Arquebus 2

Next destination is?

Where do we go finding of Arquebuses next?
Another answer is visiting a firing performance.

There are many regional festivals featuring Japanese history all around Japan. At some festivals, firing Arquebuses performances are the main feature. Furthermore, some of the performances are quite expectable. So, we selected one festival and visited Okazaki city of Aichi prefecture this time.

Firing performance of  real Arquebuses

The festival's name is "Ieyasu-Gyoretsu". And we can view a firing performance of real Arquebuses. It's held at the 2nd Sunday of April every year. 

It is also a season of cherry blossoms viewing. This festival's main venue is near the Okazaki castle which is one of famous cherry blossoms viewing sites. 

This year's festival was held when 'sakura' or cherry blossoms was fully bloomed. So, there was tremendous number of audience came to see this festival and fully bloomed cherry blossoms. 

Okazaki city of Aichi prefecture
Ieyasu-Gyoretsu
Okazaki castle

"Ieyasu-Gyoretsu" is literally a parade. However, the festival has two parts of performances. The first half is the parade in which over 700 attendees wear fake Samurai battle armors of the Sengoku era. And the later half is the short play of the attendees in which firing Arquebuses are held.

Then why the parade is called "Ieyasu-Gyoretsu"? Ieyasu-Gyoretsu's Ieyasu means Tokugawa Ieyasu. And he was born at the Okazaki castle, so he is the most famous person in Okazaki city even now.

We think you know Japanese history very well, so, you also  memorize that Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo shogunate or feudal government of the Edo. Citizens of Okazaki city proud the fact and they treat him as a honarary citizen.

Tokugawa Ieyasu
the Edo shogunate


Ieyasu-Gyoretsu parade (from Okazaki City HP)

Originally, this festival featured Honda Tadakatsu. Honda Tadakatsu was also one of very famous Sengoku warriors. He was a senior vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Accordingly, he is also a celebrity of Okazaki city even now. This festival was originally held at October 18th when Honda Tadakatsu had died around 400 years ago.

 According to Honda Tadakatsu's legendary story, he was invulnerable like Wyatt Earp, a famous American sheriff. He fought at countless battles and had no injury throughout his whole life. Moreover, in another this kind of story, one enemy general saw him fighting bravely in front of his group. And that general said 'How disappointing! He would be my senior vassal in my side!' So, he was loved as a brave warrior by so many famous Sengoku lords. 

Honda Tadakatsu

Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu at Okazaki castle

How to visit the festibal site?

Compared with Shitaragahara historical museum, visiting Okazaki city is far convenient. We also start Osaka station.

Osaka station ⇒ Shin-osaka ⇒ (Shinkansen Super Express "Nozomi") ⇒ Nagoya ⇒ (Meitetsu Super Express) ⇒ Higashi-Okazaki ⇒ (by walk) ⇒ Event site

If you start at 8 o'clock from Osaka station, you will arrive Higashi-Okazaki station (the nearest station of the event site) around 10:30. Higashi-Okazaki station is very convenient for the travelers.

Meitetsu Super Express

The festival starts afternoon. Then, if you want to visit the event site at starting time, you should start your exploration at 9:30. But, we suppose there will be a tremendous turnout, so you'd better arrive a little earlier for your seats.

Appreciate the event

"Ieyasu-Gyoretsu" starts 1:30 from the Iga-hachimangu shrine which is located approximately 2 kilometer north of the Okazaki castle.

Iga-hachimangu shrine

Parade starts Iga-hachimangu shrine

Parade goes through  (from Okazaki City HP)

The parade goes down to south  through downtown of Okazaki city. They arrive at the venue (a dry riverbed of the Otsu river near the Okazaki castle) around 3 o'clock. 

Otsu-gawa

Okazaki castle (from Okazaki City HP)

Event was held at dry riverbed

In front of the main event area is a bank of Otsu river covered with stair-like concrete bank. This concrete bank becomes seats of the audiences.

Firing real Arquebuses performances were held 2 times in this event.

Trenendous people come (from Okazaki City HP)

First one started at 2 o'clock. Almost around 1 o'clock there was no empty space around us. There was tremendous turnout. (This event is hugely popular!)

The parade arrived at 3:30. Front of the parade were boy warriors, and after the boy warriors, many groups continued.

Parade of girls warriors

The horsemen also attend

After arriving them, the second firing performance was held again. Then the short play by the hundreds warriors were held. After the event, darkness was all around.


