Hikone castle
Himeji Castle vs. Hikone Castle; points in common or not common
Himeji Castle is one of World Heritage sites, so we can guess it is famous internationally. By contrast, less is known about Hikone Castle.
These two castles are common in some points and different in other points. We want to organize our thoughts at first.
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| Hikone Castle |
Points in common
Both castles are national treasures of Japan. And they were early modern castles. Therefore they were made in almost same era.
Also they are both Hirayamajiro style or 'castle on a hill' style, and both Tokugawa group's.
Moreover, reason for making were same. It's because to block the connection between the territories of Toyotomi's lords and Osaka Castle which was the headquarters of Toyotomi group.
Points in contrast
The dominant territory of Himeji Castle's lord was larger than that of Hikone Castle's. Then, Himeji Castle was made more massive than Hikone Castle.
Points in contrast
The dominant territory of Himeji Castle's lord was larger than that of Hikone Castle's. Then, Himeji Castle was made more massive than Hikone Castle.
The timing when they became the vassals of Tokugawa family was slightly different. Himeji Castle's lord had been a independent lord before Tokugawa group domination of Japan and he collaborated on taking over Japan. On the other hand, Hikone Castle's had been a senior vassal of Tokugawa family, and he became a lord on his first time.
Come to think of it, Himeji Castle's lord had wider flexibility when he made his castle. On the other hand, Hikone Castle's had quite less. So, there were many influences of Tokugawa family all around Hikone Castle.
As we say like this, you may think Hikone Castle is not fascinating facility. We strongly argue against it. Even though Hikone Castle lost many battle-towers and walls, it still has many fascinating buildings, wide moat thanks to its favorable location that is nearby the Biwako lake, and outstanding defence devices thanks to its steep original ground. Consequently, it has been worth visiting.
We would like to deliver you many charms of this castle.
Go to Hikone Castle
This time, we will go to the east side of Osaka city. Approximately 90 kilometers east, Hikone city is there. And also Hikone Castle is. In its site, there are many survivals, not only main keep but also some battle-towers, moat, masonry, gates, bridges, etc.
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| Hikone castle |
Like the previous time, we will write how to transfer from Osaka to Hikone. The route is simple this time. Because you have the only one way to use. You can use JR train only, and cannot any private train.
After examination again, we are strongly confilmed JR train is convenient. This time, we can also use Shinkansen, but it's inconvenient. The necessary time is almost same when we use a rapid train. Thus, we recommend JR local line.
Using Local Biwako line: 80 minutes (depends on timetable)
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| JR Hikone station |
Make an attack on Hikone castle
From the entrance of the Hikone station, we walked a broadway 10 minutes or so, the townscape changed dramatically to the park-like atmosphere, and a big moat appeared. We went to the castle along with the moat. The wide battle tower or the Sawaguchi-tamontou stood before us. So, the hill of Hikone Castle isn't in sight.
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| Sawaguchi-tamontou |
We entered the inner area of Hikone Castle. There is a road now. But, once there was a giant gate and defensive zone or a Masugata trap. Above there is a siting called Ni-no-maru. In this area, a big stable and the backyard of Sawaguchi-tamontou battle tower are existing. Next to the Ni-no-maru siting, we can see the castle hill beyond inner moat.
Sawaguchi-tamontou
Masugata: not a proper noun, a form of gate stractures of early modern Japanese castles
Ni-no-maru
Early time in the morning, there are few people. Hikone Castle area opens half an hour earlier than Himeji Castle. It's a kind solicitude for travelers.
We crossed a bridge of the inner moat and went through the Omote-gomon-ato or former main gate. There are less survivals than Himeji Castle. We thought before visiting there that many survivals are there. It's a pity that there are a few battle towers, gate, and main tower only.
It's difficult to suppose what shape the Omote-mon or the main gate was. And we knew from the description of a paper that there was the Oute-mon or a main gate (Normally, main gate was named the Oute-mon.) in another place. And also by the description, the Oute-mon came not to be used and the Omote-mon became the main gate as years past. It's only written information from the description. In either case, the real Omote-mon and the real Oute-mon are invisible now.
Omote-gomon-ato
Omote-mon
Oute-mon
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| Go to a Karabori |
To head for the main tower, we went to Kane-no-maru. There are only wide stone steps now, but there might be a gate structure in those days. Then, it would be difficult to go toward the inner area for the attacking side. When the Kane-no-maru compound fell, the defence could destroy the Rouka-bashi or the bridge named Rouka which is built between the Kane-no-maru and the Tenbin-yagura-mon. Therefore, the attacking side might stop further invasions and might feel the difficulty again to capture the whole area of this castle.
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| Roukabasi and Tenbin-yagura-mon |
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| Tenbin-yagura-mon |
This trick is quite famous and worth to visit for Japanese castle freaks. You'll also be impressed by the atmosphere just like you were attacking this castle.
Tenbin-yagura-mon
Kane-no-maru
Rouka-bashi
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| At Taiko-maru |
Taiko-maru
Hon-maru
Taiko-mon
After capturing this gate, we can enter center compound. There is a beautifully symmetric main tower welcomed us.
By the way, this main tower is connected with Tamon-yagura. There were earthen walls and other battle towers once, but these structures were ruined.
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| Main tower |
Inside of the main tower is simple. It's difficult to imagine this main tower was the symbol of domination. We mean, successive lords never looked down around their territory in the top floor like regional rulers. Lack of inside ornamentation makes us feel the lords were earnest and faithful. It becomes strong by comparing with its excessive outside makeup.
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| At inside of main tower |
They would think they were temporarily keeping this territory for the Tokugawa family. Ii clan was famous as one of the faithful retainers of the Tokugawa family. So, they made their castle for the stability of their master not for their own dominance.
