Image search results - "hikone"
001-IMG_9077.jpg
Toriimoto-juku is the sixty-third of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the fourth Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Bamba-juku in Maibara), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga.
002-IMG_9113.jpg
Although the Honjin is long gone, there are a few reminders of its shukuba past. Near Ohmi Railways Toriimoto Station. Map
003-IMG_9078.jpg
Ohmi Railways Toriimoto Station platform
004-IMG_9079.jpg
Ohmi Railways Toriimoto Station building
005-IMG_9080.jpg
Ohmi Railways Toriimoto Station building
006-IMG_9084.jpg
Toriimoto Station building built in 1931 when the station opened and still in use.
006a-64_Toriimoto.jpg
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Toriimoto (64th post town on the Nakasendo) from his Kisokaido series.
007-IMG_9082.jpg
Toriimoto-juku is the sixty-third of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the fourth Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Bamba-juku in Maibara), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga.
008-IMG_9112.jpg
009-IMG_9085.jpg
Site of Honjin Lodge
010-IMG_9087.jpg
Nakasendo Road
011-IMG_9088.jpg
012-IMG_9091.jpg
013-IMG_9092.jpg
Police station
014-IMG_9093.jpg
015-IMG_9095.jpg
Plaque
016-IMG_9099.jpg
017-IMG_9100.jpg
Road marker
018-IMG_9102.jpg
Road marker: Go left for the Nakasendo Road or right for the Hikone Road.
019-IMG_9103.jpg
020-IMG_9107.jpg
Yakuimon Gate at the Arikawa machiya home. Emperor Meiji rested at the Arikawa home. A family still lives in this home. 有川家住宅 薬医門
021-IMG_9110.jpg
Main building of the Arikawa home, Toriimoto's most distinguished-looking building. This main building was built in 1759. The Arikawa family were a drug manufacturer. The home was designated as an Important Cultural Property in 2012.
022-IMG_9111.jpg
170-IMG_3306.jpg
Verse 5 Lyrics (Hikone) 五番の英訳(彦根)Sharp arrows buried deeply, way into the ground.
Abundant summer grasses, a moat still remains.
Standing in an old castle, all alone oneself.
Hira and Ibuki too, only but a dream.

矢の根は 深く埋もれて
夏草しげき 堀のあと
古城にひとり 佇めば
比良も伊吹も 夢のごと

Ya no ne wa, fukaku uzumorete
Natsukusa shigeki, hori no ato
Kojo ni hitori, tatazumeba
Hira mo Ibuki mo, yume no goto
--
This is the only verse where the setting is not specifically mentioned. The only hint is "old castle," which must be either Nagahama Castle or Hikone Castle. It is likely that it is Hikone Castle with its authentic castle tower and moats.
See more photos of Hikone here.
172-IMG_2533.jpg
"Abundant summer grasses, a moat still remains"
176-IMG_2714.jpg
Hikone Castle
177-2490p.jpg
178-IMG_2475.jpg
More photos of Hikone Castle here.The castle tower is a National Treasure. Hikone Castle is one of only five castle towers in Japan designated as National Treasures. (The others being Himeji, Inuyama, Matsumoto, and Matsue Castles. Nijo Castle in Kyoto is also a National Treasure, but it does not have a castle tower.)

See more photos of Hikone Castle here.
cg100-20091023_7875.jpg
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."On 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
cg101-20091023_7876.jpg
Hikone Bunka Plaza's Grand Hall. Still photography was permitted, but no videos and tripods. The event was a stage show of all the mascot characters appearing on stage. They held three shows on this day. ひこね市文化プラザ グランドホ
cg102-20091023_7881.jpg
I attended the 3 pm show which was the only show when famous singer Hashi Yukio would appear and sing with the mascot characters. Admission was 1,000 yen. ゆるキャラ大集合
cg103-20091023_7883.jpg
First they introduced Shiga's mascot characters including Hiko-nyan.
cg104-20091023_7884.jpg
Shiga's mascot characters
cg105-20091023_7900.jpg
Then they introduced Miura Jun (right), the man who coined the word "yuru-kyara."
cg106-20091023_7903.jpg
Then the curtain was lifted to show all the mascot characters as the audience began snapping pictures in a frenzy.