Performance of firing Arquebuses

Why we can see real Musket matchlock guns firing performance? Because there are some groups of firing Arquebuses or Musket matchlock guns in Aichi prefecture. Then, these groups come to warm up this festival.

Firing Arquebuses are performed at many regional festivals featuring Japanese historical episode. According to a book on Arquebuses, 43 groups are active in Japan and they act firing perfomances at 125 festival sites every year.

The firing in "Ieyasu-Gyoretsu" is performed by Aichi-prefecture-kojyu-kennkyuukai-houjyutsutai (愛知県古銃研究会砲術隊). Ten and more member fired useing their own Arquebuses. 

The performances were held in several styles. First, they fired in unison. And next, the fire was held in order. And next, by small groups.

Aichi-prefecture-kojyu-kennkyuukai-houjyutsutai

Performance of firing

Sound of gunfire and smell of powder covered around the event site. Each Arquebuses didn't load a ball. They fired only blank cartridges. However, terrible roar dominated the site. The members put on their performance orderly and briskly.

The performance time was only 20 minutes. Nevertheless, we were captured the world of Arquebuses.


The end of Arquebuses

High-tech weapon in the Semgoku era, "Hinawa-jyu" was experienced many changes. And ironically saying, it became like performance repeater now.

Hinawa-jyu

As soon as Arquebuses were introduced in Japan, domestic producing soon spread all over Japan. The tecnical system was completed before introduced, so Japanese had no time developing technology. Consequently, Japanese people at that time focused on mass production only. The Sengoku era was soon ended several decades later. Therefore, further technical development wasn't needed.

After this moment, focus point was changed from technical innovation to manners. They needed the information how to improve their shooting technique but to innovate their guns performance. Arquebus shooting changed from high-tech weapon to one of Budo or training of personal ability.

Furthermore, the technique of shooting changed one of martial arts named "Hou-jyutsu". The way of behavior was sharpened in the Hou-jyutsu world. However, no innovation produces no importance.

Hou-jyutsu

By contrast, the technological innovation of guns was continued in Europe. When Japanese met Europian people again, the technical difference in guns was poles apart.

And at the period when 250 years had passed after the end of the Sengoku period, people payed no attention to old Arquebuses. They made every effort to get new-type guns.  Until Arqurbuses became useless in the battle fields of Japan, approximately 300,000 were produced in total. Almost were discarded in a very short interval at the end of Edo shogunate. The guns we looked at in "Sitaragahara historical museum" were only 100 among 300,000.

Guns are continuously used in battle fields nowadays. Their importance isn't unshakable in modern age time. We suppose necessity of guns have never desuetude. In addition, the technology of weapons has been ever developed. Modern guns are totally changed to the forms from Arquebus-like shape.

Nowadays, most of all Japanese have no necessity to be face-to-face with guns. They changed such people who would be surprised even with the sound of Arquebus performance. This phenomenon may testify that they live in peace.

When enjoy Arquebus performance, we can't help considering our ancestors effort to accomplish our peaceful life.

Opinion described here is personal one's. And we're a little afraid these descriptions aren't accurate somewhere. Please accept all of them in your big-heart.

Sight words: Hikone castle

Have you ever paid your attention to some typical signboard written by Japanese? If so, don't you think you can catch the exact meaning? Moreover, you want to make your travel wonderful? Then this topic will help you. Let's try to extend your knowledge of Japanese and tell it to your friends. They will be moved very much.

The statue of Ii Naomasa

Japanese people have been learning many words and expressions by custom. The words that we describe below are understood at a first glance. However, international travelers, we suppose, may feel difficulties to understand them. The reason is simply because they don't make their livings in Japan. It's difficult to gain the comprehension in such cases.

So, let's start to investigate some typical Japanese words and expressions. We want to explain that kind of information come up with, which Japanese people happen to look at these words and expressions they easily understand.

If you know the meanings of these words before visiting the sightseeing spots. These words below must be 'Sight words' for the travelers to Japan. For a starter we will search around 'Hikone castle'!


fig 1; O-za-shi-ki

fig 2; A-ma-za-ke

fig 3; O-mat-cha

fig 4; To-u-ku-ba-ko

fig 5; Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i

fig 6; U-mo-re-gi-no-ya

'O-za-shi-ki'
What is the Japanese word 'O-za-shi-ki'?
 This sign is on a wall of the second floor of a station side restaurant.

