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 [[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. The Sawaguchi tower was originally the entrance to Sawayama castle and still serves that function for Hikone. The Tenbin tower lies between Sawaguchi and the ''tenshu'', 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 stone foundation walls on the right. The bridge itself is then crossed. Other features of the complex are the 80-meter long stable and Keyakigoten residence. The Keyaki-goten ("zelkova wood palace") was built by the fourth lord of Hikone, [[Ii Naooki]], in [[1677]]. Built of [[keyaki|zelkova]] wood, it survives today, though it has been repaired many times. The 12th lord, [[Ii Naoaki]], built an addition onto the palace in the early 1800s, called the Rakuraku-no-ma. As a result, the house and its associated gardens came to be known as the Rakuraku-en.

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. The Sawaguchi tower was originally the entrance to Sawayama castle and still serves that function for Hikone. The Tenbin tower lies between Sawaguchi and the ''tenshu'', 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 stone foundation walls on the right. The bridge itself is then crossed. Other features of the complex are the 80-meter long stable and Keyakigoten residence. The stable (''umaya'') is the only one of such size surviving from the Edo period at any castle in Japan, and as such it has been designated an [[Important Cultural Property]]. The Keyaki-goten ("zelkova wood palace") was built by the fourth lord of Hikone, [[Ii Naooki]], in [[1677]]. Built of [[keyaki|zelkova]] wood, it survives today, though it has been repaired many times. The 12th lord, [[Ii Naoaki]], built an addition onto the palace in the early 1800s, called the Rakuraku-no-ma. As a result, the house and its associated gardens came to be known as the Rakuraku-en.

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. Another garden in the compound, the Genkyû-en, was built by Ii Naooki in 1677, and was meant to emulate one enjoyed by the [[Tang Dynasty]] [[Emperor Xuanzong]]. 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.

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. Another garden in the compound, the Genkyû-en, was built by Ii Naooki in 1677, and was meant to emulate one enjoyed by the [[Tang Dynasty]] [[Emperor Xuanzong]]. 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.

==References==

==References==

*Kodama Kota & Tsuboi Kiyotari, editors ''Nihon Joukaku Taikei''-20 Volumes Tokyo:Shinjimbutsu oraisha, 1981

*Kodama Kota & Tsuboi Kiyotari, editors ''Nihon Joukaku Taikei''-20 Volumes Tokyo:Shinjimbutsu oraisha, 1981

*Hinago Motoo ''Nihon No Bijutsu #54:Shiro'' Tokyo:Shibundo, 1970

*Hinago Motoo ''Nihon No Bijutsu #54:Shiro'' Tokyo:Shibundo, 1970

*Schmorleitz, Morton S ''Castles In Japan'' Tokyo:Charles E Tuttle Company Inc, 1974

*Schmorleitz, Morton S ''Castles In Japan'' Tokyo:Charles E Tuttle Company Inc, 1974

[[Category:Castles]]

[[Category:Castles]]