 Most viewed - Hikone 彦根市 |
Hikone Castle and Genkyu-en Garden in fall618 views
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My 34-min. comprehensive English video about Hikone Castle, Genkyuen Garden, and autumn festivals. 618 views
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Welcome to Hikone, best known for Hikone Castle and mascot Hiko-nyan. At JR Hikone Station, this photo of official mascot Hikonyan greets you. Map616 views
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Statue of Lord Ii Naomasa (井伊 直政 1561-1602 ) in front of JR Hikone Station in 2007.562 views
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On Oct. 25-26, 2008, the first Yuru-Kyara (Mascot Character) Matsuri was held on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road in Hikone. This sign at Hikone Station points the way. Map486 views
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Statue of Ii Naomasa in front of Hikone Station402 views
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The 2nd Yuru-kyara festival was held in Oct. 23-25, 2009. The festival was expanded by a day by including an indoor stage show featuring enka singer Hashi Yukio singing "Yuru-kyara Ondo."355 viewsOn Oct. 23, 2009 (Fri.), the Yuru-kyara Daishugo event was held at the Hikone Bunka Plaza's Grand Hall. ひこね市文化プラザ グランドホール
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From mid-Nov. to early Dec., the garden is beautifully lit up at night until 9 pm. Note that although the castle tower is also lit up, you cannot enter the castle grounds after 5 pm.337 views
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Cross section of Hikone Castle.333 views
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Nichiren Monument on Takeshima. This giant stone monument is inscribed with the prayer words "Namu Myo-horenge-kyo" from the Lotus Sutra. 南無妙法蓮華経326 views
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Takeshima in Hikone, Shiga. Map323 views
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Hikone Castle's main tower is said to be originally the castle tower for Otsu Castle whose lord was Kyogoku Takatsugu. It was moved here in 1606. This main tower is designated as a National Treasure.323 views
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Come in the early morning and see Hikone Castle's moat water give a mirror reflection of the cherry blossoms. It's really beautiful on a sunny morning.315 views
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View of Takeshima, an island with many shapes.310 views
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Kawau cormorants. Shiga has over 40,000 of these birds, and 30,000 of them live on Chikubushima whose trees are being destroyed by the droppings and branches broken off to make bird nests.309 views
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Ii clan warriors304 views
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Hikone Gun Battalion dressed like Ii Clan samurai with their trademark red armor nicknamed "Red Devils."299 views
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Poems291 views
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Although it was a military fortress, Hikone Castle never saw battle and was mainly a symbol of authority.291 views
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House on the Nakasendo Road in Takamiya-juku which was one of the largest post towns. By 1843, the population was 3,560. There was one Honjin, two Waki Honjin, and 23 hatago inns.287 views
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Nichiren temple268 views
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Little Edo Hikone Castle Festival Parade264 views
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Two maids looked after Naosuke while he lived here.260 views
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Hikone Castle moat and cherry blossoms.250 views
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249 views
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Vintage postcard of Genkyuen Garden. Little has changed except that boats no longer ply on the pond.248 views
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The Azai sisters. On the left is Chacha-hime, based on the eldest daughter Chacha (later Lady Yodo-dono) of Lord Azai Nagamasa and Oichi (sister of Oda Nobunaga) who lived in Odani Castle in Kohoku-cho. Middle is Hatsu, and Go on the right. 茶々姫248 views
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View of Takeshima. Before the boat left, it circled around the island to show how different it looked from different angles.247 views
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Ii Naomasa (井伊直政) (1561-1602 ) was the first lord of Hikone from 1600. He was a general under Tokugawa Ieyasu whom he helped to win the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He was rewarded with the fief of Omi (now Shiga) and built Hikone Castle.245 views
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Genkyuen Garden's tea houses named Hakkei-tei.243 views
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The first NHK Taiga Drama series in 1963 was called "Flowering Life" 花の生涯, based on Naosuke's life here in Umoregi-no-ya. This room shows scenes from that TV series.241 views
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Scale model of Hikone Castle in the latter 18th and early 19th century.240 views
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Shiromochi-kun marks the 400th anniversary of Lord Todo Takatora entering Tsu Castle in Mie Pref. Obviously resembling a stack of mochi rice cakes. This character was actually an inflatable plastic balloon. シロモチくん (三重 津市）229 views
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Tabi-maru. a traveler character from Kusatsu, Shiga. Kusatsu was a crossroads on the old Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads where many travelers lodged. "Tabi" means "travel." たび丸 (滋賀 草津市)226 views
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Hikone's official mascot Hiko-nyan appears three times daily for a 30-min. show: 10:30 am and 1:30 pm in front of the main castle tower (tenshu) and at 3:00 pm outside Hikone Castle Museum.223 viewsAccording to legend, one day, Ii Naotaka, the third lord of Hikone Castle, was doing falconry in Tokyo and was near a temple when he saw this cat raising its paw. He was led inside the temple where he was able to rest inside. A major thunderstorm ensued, and the cat saved him from getting wet.