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| A stair of main tower |
The stairs inside the main tower were reconstructed for the safety of the tourists. That decision was made by the traits of Hikone cities people. And that is because Ii clan's disposition was taken over to Hikone cities people.
To tell the truth, we felt a little dissatisfied when we completed exploring this main tower. That's because this main tower is quite small compared with the Himeji Castle's.
However, many outside-decorations made us charmed. And these ornaments differed attractively in each side. It was biggest attraction for us.
The north side of the main tower is the Nishi-no-maru compound. It's difficult to suppose how it was used in those days. The north end of this compound is the Sanjyuu-yagura or the third floor battle tower.
Nishi-no-maru
Sanjyuu-yagura
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| Sanjyuu-yagura |
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| Ou-horikiri |
Hence, the enemy would be blocked by this tight defence, if they had changed their plan and attacked this side.
De-kuruwa
Ou-horikiri
Outside of it is Kannon-dai compound. And that is a pointed area of this castle. And the next is Ymazaki-kuruwa compound, and its next is the Biwa lake. Kannon-dai
Yamazaki-kuruwa
Biwa-ko
We think you are interested in Japanese castles, if so, you'd better to visit this castle. Especially, must look around Karabori, Kaneno-maru, Rouka-bashi, and Tenbin-yagura-mon. The combination of defense is a must for the fan of Japanese castles.
Genkyu-en
Why this castle was made like this?
Our opinions described below are based on our personal concepts. We know you have other concepts. This is one concept among many.
Please accept our opinions as one of these if you can't agree with our opinions.
There are three questions.
First question is about area planning.
East side of the castle mountain was the Genkyu-en, the second residence of lords and garden. And west of the castle mountain was retainers residences and a castle town. Why the eastern side of the Genkyu-en wasn't used as a castle town or other aims?
Genkyu-en
Second question is about defence of its east side.
South side and north side of the central compound had strong defense devices. The Rouka-bashi and the Ou-horikiri. And the west side of the center compound was a steep cliff, then difficult to attack too.
However, the east side was mainly used for the residence of Lords and garden and also the mountain pitch was gentle. All in all, the east side was dangerous and had no particular defense devices compared to other sides.
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| View from east side |
Third question is about the front (the main gate).
The front side was made on the west side of this castle. Why the south side was not chosen? Now, JR Hikone station is on the south side. And between the station and the castle are the center of Hikone city now. This side obviously suitable for the main gate. Moreover there is a wide open space on the east side. We think it's the second best.
If the facade was made east side, it would be spectacular like Himeji castle. The evidence of our opinion is the scenery. The best view shot of this castle is from Genkyu-en's garden (the east side of this castle).
We believe this castle was the most tight defense castle. So, if our question is accountable, our belief would be destroyed. It's too pity.
After studying a little, we found the answer.
We made our opinions from our experience only, but that was deficient. Because there was a big lake in the east of the Genkyu-en until about 70 years ago. Therefore it was unable to build a castle town in this side. And also their enemies couldn't attack from the east side. All in all, defense of the east side was not so important when this castle was constructed.
As a result, the planner chose the west side as the retainers residences and a castle town. In the south area, there weren't enough space. Also the north area was narrow coastal land and the huge Biwa lake.
The East lake was reclaimed relatively long before. However, we can't find any information about this reclaimed lake from papers or explanation boards in the castle. Thus, some Japanese castle fan tourists have such questions because they don't know the whole historical background in details.
We think it's necessary to explain that there was a reclaimed big lake at the east of this castle. If they use the sentence as explanation. 'Hikone castle was the castle of extraordinary strong protection'.
An addition
You can see the Hiko-nyan at the Hikone castle.
The Hiko-nyan is the walking around character of the Hikone castle. These walking around characters of Japanese sightseeing places are called Yuru-kyara, you canimage them as Mickey and Minny in the Disneylands. They are all around in Japan recently. Many sighteseeing spots and shopping streets have these own walking around characters. As a matter of fact, the Hiko-nyan is very famous and it's in top five of Japanese Yuru-kyara.
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| Hiko-nyan |
Before meeting it, it's obscure how we feel. Now, we want to emphasize it's very cute. He or she is studying trademark poses in earnest. We can take his or her pictures as much as we wish when he or she appears at a predetermined place and time appear a few minutes.
You can buy the Hiko-nyan-senbei or rice crackers Hiko-nyan designed.
This rice cracker is made by Bace-one company and also a licenced product of Hikone city.
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| Hiko-nyan-senbei |
Basic information
(About weapons and castles)
The history of development of early modern castles is connected with the weapons very closely. In early modern castles, there were thick walls and a wide moat against arquebuses. Then, strong military power was necessary to capture the early modern castles. Even though the attacking side captured, they would have the loss of a great many lives.
One of solution strategies was cannons. In Europe, it's usual to use cannons to attack castles a little long time before. As a result, European castles changed their appearances and the ways to construct.
As a matter of fact, the cannons appeared in Japan at the same time when arquebuses worked around, but those were not used with a few notable exceptions.
Japanese at that time couldn't make cannons even though they succeeded to make arquebuses. So, cannons were seldom used in Japan. Another reason was that there weren't wide highways in those days. Then army corps were in difficulty to move cannons in long distance.
But the real reason was that Japanese castles weren't strong enough. Then attacker's side didn't need cannons to capture Japanese castles.
(It's a little pity to conclude Japanese castles weren't strong enough.)
There is a way of looking that absence of cannons made Japanese castles remained their flowery beauty. If the Tokugawa group failed to get hold of Japan's political power, the civil war continued and cannons would be used soon. As a result of it, the early modern Japanese castles would be changed.
But the nightmare wasn't happened. That's wonderful, because we can still look at beautiful Japanese castles.