cg107-20091023_7912.jpg
Yuru-kyara mascot characters on stage in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.
cg108-20091023_7955.jpg
cg109-20091023_7913.jpg
cg110-20091023_7915.jpg
cg111-20091023_7916.jpg
cg112-20091023_7923.jpg
Singer Hashi Yukio then appeared on stage.
cg113-20091023_7948.jpg
Some talking between Hashi and Miura. (The woman is the MC.)
cg114-20091023_7951.jpg
Hashi Yukio sings the "Yuru-kyara Ondo" in front of Yuru-Kyara characters in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.
cg115-20091023_7989.jpg
Hashi Yukio sings the "Yuru-kyara Ondo" in front of Yuru-Kyara characters in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.
cg116-20091023_8003.jpg
Hashi Yukio even danced with a few mascot characters.
cg117-20091023_8015.jpg
Hashi Yukio
cg118-20091023_8030.jpg
Hashi Yukio sings in front of Yuru-Kyara characters in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. He sang a few numbers.
cg119-20091023_7918.jpg
cg120-20091023_8063.jpg
And there they are on stage in Hikone. Notably absent was Sento-kun from Nara. (Boy priest with antlers.)
cg121-20091023_8056.jpg
cg122-20091023_8072.jpg
cg123-20091023_8074.jpg
Hiko-nyan and mouse.
cg124-20091023_8082.jpg
cg125-20091023_8084.jpg
cg126-20091023_8093.jpg
cg127-20091023_8098.jpg
Tabimaru from Kusatsu, Shiga.
cg128-20091023_8100.jpg
cg129-20091023_8102.jpg
cg130-20091023_8113.jpg
cg131-20091023_8120.jpg
cg132-20091023_8124.jpg
cg133-20091023_8133.jpg
cg134-20091023_8144.jpg
Hashi Yukio's "Yuru-Kyara Ondo" CD was also on sale in the hall lobby as well as Yuru-kyara books autographed by Miura Jun.
cg135-20091023_8156.jpg
Meanwhile, outside the Hikone Bunka Plaza Hall were hordes of people crowding around the mascot characters.
cg136-20091023_7868.jpg
cg137-20091023_7839.jpg
Two catfishes: Magnee (Shiga Lakestars mascot) and Caffy (sports mascot).
cg138-20091023_7843.jpg
Food mascots
cg139-20091023_7847.jpg
cg140-20091023_7852.jpg
Pig
cg141-20091023_7858.jpg
cg142-20091023_7870.jpg
cg143-20091023_7856.jpg
cg144-20091023_7873.jpg
cg145-20091023_8150.jpg
cg146-20091023_8151.jpg
cg147-20091023_8152.jpg
cg148-20091023_8155.jpg
cg149-20091023_8166.jpg
cg150-20091023_8167.jpg
cg151-20091023_8172.jpg
Mori from Moriyama, Shiga
cg152-20091023_8175.jpg
Ninjaemon ninja mascot from Koka, Shiga
cg153-20091023_8180.jpg
cg154-20091023_8182.jpg
cg155-20091023_8185.jpg
cg156-20091023_8187.jpg
Mailman
cg157-20091023_8191.jpg
cg159-20091023_8197.jpg
cg160-20091023_8199.jpg
cg161-20091023_8202.jpg
Inflatable mascot
cg162-20091023_8205.jpg
One of many cats.
cg163-20091023_8206.jpg
cg164-20091023_8211.jpg
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)
cg165-20091023_8217.jpg
cg166-20091023_8220.jpg
cg167-20091023_8221.jpg
cg168-20091023_8224.jpg
Turbo-kun based on pop singer Takanori Nishikawa of T.M. Revolution who hails from Shiga Prefecture. He is an official tourism ambassador for Shiga.
cg169-20091024_8234.jpg
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
cg170-20091024_8235.jpg
Hardly anyone patronized the booths. Everyone was busy chasing after and photographing numerous mascot characters. Over 70,000 people attended the festival during the three days. 夢京橋キャッスルロード
cg171-20091024_8249.jpg
cg172-20091024_8238.jpg
They had a lot more mascot characters than the previous year.