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Sagawa family of mascots from Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama, Shiga.222 views
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Another view of Takeshima219 views
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JR Hikone Station219 views
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Hashi Yukio216 views
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Hiko-nyan is the most popular character, but he was least seen and not available to the public. No one could get close.214 views
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In 1606, the 1st and 2nd phases of Hikone Castle's construction were completed. The tenshu castle tower was also completed and Naokatsu moved in. This is the Castle moat and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.211 views
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Dotaku-kun from Yasu, Shiga. Modeled after Japan's largest ancient bronze bell discovered in Yasu. ドウタクくん (滋賀 野洲市）207 views
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Official mascots of Maibara, Shiga Prefecture. A pair of fireflies.207 views
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Various high schools in Shiga, mainly from Hikone, participated in the tent exhibition.204 views
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Umaya Horse Stable (Important Cultural Property).203 views
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Hikone Castle is one of five main castle towers in Japan designated as a National Treasure. The others are Himeji, Matsumoto, Matsue, and Inuyama Castles.203 views
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Hikone Castle overlooks the Hakkeitei teahouses Genkyuen Garden. Hakkeitei was built at around the same time as the garden.202 views
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202 views
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Hiko-nyan, the official mascot for Hikone Castle's 400th anniversary in 2007. He proven to be so popular that he has been retained as the city's official mascot. Basically a white cat with a horned samurai helmet. ひこにゃん202 viewsOne of the most famous mascots in Japan.
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Built as a castle garden in 1677 by Ii Naooki, the fourth lord of Hikone Castle. The garden has representations of the Eight Views of Omi, Chikubushima island, and the Shiraishi rocks in Lake Biwa.194 views
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194 views
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Koedo Hikone NPO started operating "yakata-bune" Japanese-style boats in the moats of Hikone Castle as a tourist attraction for the castle's 400th anniversary in 2007. They operate 6 rides per day around the castle, taking 50 min.194 viewsBoat landing for the Hikone-jo Ohori Meguri boat ride. Near the entrance to Genkyu-en Garden. They operate "yakata-bune" Japanese-style boats as a tourist attraction.
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Takamiya-juku was the sixty-fourth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns of the Nakasendo Road. Today, it has a few remnants of its Nakasendo past with a Honjin gate, Enshoji temple (where Emperor Meiji once stayed), and shrines.194 viewsOhmi Railways Takamiya Station. Looks like a shrine. 近江鉄道 高宮駅
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During June 2008 to March 2010, the castle celebrated the 150th anniversary of Lord Ii Naosuke and the opening of Japan.192 views
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Since the construction of Hikone Castle was designated as a national project by the Tokugawa government, as many as 12 daimyo lords were ordered to assist in the construction.191 views
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Hashi Yukio sings the "Yuru-kyara Ondo" in front of Yuru-Kyara characters in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.191 views
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Also this garden for the daimyo.190 views
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Naomasa's son Naokatsu was still an infant when Naomasa died. So Naomasa chief retainer consulted with Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and it was decided to build a new castle at the present location. Construction started in 1603.187 views
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187 views
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Takeshima ("Island of Many Views") is a small island (600 m circumference) in Lake Biwa off Hikone, accessible by a short boat ride from Hikone Port.185 views
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Hiko-nyan is Hikone's official mascot. A white cat wearing a samurai helmet modeled after Ii Naomasa.185 views
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Dennosuke plugging the Nipponbashi electronics district in Naniwa-ku, Osaka. There's a power cord on his back too. でんのすけ (大阪 大阪市浪速区）184 views
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183 views
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Hikone's super popular official mascot Hiko-nyan appears every day outside Hikone Castle Museum (photo) or in front of the main castle tower. A large crowd gathers each time.183 viewsHiko-nyan was the official mascot for Hikone Castle's 400th anniversary in 2007. He proven to be so popular that he has been retained as the city's official mascot.