If you analyse 'O-za-shi-ki', you will find 'o' is one of 'polite language' and 'za-shi-ki' is an original. The owner of the restaurant may appeal that 'there are tatami-mat-eating-rooms'. 'Za-shi-ki' usually means a Japanese room where the tatami mats were covered. And sometimes it means 'the main Japanese room'. But these are used differently depending on the context.

Even more the owner wants to express 'Even your group is large, you can eat comfortably because there is a large Japanese style eating space' and 'If you want to have some banquet, there is a suitable space here'.

'A-ma-za-ke'
What is the Japanese word 'A-ma-za-ke'?
This word is on a banner-flag. And the banner-flag is in a refreshment shop of a halfway point toward the central area of Hikone castle.

'A-ma-za-ke' means sweet liquor literally. But Japanese don't use this word when they call sweet liquor. When they use the word 'A-ma-za-ke', it's not liquor but traditional beverage which children can drink. Furthermore, they expect this beverage is sweet and hot. Then you purchase and drink it, you can feel relaxed. So, it's a suitable drink for a short break.

The letter 'A-ma-za-ke' has a kanji-character means liquor even though it has no alcohol. Japanese people learn this kind of knowledge by having experience to drink 'A-ma-za-ke' in a local festival or so.

What's more, it's written in an impressive red banner-flag. The refreshment shop's owner wants to express 'This beverage is special so you cannot taste in another place'.

'O-mat-cha'
What is the Japanese word 'O-mat-cha'?
 This sign is on the wall of another refreshment shop in the Hikone castle.

To tell the truth, we don't know the accurate meaning of this word. Because this word means one of Japanese tea, and there are so many styles of Japanese tea. Broadly speaking, you can drink special Japanese tea which was drunk by Sengoku warriors and Sa-do experts of tea ceremony. We also imagine you can drink a little expensive and classy style of it in the refreshment shop.




Japanese apricot in Hikone castle

'To-u-ku-ba-ko'
What is the Japanese word 'To-u-ku-ba-ko'?
This box is placed in an entrance to the Genkyu-en garden.

If you don't have any hint, it's difficult to solve the question even you are Japanese. First hint is that this box is placed in an entrance of the Genkyu-en garden. Second hint is its explanation. You will read the word on this box carefully and find the word 'Kanko-haiku-toukubako'. 'Kanko' means 'sightseeing'. 'Haiku' means 'Japanese style very short poem'. Then,'toukubako' means 'a box for submitting Haiku poems which you made here'.

If you were deeply impressed by this garden, how about making 'Haiku'? We have no doubt about your knowledge as Japan experts. If you submit your works of your native language actually, city clerks in charge will be confused. But, there are so many international tourists, then some of city clerks will understand English. So, if you submit your works in English, they may be filled with emotion seeing them.
 
'Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i'
What is the Japanese word 'Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i'?
This stone monument is placed in a park of surrounding area of Hikone castle.

In this context, 'ha-na-no' means 'flower-like' but this flower is not real flower. This word means 'magnificent like many full-blown flowers'. English word, 'flourish' also means 'become prosperous'. Each of them is the same ideas.
Furthermore, 'Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i' means the famous person's life who was born in Hikone, and his name is 'Ii Naosuke'. In addition, it's also the title of a famous novel featured 'Ii Naosuke'.
This story aired as a Ta-i-ga drama, a long-running historical drama of NHK in 1963. Then, people who watched this drama series know the meaning of it very well.

However this broadcast was approximately 50 years ago, so young Japanese have no idea what 'Ha-na-no-syo-u-ga-i' is.

Ii Naosuke
Ta-i-ga drama
NHK; Japan Broadcasting Corporation

'U-mo-re-gi-no-ya'
What is the Japanese word 'U-mo-re-gi-no-ya'?
This sign board is put up in front of a small sightseeing spot which is located in the southern area of the castle. 

'Umoregi' means a wood buried in the ground. If the wood is buried in the ground, it isn't noticed even hough it has a good talent.
To understand this word we need some historical knowledge.
First, this sightseeing spot was a house where Ii Naosuke lived on his youthful days. Second, Ii Naosuke wasn't a lord when he became a man. And long after becoming an adult, he became a sensible feudal lord of Hikone domain. He was a man who had tasted the bitters of life.