cg173-20091024_8240.jpg
cg174-20091024_8242.jpg
Kabuki-like
cg188-20091024_8267.jpg
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)
cg195-20091024_8333.jpg
Sagawa family of mascots from Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama, Shiga.
cg204-20091024_8346.jpg
Official mascots of Maibara, Shiga Prefecture. A pair of fireflies.
cg205-20091024_8354.jpg
Mama firefly from Maibara
cg216-20091024_8404.jpg
Hiko-nyan arrives on a cart pulled by bicycle. He didn't stop and kept going.
cg217-20091024_8406.jpg
Hiko-nyan is the most popular character, but he was least seen and not available to the public. No one could get close.
cg242-20091024_8475.jpg
Takumi Ponzan, a tanuki potter mascot from Shigaraki, Koka, Shiga
cg252-20091024_8516.jpg
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
cg261-20091024_8558.jpg
Vivace-kun is a beaver promoting Viva City shopping mall in Hikone, Shiga. ビバッチェくん (滋賀 彦根市)
cg280-20091024_8623.jpg
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)
ch180-20081025_5621.jpg
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. Map
ch181-20081025_5313.jpg
Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road was closed off to traffic for this festival. First they were going to hold the festival at a shopping center, but switched to this place after realizing how popular the event would be.
ch182-20081025_5340.jpg
The road was lined with PR booths for each mascot. They promoted products or tourism. The event saw about 46,000 visitors during the two days. The festival's official Web site is here.
ch183-20081025_5356.jpg
About 46 mascots showed up during the two days. I went on the first day. They are called "yuru-kyara" (ゆるキャラ) in Japanese which means "loose characters." (Don't ask me what that means.)
ch184-20081025_5321.jpg
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)
ch185-20081025_5322.jpg
Namu-kun is modeled after Shotoku Taishi who introduced Buddhism to Japan. Created by a Buddhist association in Nara in opposition to Sento-kun (see below). But Namu-kun and Sento-kun played together at this festival in peace.
ch186-20081025_5426.jpg
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)
ch187-20081025_5404.jpg
Kamon-chan is a princess created by students at Shiga Univ. for Ii Naosuke and the 150th anniversary of Japan's opening to the world. カモンちゃん (滋賀 彦根市)
ch188-20081025_5407.jpg
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
ch189-20081025_5432.jpg
Yoemon-kun, the mascot for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Confucian scholar Nakae Toju from Takashima, Shiga Pref. よえもん君 (滋賀 高島市)
ch190-20081025_5460.jpg
Musubi-maru to promote tourism in Sendai, Miyagi Pref. Modeled after Lord Date Masamune. むすび丸 (宮城 仙台市)
ch191-20081025_5539.jpg
Toshinaga-kun to promote the 400th anniversary of Takaoka, Toyama Pref. Based on Lord Maeda Toshinaga. 利長くん (富山 高岡市)
ch192-20081025_5411.jpg
Who's this baby wandering around Yonbancho shopping center?
ch193-20081025_5413.jpg
A baby sumo wrestler?
ch194-20081025_5467.jpg
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)
ch195-20081025_5603.jpg
Chikamon-kun from Sabae, Fukui Pref. Modeled on Chikamatsu Monzaemon for his 345th birthday. ちかもんくん (福井 鯖江市)
ch196-20081025_5512.jpg
A tall Tsunuga-kun from Tsuruga, Fukui Pref. To celebrate the Tsuruga's 100th anniversary of its port opening. The mascot is based on a Korean prince. Many ships plied between Tsuruga and the Korean Peninsula. ツヌガくん (福井 敦賀市)
ch197-20081025_5466.jpg
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
ch198-20081025_5475.jpg
The main draw by far was Sento-kun from Nara. The place had two small stages where they introduced each mascot. A huge crowd gathered to see Sento-kun appear on stage.
ch199-20081025_5470.jpg
Everyone snap away with their camera phones when Sento-kun got on stage.
ch200-20081025_5490.jpg
Introducing Sento-kun.
ch201-20081025_5493.jpg
Sento-kun, a boy priest with deer antlers to promote the 1300th anniversary of Nara. せんとくん (奈良 奈良市)
ch202-20081025_5486.jpg
Sento-kun was controversial because people thought the deer antlers were an insult to the Buddha. This controversy has ironically made this mascot the most popular and famous.