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Scale model of Hikone Castle in Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.183 views
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A heron bringing back a branch to make a nest at Genkyuen Garden in Hikone, Shiga.180 views
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Kabuki-like179 views
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Ii Naosuke's portrait painted by Kano Eigaku (狩野永岳). He wrote the poem above the painting offered to Seiryoji temple in Hikone. 179 views
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178 views
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Ceiling of Hikone Castle tower.178 views
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Where Hiko-nyan's helmet design came from.178 views
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The matchlock guns make a huge bang.177 views
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Hiko-nyan merchandise in Heiwado177 views
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Cormorants. There are to many of them and they deplete fisheries in the lake and cause forest damage.176 views
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View of Takeshima176 views
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Entrance to Hikone Castle Museum. A reconstruction of the castle palace completed in 1987 to mark Hikone city's 50th anniversary. Admission charged.175 views
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Finally you see the main castle tower or Tenshukaku. Hikone Castle was completed in 1622 after 20 years of construction by Lord Ii Naotsugu who started building the caslte in 1603 upon his deceased father Naomasa's wish.175 views
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Hashi Yukio sings in front of Yuru-Kyara characters in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. He sang a few numbers.174 views
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174 views
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During the weekend of Oct. 24-25, 2009 on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road near Hikone Castle, the mascot character festival was held amid product PR booths. ゆるキャラ ふれあい物産展174 views
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Ii clan samurai armor and helmet. Remember this helmet because it also appears on Hikone's official mascot Hiko-nyan (photos below).174 views
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Inside Umaya Horse Stable, open to the public for the 400th anniversary onward in 2007.173 views
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Hikone Byobu folding screen is a National Treasure and exhibited for a few weeks in April-May. Read more here173 views
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Fireman's ladder acrobatics172 views
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The garden served as the location of one scene in the TV mini-series "Shogun."171 views
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Umaya Horse Stable. The only castle in Japan to have a large horse stable intact. The L-shaped building originally extended further toward Omotemon Bridge. 170 views
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168 views
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Inside Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.168 views
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View of Takeshima167 views
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Map of Hikone. Hikone Castle is famous as being only one of five castles in Japan designated as a National Treasure. The tenshu castle tower is original, and you can enter it to get a good idea of what a real castle looked like.167 views
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Cherry blossoms, castle moat, and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.166 views
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Hikone Castle was built with many structures and materials transferred other Shiga castles such as Otsu Castle, Nagahama Castle, Odani Castle, Kannonji, and Sawayama Castle. This greatly reduced the cost and time required to complete the castle.166 views
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165 views
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Chrysanthemum looking like Hiko-nyan.165 views
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164 views
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Nichiren statue is next to the giant stone monument.163 views
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162 views
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Time-Keeping Bell. The bell was recast in 1844. 時報鐘 - Jihosho. Next to the bell is a tea house called Choshoan. The 13th lord of the castle, Ii Naosuke was a diligent practitioner of the tea ceremony.162 viewsThe famous phrase "Ichigo Ichie" (One Encounter, One Chance) was coined by him in a tea ceremony book titled "Chanoyu Ichie-shu" （茶の湯一会集）.