He named his house 'U-mo-re-gi-no-ya'. Because, even though he was one of lord's sons and heir, he understood he would not become the next feudal lord.
This sign board was an expression of his view of life. And the change of his situation was happened. He became one of a famous person in Japan's history.
If you don't know the background you cannot understand the charm of the word 'U-mo-re-gi-no-ya'

Hikone castle main tower

Did you enjoy this article?

Too maniac?
Then it's must for you, deep inside travelers!

Arquebus 1

Before this exploration

We want to feature Hinawa-jyu this time. It was a new weapon at the Sengoku era. Hinawa-jyu is very famous and almost all Japanese catch the word "Hinawa-jyu", but if you say in English "Arquebus" is appropriate. Technically speaking, "Musket of matchlock firing system" or "Matchlock musket(gun)" .

Hinawa-jyu

In this exploration, we will visit places related to Arquebuses. Then, there is no historical structure in our destination this time. Furthermore, we don't know where is the correct destination of this exploration. We believe we can find something new.

What are fascinations of Arquebuses?

Before Arquebuses appeared in the Sengoku era, Japanese had fought using swords, spars and bows and arrows. Even after this period, Japanese found their spirituality in mainly swords. "Nihon-tou" or Japanese swords represent its spirituality. And "Bushi-do", "Ken-do" and "Ko-budo" are excessively gathering international attention. However, Arquevases are especially important, because they completely changed the aspect of the war of Japan in the Sengoku era.

Bushi-do
Ken-do
Ko-budo

Japanese soldiers had already met weapons using powders. They were used by a foreign invading army. And they made frighten Japanese soldiers then. However, Japanese didn't put these weapons into practical use at that time. By contrast, when Arquebuses were imported, Japanese soldiers began to use them as soon as possible. They were spread all over Japan in no time. Soon after the spread, there was no battle without using them. Due to the effects of these weapons, Japanese castles also changed. Because they need to defend against the power of Arquebuses. Furthermore, battles became to be done on large scales. After the widespread of them, the Sengoku era end. Thus, it might be Arquebuses' effect that all battles ended.

We came to think Arquebuses were the main items which made the history of the Sengoku era attractive. There was no doubt that they changed Japanese history strongly. So, this fact was one of their charms. And, there was a more attractive aspect which was the fact that the appearance of them changed soldier's skill. In other words, it made the way of fighting changed. Before the arrival of them, strong soldiers won always. Because battles were done in close combat and strong soldiers had well trained their bodies and had skill for battles. However, these weapons changed this theory completely.

Arquebuses' arrival made it practical to kill enemy in a long distance, even if certain soldier was physically weaker than his enemy. So, every soldier and the strongest soldier of enemy became a good match. We suppose that's also another reason this item was attractive for us. 

Where do we go to find Arquebuses now?

We think that one of the estimated answers is visiting museums. We find one museum that is at the very place of "the Battle of Nagashino". It has top record number of Arquebuses in Japan. So, we will go there first.

the Battle of Nagashino



Go to the museum



Sitaragahara historical museum

The museum is named "Shitaragahara historical museum". It is at Shinsiro city, Aichi prefecture. If you want to know more about the Battle of Nagashino happened there, you have to study power relationships of Sengoku lords and their strategies. But we think it's more important to watch the weapons. So we skip the information about the power relationships of them and so on now. Laying aside everything, let's go to the museum of Arquebuses!

Shitaragahara historical museum
Shinsiro city, Aichi prefecture

To tell the truth, there is a long distance to reach the museum when you visit there. You need enogh time even if you use Shinkansen Super Express. We started Osaka station as usual.

JR local"Iida-line"

Osaka station ⇒ Sin-osaka ⇒ (Shinkansen Super Express "Nozomi") ⇒ Nagoya ⇒ (Shinkansen Super Express "Kodama") ⇒ Toyohashi ⇒ (JR local "Iida-line") ⇒ Mikawa-togo ⇒ (by walk) ⇒ Shitaragahara historical museum

There is no translation to private trains. But  you have to board over 2 hours total. Furthermore, you have to wait trains a little long time at each station. Therefore, you need approximately 3 hours and half from Osaka to Mikawa-togo station.