ch203-20081025_5525.jpg
PR booth for Sento-kun and Nara.
ch204-20081025_5553.jpg
After the stage appearance, Sento-kun appeared in front of his PR booth on the street. A huge crowd again formed to see him.
ch205-20081025_5583.jpg
Sento-kun in front of his PR booth ogled by a large crowd. We couldn't touch him.
ch206-20081025_5580.jpg
Sento-kun in his trademark pose. Also see my YouTube video here.
ch207-20081025_5573.jpg
"So what do you think of Sento-kun?" This event made news headlines on TV and in the newspapers.
ch208-20081025_5446.jpg
Hiko-nyan did not walk around the road. He only appeared on stage as an "escort" for the mascots being introduced every 15 min. all day.
ch209-20081025_5448.jpg
Hiko-nyan, the King of yuru-characters in Japan, and Tawawa-chan.
ch210-20081019_3668.jpg
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
ch211-20081025_5605.jpg
Cat mascots were numerous.
ch212-20081025_5351.jpg
Saba-tora Nana-chan is a cat with stripes from mackerel (saba). See the fish in her pouch. Promote Obama in Fukui Pref. さばトラななちゃん (福井 小浜市)
ch213-20081025_5373.jpg
Tiger
ch214-20081025_5522.jpg
Dogs were fewer than cats. Kurawanko from Osaka. Based on the local dialectical word "Kurawanka" (Wanna eat?). くらわんこ (大阪 枚方宿鍵屋浦)
ch215-20081025_5544.jpg
Another dog, Karawan-kun to promote castle town Karatsu, Saga Pref. 唐ワンくん (佐賀 唐津市)
ch216-20081025_5523.jpg
Bird mascots were also numerous, like Unagappa from Tajimi, Gifu Pref. うながっぱ (岐阜 多治見市)
ch217-20081025_5338.jpg
Habatan is phoenix from Hyogo Pref. to promote a national sports meet. はばタン (兵庫)
ch218-20081025_5330.jpg
Trippy from Tottori Pref. トリピー (鳥取県)
ch219-20081025_5574.jpg
Zoom-in.
ch220-20081025_5511.jpg
Other animals included a racoon dog
ch221-20081025_5380.jpg
Vivace-kun is a beaver promoting Viva City shopping mall in Hikone, Shiga. ビバッチェくん (滋賀 彦根市)
ch222-20081025_5524.jpg
Hiko-chu from Hikone. A Koga ninja mouse. Notice the shuriken on his left. Its creator seems to have been influenced too much by Mickey. ひこちゅう (滋賀 彦根市)
ch223-20081025_5506.jpg
The crowd at its thickest.
ch224-20081025_5364.jpg
Caffy, mascot for Sports Recreation Shiga 2008. It was his final appearance, but he has been resurrected in March 2009 to serve as another official mascot of Shiga Prefecture. キャッフィー(滋賀)
ch225-20081025_5444.jpg
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 (
ch226-20081025_5398.jpg
Sagawan (little sister) is the cutest of the bunch, promoting the Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama, Shiga. さがわん3兄弟(妹)(滋賀 守山市)
ch227-20081025_5535.jpg
Sagawan actually has two other siblings. she's the cute little sister.
ch228-20081025_5370.jpg
Another cutie is Mimi-chan from Minami-ku, Sakai, Osaka Pref. A female flower promoting Minami-ku. Notice the bee on her forehead. みみちゃん (大阪 堺市南区)
ch229-20081025_5425.jpg
Mimi-chan minus the body.
ch230-20081025_5342.jpg
Iga city PR booth passing out tourist pamphlets.
ch231-20081025_5353.jpg
Yanagase Shopping Arcade booth.