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Enter Takeshima161 views
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Entrance to castle. The ticket office is where you pay castle admission. You can also buy a ticket set which includes admission to Genkyuen Garden (recommended). Open 8:30 am to 5 pm.161 views
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159 views
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Originally built in 1622, the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret is designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. Part of it was rebuilt in 1960.159 views
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158 views
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Another exit is this Kuromon Gate. This might be a better exit if you also want to visit Genkyuen Garden (recommended). 黒門158 views
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Takeshima shows many different shapes depending on your viewpoint. A Nichiren temple and the priest's family are on the island. Boat for Takeshima at Hikone Port. The island is only 6.5 km from Hikone.157 views
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The left building is an Important Cultural Property rebuilt in 1771. It has a corner turret on the left end and we used to be able to enter it through a side entrance from behind. 157 views
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Steps leading to Taikomon Gate. Before that, you can pay to have tea under the red umbrella front of the tea house and Time-Keeping Bell.157 views
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156 views
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View of Takeshima156 views
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156 views
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155 views
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Omotezaka Path to castle tower. Not good for wheel chairs or those who don't like to climb stairs.155 views
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From the Iroha pine tree road, you will see this Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.154 views
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It says that the stone monument oozed blood when Ii Naosuke, Lord of Hikone, was assassinated in Tokyo by samurai radicals from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture.153 views
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Kadomatsu decoration for New Year's. Hikone Castle Museum is in the background. During New Year's, they served free hot ama-zake (sweet sake) to all visitors.153 views
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Hikone was important as the crossroads of the Nakasendo Road (中山道) to Kyoto and Hokurikudo Road (北陸道) to the northwest. It also linked the roads to boat transportation on Lake Biwa for Kyoto.153 views
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"Hiko" refers to Hikone, and "nyan" is a baby word for cat. Hiko-nyan's appearance schedule is here.153 viewsIf it rains, Hiko-nyan appears at the Castle Museum. Hiko-nyan is a white cat wearing a red samurai helmet with horns, modeled after the one worn by Lord Ii Naomasa, the first lord of Hikone Castle.
Hiko-nyan also makes guest appearances at various events to promote Hikone. He has even traveled to Hawaii to appear in a Japan parade in Waikiki.
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Time-Keeping Bell or Jiho-sho. It is rung five times daily at 6:00, 9:00, 12:00 noon, 15:00, and 18:00. Also see my YouTube video here.152 views
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Castle moat and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret. Hikone Castle was home to a total of 14 Ii lords until Ii Naosuke. The Ii family remained close to the Tokugawa and the family head traditionally served as the Tokugawa government's Chief Minist152 views
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Nichiren statue. Nichiren was the founder of the Nichiren Sect of Japanese Buddhism.151 views
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151 views
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At the intersection, straight ahead is Gokoku Shrine (護国神社) dedicated to Shiga's war dead. You can go through the shrine or turn left toward Hikone Castle.151 views
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151 views
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During 1957 to 1960, this castle tower was disassembled and repaired.151 views
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Almost no one in the boat150 views
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Hikone Castle and Genkyu-en fall colors150 views
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Behind the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.150 views
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149 views
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Lotus Sutra monument. In the early 17th century when the temple was built here, it took 3 years to carve out these characters on this stone slab. According to legend, this monument oozed blood when Ii Naosuke, Lord of Hikone, was assassinated in Tokyo.149 views
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148 views
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Genkyuen entrance gate at night in autumn.148 views
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View from castle tower, Takeshima in Lake Biwa. Takeshima is a small island near Hikone. 多景島 Photos here.148 views
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Omotemon Bridge147 views
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Inside Hikone Castle Museum are samurai armor exhibits.147 views
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146 views
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Hiko-nyan does not talk or even "meow." He speaks through a handler or translator. Basically, he (or it) just struts around and makes cute poses with or without a prop.146 viewsAnother legend says that as soon as the cat beckoned Naotaka into the temple, lightning struck the tree where he was standing. Thus, the cat saved his life.
This legendary cat connection gave birth to the idea behind Hiko-nyan. This same legend is also one theory for the origin of the ubiquitous beckoning cat you see at shops and restaurants in Japan. The beckoning cat can be called Hiko-nyan's cousin.