Coaches of the JR local line from Toyohasi to Mikawa-togo don't fit automatic doors and passengers have to press the button beside of the doors. It's very inspiring for us, because we know only automatically open-system coaches.

very inspiring for us

Now, the walking time from Mikawa-togo station to Shitaragahara historical museum is approximately 20 minutes. You may not arrive there until noon, even though you start riding JR train at 8 o'clock.


Appreciate its collections

Main exhibitions of this museum are Arquebuses, of course it has many other items. The total number of the Arquebuses is more than 80. Most of them are privately owned. These owners lend them for this museum. Well-kept guns shine brightly, metallic parts glitter gold and wooden parts blackish yellow-brown.


Arquebuses (Shitaragahara historical museum)

Until when the Sengoku era continued?

We know this kind of knowledge isn't so much important for tourists, but please contribute your interest a little. However, we want you to understand that the interval between the arrival of Arquebuses and the end of the Sengoku era. The year of the arrival of Arquebuses was 1543. If you select the year when Oda Nobunaga banished Ashikaga Yoshiaki or the last Shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate, which was 1573. It was a very big event which happened at the later half of the Sengoku era. Accordingly, there were only thirty years between them, so, we suppose the arrival gave a strong impact to the progress of the history of Japan.

Oda Nobunaga
Ashikaga Yoshiaki

the oldest one of this museum 

We think this interval is very short. We want to mention one more historical event a little later. In 1615, the Siege of Osaka castle was happened and Toyotomi family was destroyed. And this battle became the last one during the Sengoku era. Even if we select this date, the interval is only seventy years.   

the Siege of Osaka castle
Toyotomi family

Why we say like this... we found the truth that almost all Arquebuses in this museum were made in the Edo era, not in the Sengoku era!



These Arquebuses were made in the Edo era

We notice one more worry, the Edo era continued 250 years, so, we had difficulty to suppose how old these Arquebuses displayed. If one Arquebus was made in the beginning of the Edo era, it is approximately 400 years old. However, if another one was made at the end of the Edo era, it is only 150 years old. We suppose there aren't Arquebuses which were used in the real battle field in the Sengoku era. Most of them are used in Hou-jutsu Do-jo or practicing places of Budo learners. It's very difficult to meet with the real one which was used in the Sengoku era. 

Hou-jyutsu Do-jyo
Budo

At the view of ironically thinking, Arquebus is only a long, narrow stick. Even though you can find a practical beauty of the metallic parts of firing devices. We notice we go too far.

only a long,narrow stick

the metallic parts have practical beauty

Furthermore, for people who aren't interested in Arquebuses, they say why you dare to visit such kind of museum.

It's a shame that there are only displays. If we can have the chance of firing Arquebus, we will be pleased with that. But, there aren't these kind of attractions at all.  

some armors also exhibited

We searched additional information if we can fire Arquebus. There are many associations of musket. And the members of the group learned several dozen hours can fire Arquebus. So, we wise on the fact we can't fire musket matchlock guns without practicing Arquebuses several dozen hours.

And, we want to know the result of scientific approaches. For instance, explanation of the inside of pipe and firing device. And comparison of power of guns. Or, how far the bullets reach, or...

We are a little critical now, but all in one piece, we have understood nearly hundred percent what Arquebus is. Because we visit the very place where Arquebuses had caught a great attention in the Sengoku period.


An addition

This museum is located at the very place of the Battle of Nagashino fought fiercely.

Shingen-zuka

cherry blossoms along a bank

The southern site of this museum is called Shingen-zuka. It is a memorial monument of war victims of the Battle of Nagashino. Every August, festival for war victims is held.

Shingen-zuka



The Battle of Nagashino

Among the battles occurred in the Sengoku period, the Battle of Nagashino happened in May 1575 is particularly famous. And behind the story of it, there's another story that Arquebuses changed an aspect of battle fields completely.

the very place of the batlle of Nagasino

To be specific a little more, it was said that Oda Nobunaga had a wisdom to see into the future and worked out new tactics. Then his army completely won against enemies who used old type tactics. And after this war, many Sengoku lords began to copy his tactics.

Next story may sound a little far-fetched. Oda Nobunaga was a great tactician surpassing Europian ones at that time. And Takeda Katsuyori who was the successor of Takeda Singen was the leader of the opposite group. And today he is considered as one of many stupid commanders at that time. It was also said that he couldn't handle old senior vassals of his father. This appreciation is becoming to contradict among Japanese historians nowadays.