ch232-20081025_5345.jpg
Ogoton for promoting Ogoto Onsen Spa in Otsu, Shiga. His hairs represent the hot spring's steam. おごとん (滋賀 大津市雄琴温泉)
ch233-20081025_5434.jpg
Iga-gurio to promote Iga, Mie Pref. Surprised that's it's not a ninja character. いが☆グリオ(三重 伊賀市)
ch234-20081025_5619.jpg
Aoi-kun from Aoi-ku, Shizuoka. あおいくん (静岡 静岡市葵区)
ch235-20081025_5384.jpg
Local-chan from Takatsuki, Osaka. A giant chili pepper?? ロコちゃん (大阪 高槻市)
ch236-20081025_5428.jpg
Mamyu from the Kyoto International Manga Museum. He wears a pen on his head. About his name, "Ma" is manga, and "myu" is for museum. マミュー (京都 京都市)
ch237-20081025_5589.jpg
Pyuara promotes the waterworks bureau of Osaka city. Water droplet character. ぴゅあら (大阪 大阪市)
ch238-20081025_5541.jpg
Jiimo-kun from Kita-Kyushu, Fukuoka. じーもくん (福岡 北九州市門司区)
ch239-20081025_5548.jpg
Yaoi-chan from a shopping arcade in Kita-ku, Kyoto. やおいちゃん(京都 京都市北区 御薗橋801商店街)
ch240-20081025_5369.jpg
Tanemaru looks like a seed sprouting two leaves while in a boat. Mascot for Yokohama Port's 150th anniversary of its opening in 2009. 横浜開港150周年記念事業「たねまる」
ch241-20081025_5416.jpg
He wasn't in the guide book.
ch242-20081025_5325.jpg
Wataru from Kobe, Hyogo promotes the three bridges crossing from Honshu to Shikoku. (Notice the car on the head.) I thought it was a piece of toast walking around. わたる (兵庫 神戸市)
ch243-20081025_5361.jpg
I thought this was another piece of toast walking around, and I think I was right. Name's Kawarakki to promote healthy meals for children, from Takahama, Aichi Pref. かわら食人 カワラッキー (愛知 高浜市)
ch244-20081025_5392.jpg
Jaguji, one of the more bizarre-looking mascots, is based on a water faucet. Promotes the Board of Water Supply in the Osaka city. じゃぐ爺 (大阪 大阪市)
ch245-20081025_5590.jpg
Another bizarre mascot was Papa-tako, an octopus from Akaishi, Hyogo Pref. パパたこ(兵庫 明石市)
ch246-20081025_5389.jpg
Kumokkuru was created by a flower project group in Shibuya, Tokyo. I thought it was a baby monster from a Godzilla movie. くもっくる (東京 渋谷)
ch247-20081025_5451.jpg
Tawawa-chan promoting Kyoto Tower probably wishes that she could also smile. Also see my YouTube video here. たわわちゃん (京都 京都市)
ch248-20081025_5381.jpg
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)
ch249-20081025_5399.jpg
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)
ch250-20081025_5437.jpg
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)
cp200-IMG_8694.jpg
Nicknamed Little Edo (Koedo), the castle town of Hikone holds the annual Little Edo Hikone Castle Festival Parade on Nov. 3 from 1 pm to 3 pm.Very elaborate costume parade of mainly kids dressed as samurai and Edo-Period ladies. Highlights include the Hikone Gun Battalion giving a matchlock gun demo (in front of Horse Stable), Ii Naosuke played by an actor on horseback, fireman acrobatics, and Sarugaku dancers. The parade route starts from Joto Elementary School and proceeds along the road to the castle and passes in front of the Umaya Horse Stable. Short walk from JR Hikone Station. Parade route map:
http://www.hikoneshi.com/jp/event/articles/c/parade

Photo: Statue of Lord Ii Naomasa in front of Hikone Station.
cp201-IMG_8684.jpg
The main highlight of the festival is the Hikone Castle Festival Parade held in the afternoon of Nov. 3 (national holiday called Culture Day).
cp202-IMG_8689.jpg
The parade has children and adults dressed in historical costumes, especially the red samurai armor which was the trademark of the Ii clan. Even a modern samurai needs a cell phone.
cp203-IMG_8741.jpg
Castle parade route to Hikone Castle.
cp204-20091103_9506.jpg
These photos were taken on Nov. 3, 2009.
cp205-20091103_9510.jpg
Start of the Hikone Castle Parade on Nov. 3. Boy Scouts help out by carrying signs.
cp206-20091103_9513.jpg
Military band
cp207-20091103_9517.jpg
Dream Ambassador from Takamatsu, Kagawa Pref.
