Changes

In an era where fief transfers were the rule, the Ii were the exception. They retained control of Hikone until the [[Meiji Restoration]]. [[Ii Naosuke]] played an important part in the opening of Japan during the 1850’s. He paid for this with his life, being assassinated by anti-Shogunate rebels outside the Sakurada-mon of [[Edo castle]] in [[1860]]. Only a request from the [[Emperor Meiji]] spared the structure from the wholesale castle destruction of the times.  

In an era where fief transfers were the rule, the Ii were the exception. They retained control of Hikone until the [[Meiji Restoration]]. [[Ii Naosuke]] played an important part in the opening of Japan during the 1850’s. He paid for this with his life, being assassinated by anti-Shogunate rebels outside the Sakurada-mon of [[Edo castle]] in [[1860]]. Only a request from the [[Emperor Meiji]] spared the structure from the wholesale castle destruction of the times.  

Today, the inner portion of the castle remains largely intact (although the outer two lines of castle defenses were dismantled). The original tenshu, moat, ishigaki, gateways, and three turrets still stand. The tenshu, while smaller than most others of its era at three stories with a basement, is quite stylish. It is built in the Momoyama style and is heavily influenced by other Zen Buddhist structures. In many ways, it resembles the residential style of the [[Golden Pavilion|Golden]] and [[Silver Pavilion|Silver Pavilions]] in [[Kyoto]]. The tenshu features cusped windows known as kato mado and an upper story balcony. The tenshu’s stone base is only five meters tall, and the structure itself rises another sixteen meters. Sawaguchi tower was originally the entrance to Sawayama castle and still serves that function for Hikone. Tenbin tower lies between Sawaguchi and the tenchu, and features a very convoluted approach. First, the path crosses under a bridge leading to the tower. The path then loops around and climbs the ishigaki on the right. The bridge itself is then crossed. Other features of the complex are the 80 meter long stable and the Rakuraku-en (Garden Of Pleasures). The Hakkei-tei (Tea House Of The Eight Views) within the garden was a popular spot for the Ii to entertain important guests and relax. The castle uses water from Lake Biwa to fill its moat and the layout of the Hikone castle town is still much the same as it was in the 1600’s, featuring staggered streets that limit the field of vision of anyone in the town.

Today, the inner portion of the castle remains largely intact (although the outer two lines of castle defenses were dismantled). The original tenshu, moat, ishigaki, gateways, and three turrets still stand. The tenshu, while smaller than most others of its era at three stories with a basement, is quite stylish. It is built in the Momoyama style and is heavily influenced by other Zen Buddhist structures. In many ways, it resembles the residential style of the [[Kinkaku-ji|Golden]] and [[Ginkaku-ji|Silver Pavilions]] in [[Kyoto]]. The tenshu features cusped windows known as kato mado and an upper story balcony. The tenshu’s stone base is only five meters tall, and the structure itself rises another sixteen meters. Sawaguchi tower was originally the entrance to Sawayama castle and still serves that function for Hikone. Tenbin tower lies between Sawaguchi and the tenchu, and features a very convoluted approach. First, the path crosses under a bridge leading to the tower. The path then loops around and climbs the ishigaki on the right. The bridge itself is then crossed. Other features of the complex are the 80 meter long stable and the Rakuraku-en (Garden Of Pleasures). The Hakkei-tei (Tea House Of The Eight Views) within the garden was a popular spot for the Ii to entertain important guests and relax. The castle uses water from Lake Biwa to fill its moat and the layout of the Hikone castle town is still much the same as it was in the 1600’s, featuring staggered streets that limit the field of vision of anyone in the town.

Hikone is one of the most popular locations for filmmakers, and the castle has appeared in scores of Japanese films and television shows. Perhaps its best remembered appearance was as (along with [[Himeji castle]]) a stand-in for [[Osaka castle]] in the American miniseries [[James Clavell’s Shogun]]. The scenes of the Western ship pilot John Blackthorne (played by Richard Chamberlain) doing his mad dance in order to cover Lord Toranaga’s (played by [[Mifune Toshiro]] escape made good use of the bridge and Tembin Tower. The grounds were also used for Blackthorne’s second interview with Toranaga by the lake, Blackthorne’s recruitment of ronin, and other scenes.

Hikone is one of the most popular locations for filmmakers, and the castle has appeared in scores of Japanese films and television shows. Perhaps its best remembered appearance was as (along with [[Himeji castle]]) a stand-in for [[Osaka castle]] in the American miniseries [[James Clavell's Shogun]]. The scenes of the Western ship pilot John Blackthorne (played by Richard Chamberlain) doing his mad dance in order to cover Lord Toranaga’s (played by Mifune Toshiro escape made good use of the bridge and Tembin Tower. The grounds were also used for Blackthorne’s second interview with Toranaga by the lake, Blackthorne’s recruitment of ronin, and other scenes.

==Links==

==Links==

*[http://www.hikone-400th.jp/ Hikone castle the 400th anniversary]

*[http://www.hikone-400th.jp/ Hikone castle the 400th anniversary]