However, Oda Nobunaga is said to use very famous tactics named 'Sandan-uchi' or three lines alternate shooting in this battle. This famous tactics epitomize the spirit of military innovation in Japan at that era. Thus, the existence of it cannot be negated completely. Every nationality has a tendency to consider themselves as superb people...

Takeda Katsuyori
Takeda Singen
Sandan-uchi

What changed in Europe during the same time of the Sengoku period? Muskets of matchlock firing system was born in 1500's in Europe. After being improved in many parts, it was introduced to Japan. So, Japanese needed no innovation upon making by themselves. Then soon this gun became a crucial weapon of Sengoku soldiers.

Europian brought Guns and Cannons

European lords were interested in cannons but Arquebuses. But Japanese lords were interested in practical use of Arquebuses only. Not in innovation and not in another weapon. Though, some Japanese lords tried to use cannons in some battle field, but cannons didn't become major.

Appearance of cannons had a potent influence in Europe. In the field of military tactics, fortification, prosperity or devastation of countries. So, European historians considered Japan had changed samely. Thus, they described Japanese history in the same story as theirs. But, true Japanese history is different. In some case, European historian's descriptions sounds strange for Japanese readers. However, we had better think Japanese history was unique.


The riddle of the folding screen "the Battle of Nagashino"

The battle that Oda and Tokugawa allies and Takeda army corps was drawn in it.
 

Firearms units of Oda and Tokugawa allies lined up in a row and fired in unison. This is called fusillade tactics. In this tactics, troops line up in 3 rows. Then, the first line holds guns and fusillades. And after shooting, the first group recedes. 

Alternatively, the second line holds guns and fusillades and recedes. After that, the third line does the same action. In this interval, the first line prepares the next firing. Arquebuses needed a little long interval between the first shot and the next. Before the arrival of this tactics, many Sengoku Lords considered Arquebuses had crucial weakness as weapons. Nevertheless, this fusillade tactics solved the problem. By using this tactics, your enemy won't to be able to come close to your place firing your Arquebuses.

In European history, a commander of the Dutch army came up with this tactics around 1594 the first time. If Oda Nobunaga commanded this tactics in 1575, he did 20 years earlier than the European commander.

Howerer, this tactics were possible only when professional firearms units practiced a long time. European armies had practiced long time and enabled it. Compared with them, Japanese soliders at that time didn't have long practicing time. Therefore, many historians conclude that Japanese soliders at that time couldn't use this tactics.

In addition, this folding screen was made after several decades of the battle.
Many historians thought this folding screen couldn't be used as the evidence of using the fusillade tactics in the Battle of Nagashino.

fusillade tactics ?

By contrast, there is another story. Chinese firearms units changed their tactics like the Japanese style after the Imjin War or the invasion of Korea by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army crops (1592-1597). That was because the Chinese army fought against the Japanese army directly and they were annoyed Japanese firearm's tactics. They drew it in their manual. That is exactly the fusillade tactics. 

the Imjin War

It's nonsense the Japanese army used the fusillade tactics in Korea for the first time. Therefore, we can mention the Japanese army used the fusillade tactics long before the Imjin War (1592-1597).
Then, the conclusion reachs the Japanese might use the fusillade tactics before the Dutch army for the first time in the world. 

This opinion is our's and only one concept among many. And we know there're many other opinions. Please accept all our description in your big-heart.

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.

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. 

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.



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)

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.

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



Go to a Karabori

We went up the Omote-mon to a Karabori or moat-shaped space sandwiched by two tall ramparts. These are parts of the Tenbin-yagura-mon or the gate and battle tower comprex named Tenbin and the Kane-no-maru or the compound named Kane.

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.

Roukabasi and Tenbin-yagura-mon

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



At Taiko-maru

Going past the Tenbin-yagura, we were standing the Taiko-maru, small compound. To go toward Hon-maru, we also have to capture the Taiko-mon or the gate named Taiko.

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.

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.

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.


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


Sanjyuu-yagura



Ou-horikiri

Beyond the Nishi-no-maru, there is the De-kuruwa or the projecting compound. Between the Sanjyuu-yagura and the De-kuruwa are called the Ou-horikiri or the big moat-shaped space, that is same as Karabori in front of the Tenbin-yagura. A very same trick is there.
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.

We didn't meet many international travelers, but there were many in Himeji Castle. We hope we can see such scene in this castle next time.

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.

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.

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.

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.