cp208-20091103_9526.jpg
Miss Plum Blossom from Mito, Ibaraki Pref. Mito's connection with Hikone lies in the radical samurai who assassinated Ii Naosuke near Edo Castle.
cp209-20091103_9529.jpg
Flags from sister cities.
cp210-20091103_9536.jpg
Miss Hikone Castle
cp211-20091103_9538.jpg
Miss Hikone Castle
cp212-20091103_9539.jpg
Tourist Site Clean Campaign
cp213-20091103_9540.jpg
Kawase Junior and Senior High School band.
cp214-20091103_9544.jpg
cp215-20091103_9545.jpg
cp216-20091103_9554.jpg
Asahinomori Elementary School in Hikone.
cp217-20091103_9560.jpg
Hikone Gun Battalion whose members are licensed to fire matchlock guns.
cp218-20091103_9567.jpg
Hikone Gun Battalion dressed like Ii Clan samurai with their trademark red armor nicknamed "Red Devils."
cp219-20091103_9565.jpg
Hikone Gun Battalion
cp220-20091103_9564.jpg
Little Edo Hikone Castle Festival Parade
cp221-20091103_9577.jpg
Ii Naosuke procession
cp222-20091103_9583.jpg
Ii Naosuke is portrayed by an actor.
cp223-20091103_9586.jpg
Ii Naosuke (井伊 直弼) (1815-1860) as the Tokugawa shogunate's Chief Minister (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world.
cp224-20091103_9593.jpg
Next are groups wearing period costumes. They are junior high schoolers.
cp225-20091103_9598.jpg
Heian Period (794-1185) women wearing veiled straw hats called ichime-gasa. 市女笠
cp226-20091103_9603.jpg
A few foreigners too.
cp227-20091103_9604.jpg
cp228-20091103_9605.jpg
cp229-20091103_9606.jpg
cp230-20091103_9609.jpg
Samurai laborers carrying luggage for a traveling daimyo.
cp231-20091103_9615.jpg
cp232-20091103_9617.jpg
cp233-20091103_9622.jpg
cp234-20091103_9631.jpg
Chief retainer who started the construction of Hikone Castle upon the wishes of Ii Naomasa. 家老の木俣守勝
cp235-20091103_9633.jpg
cp236-20091103_9636.jpg
A daimyo
cp237-20091103_9639.jpg
cp238-20091103_9645.jpg
cp239-20091103_9649.jpg
Samurai wives
cp240-20091103_9650.jpg
cp241-20091103_9657.jpg
Shrine maidens from Izumo
cp242-20091103_9663.jpg
Dancers from Muromachi Period (1337-1573)
cp243-20091103_9666.jpg
cp244-20091103_9673.jpg
Kamakura Period (1185–1333) women wearing veiled straw hats called ichime-gasa. 市女笠
cp245-20091103_9675.jpg
cp246-20091103_9682.jpg
Shirabyoshi dancers from the Heian Period.
cp247-20091103_9685.jpg
cp248-20091103_9687.jpg
Katsugi veiled kimono worn by the nobility in the Muromachi Period.
cp249-20091103_9688.jpg
cp250-20091103_9696.jpg
Soldiers from the Ii clan.
cp251-20091103_9698.jpg
Ii Clan's "Red Devil" samurai vassals wearing their trademark red armor.
cp252-20091103_9704.jpg
Banners with the crest of the Ii clan.
cp253-20091103_9709.jpg
Ii clan warriors
cp254-20091103_9711.jpg
cp255-20091103_9715.jpg
cp256-20091103_9720.jpg
cp257-20091103_9723.jpg
cp258-20091103_9731.jpg
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.
cp259-20091103_9744.jpg
cp260-20091103_9748.jpg
cp261-20091103_9749.jpg
cp262-20091103_9750.jpg
cp263-20091103_9751.jpg
cp264-20091103_9752.jpg
cp265-20091103_9755.jpg
Ii Naotaka
cp266-20091103_9759.jpg
cp267-20091103_9762.jpg
The Hikone Gun Battalion in formation for a firing demo.
cp268-20091103_9767.jpg
1096 files on 5 page(s) 1