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The Hikone Castle Museum replicated the daimyo's living quarters that included this tea ceremony room.145 views
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Omotemon Bridge and Gate 表門145 views
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Living quarters143 views
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The tenbin Yagura turret is said to have come from Nagahama Castle. (Important Cultural Property) 天秤櫓143 views
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Many daimyos assisted during the early phase. Most of the structures and stones came from defunct castles in Omi like Otsu, Nagahama, Odani, and Sawayama to reduce the construction time and cost.143 views
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Naomasa planned to build a new castle, but died in 1602 from an old Sekigahara gunshot wound before construction began.143 views
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Otsu Hikaru-kun from Otsu, Shiga to promote the 1000th anniversary in 2008 of the novel Genji Monogatari written in Ishiyama-dera temple in Otsu. おおつ光ルくん (滋賀 大津市）142 views
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In front of Hikone Station, welcome banners for Hikone Castle's 400th anniversary in 2007 surround a statue of Ii Naomasa.142 views
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Rokabashi Bridge (廊下橋) goes to the Tenbin Yagura (天秤櫓) whose stone wall differs between the left and right.142 views
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Musubi-maru to promote tourism in Sendai, Miyagi Pref. Rice ball modeled after Lord Date Masamune. むすび丸 (宮城 仙台市）142 views
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About the Ii clan's samurai armor. It was all red.142 views
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Hikone Castle as seen from Lake Biwa.141 views
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We cannot cross this bridge.141 views
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View of castle grounds as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret. The Umaya Horse Stable is on the right.141 views
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Time when Hiko-nyan (Hikone's official mascot) will appear today.141 views
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Noh play on the Noh stage inside Hikone Castle Museum.141 views
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Yanana was the weirdest and least mascot-like. It's actually a mermaid and she danced around the place, shaking her hips. Promoted Yanagase Shopping Arcade in Gifu city. Her head is shaped like an arcade. やなな (岐阜 岐阜市柳ヶ瀬商店街140 views
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Ceiling structure inside Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.140 views
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Behind the rebuilt Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret, now the Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.140 views
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. This turret is said to have formerly been the tenshu castle tower of Odani Castle in Nagahama. 西の丸三重櫓140 views
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Iroha-matsu pine tree and sakura140 views
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Inside the Kaikoku Kinenkan museum in 2007, the castle's 400th anniversary.140 views
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Photography is allowed only in this room of the museum.140 views
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Sawayama Castle (佐和山城) came with the domain, but Naomasa did not like it, being outdated and the former castle of Ishida Mitsunari (石田 三成) who lost at Sekigahara.140 views
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Red dots indicate old castle sites in Hikone.140 views
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139 views
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139 views
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Humanoid mascots were the most numerous. This is Chacha-hime, based on the eldest daughter Chacha (later Lady Yodo-dono) of Lord Azai Nagamasa and Oichi (sister of Oda Nobunaga) who lived in Odani Castle in Kohoku-cho. 茶々姫139 views
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Dummy horse in the horse stable.139 views
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139 views
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Hiko-nyan, the King of yuru-characters in Japan, and Tawawa-chan.138 views
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Corridor138 views
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In 1616, the construction's 3rd phase was begun to build the castle palace. Construction was henceforth carried out by local Hikone workers without outside help. The castle construction was completed in 1622.138 views
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Moat as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret in spring.138 views
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Tenbin Yagura turret in spring. This is also one location where the film Idai Naru, Shurararabon (偉大なる、しゅららぼん The Great Shu Ra Ra Boom) was filmed.138 views
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Scale model shows the Omote Goten Palace.138 views
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137 views
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Being open to the public from 2008, the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret now has a stairway on the right. (Update: This stairway is gone and the public cannot enter this turret.)137 views
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137 views
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View of the Iroha road as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.137 views
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The stable is in remarkable condition, and the only one in Japan existing within a castle grounds.137 views
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137 views
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The info sign also has a sticker with a QR code to be read by your compatible cell phone. You can then access the respective URL and see more information.137 views
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Hikone Byobu (彦根屏風) is a 17th-century National Treasure (国宝) folding screen. Painted on gold leaf, it shows a fashion-leading pleasure quarters scene in Kyoto (京都の遊里).137 views
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137 views
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136 views
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Two crab mascots to promote Kasumi, Hyogo Pref. On the left is Matsuba-kun (male, wearing a blue cap), and on the left is Kasumi-chan, a female crab with a yellow ribbon. Not sure if they're married. Crabs are a major product of Kasumi.松葉くん (136 views
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Steps to Taikomon Gate.136 views
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The castle tower is not as large as Himeji or Matsumoto, but the construction on the inside is original.136 views
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Map of Hikone Castle as it is today.136 views
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Biwa instrument displayed in Hikone Castle Museum.136 views
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135 views
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Shimasako-nyan, a cat based on one of Ishida Mitsunari's retainers. しまさこにゃん、ひこね「街の駅」寺子屋 力石マスコットキャラクター135 views
