Golds. Silver Crown raises the Silver to 3g and adds more structure above the King. Each upgrade costs tempi and changes weak squares, so compare the benefit with the opponent’s immediate plan.
Audit the Displayed Defenders
The Silver on 3h protects 2g, 3g, 4g, 2i, and the Gold on 4i. The Gold on 4i protects 3h, 4h, 5h, 3i, and 5i. Those two pieces therefore support each other on 3h and 4i. The Gold on 6i is shown as a reserve defender; in this partial reference it does not directly protect the King on 2h.
The King-side Lance and Knight occupy 1i and 2i. They help define the corner but can also restrict escape squares. Before calling the King safe, calculate checks from the edge, from rank g, and along any newly opened diagonal.
Decide Whether to Stop or Upgrade
| Evidence | Practical decision |
|---|---|
| The opponent has a forcing check or capture. | Answer the threat before adding another castle move. |
| The upper Gold can move without opening a decisive line. | Compare High Mino with an immediate attacking move. |
| The 3g square is stable and the edge is not collapsing. | Evaluate Silver Crown; do not treat it as mandatory. |
This page describes the displayed Sente reference, not a universal move order. The Japan Shogi Association beginner castle material shows that castles and attacking formations are paired by position, while the current playing rules define legal movement and check.