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Entrance to Umaya Horse Stable. Open to the public, free admission.135 views
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Tenbin Yagura135 views
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Taikomon Yagura Turret. This is the gate right before you reach the main castle tower. "Taikomon" means Taiko Drum Gate. It had a taiko drum that was beaten to convey signals to the inner castle. Important Cultural Property. 太鼓門135 views
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Entrance to tower. There are a few very steep staircases. Wearing high heels and miniskirts are not recommended.135 views
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About the Umaya Horse Stable in English, Korean, and Chinese.135 views
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Statue of Lord Ii Naomasa (井伊 直政 1561-1602 ) in front of JR Hikone Station. One of the four great generals (徳川四天王) who helped Tokugawa Ieyasu win the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原合戦) in 1600 to unify Japan and become shogun.135 views
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134 views
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134 views
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The rear of the left-side and original Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret, before being opened to the public.134 views
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View from Hikone Castle tower134 views
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Another museum centerpiece is this Edo-Period Noh stage, the only original palace structure. Noh is performed in spring and autumn.134 views
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Notice the tobacco pipe and Western dog too. Artist is unknown, but likely belonged to the Kano school of Japanese painting (狩野派). 134 views
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Although the Honjin is long gone, there are a few reminders of its shukuba past. Near Ohmi Railways Toriimoto Station. Map133 views
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Viva City, a shopping mall and theater complex near Minami Hikone Station.133 views
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133 views
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The Ninomaru Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura (二の丸佐和口多聞櫓) has left and right buildings that used to be connected by a bridge-like Sawaguchi Gate in the middle. A yagura was a storehouse (for weapons, etc.) that had a small watchtower or turret.133 views
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View of the other side of the rebuilt Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret (now a museum).133 views
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Rokabashi Bridge (廊下橋) going to the Tenbin Yagura (天秤櫓) could be demolished in case of enemy attack. Tenbin Yagura's stone wall differs between the left and right.133 views
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Corridor133 views
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The right side of the turret is now the Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.133 views
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Sign says Hikone Castle is one of the "Omi Hakkei" or Eight Views of Omi.133 views
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Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret and cherry blossoms. Tamon yagura were long corridor-type turrets.133 views
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Omotemon Bridge and cherry blossoms133 views
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132 views
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Steps to Taikomon Gate.132 viewsThis is also one location where the film Idai Naru, Shurararabon (偉大なる、しゅららぼん The Great Shu Ra Ra Boom) was filmed. Where Kiyoko rides her horse up the steps.
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Right side of Tenbin Yagura turret in spring with cherry blossoms.132 views
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Letter written by Ii Naosuke is also displayed in the Hikone Castle Museum.132 views
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Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret131 views
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English information sign for Taikomon Gate.131 views
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131 views
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Hikone Port130 views
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Iroha-matsu pine tree and banner.130 views
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Under the bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret.130 views
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130 views
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Hikone Castle has bell-shaped windows at the top.130 views
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130 views
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130 views
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To Takeshima129 views
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Inside the main room at Rakuraku-en 楽々園129 views
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We can peer inside the rooms from outside, but cannot actually enter the building.129 views
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Tea ceremony room129 views
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Behind the horse stable.129 views
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Tenbin Yagura turret on the left.129 views
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Inside Tenbin Yagura turret now open to the public since 2007.129 views
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Inside Taikomon Gate.129 views
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View from castle tower129 views
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Sign says Hikone Castle is one of the "Omi Hakkei" or Eight Views of Omi in spring.129 views
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Matchlock gun129 views
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A variety of people, fashion, hairstyles, and objects from that era are depicted. See people playing the samisen, playing sugoroku Japanese backgammon, or writing a love letter.129 views
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129 views
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Toriimoto Station building built in 1931 when the station opened and still in use.128 views
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128 views
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Ieyasu rewarded Naomasa with the strategic domain of Hikone (mainly Hikone, Maibara, Nagahama, Taga), making Naomasa the first Hikone daimyo (feudal lord 大名) in Omi Province (近江国).128 views
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128 views
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Namu-kun from Nara to celebrate the 1300th anniversary of Nara. "Namu" is based on "Namu Amida butsu" and "Namu Horengekyo." なーむくん (奈良 奈良市）127 views
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The rear of the castle tower.127 views
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126 views
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Another bizarre mascot was Papa-tako, an octopus from Akaishi, Hyogo Pref. パパたこ（兵庫 明石市）126 views
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Left end of Tenbin Yagura turret.126 views
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