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Takayama Ukon (1552-1615) is one of the least understood yet one of the most controversial daimyō of the later part of Japan’s Sengoku (warring states) period. A devout Christian, Ukon was a darling of the Jesuits, and as a result, his overlord, the Toyotomi Hideyoshi, eyed his loyalties suspiciously, even though he had fought well on some his military campaigns. Ukon’s original fief was in Takatsuki, located in present day Osaka, where he also had a castle. Ukon was a great propagator of his faith, converting his subjects to Catholicism—although some contest that many of these conversions were forced. The Samurai Archives Wiki states that 18,000 out of Takatsuki’s 25,000 inhabitants had been converted, and when Ukon was transferred from Takatsuki to his new fief of Akashi near Kobe in 1585. However, during Hideyoshi’s conquest of Kyushu, Hideyoshi’s suspicions of Ukon’s loyalties mounted and he was dispossessed of his fief. After taking refuge with another Christian daimyō, Konshi Yukinaga, Ukon eventually became a retainer of the powerful and influential Maeda Toshiie in 1588. Apparently, Toshiie trusted him. Persecution against Christianity only got worse, and in 1614, the Tokugawa banned the religion. Rather than give up his beliefs or fight for them, Ukon decided to go into exile in the Philippines in November of that year. A mere 40 days later, he died in Manila. It’s hard for me to make any judge Takayama Ukon. Was he a good daimyō? A brave general and not a coward as some have alleged? Did he actually force his citizens to convert to Christianity and persecute Buddhists? I honestly don’t know enough about him. All I can say is that he was a firm believer in his religious faith, and for this reason, he was lionized by his foreign Jesuit contemporaries and looked to as a historical hero by today’s Catholic community in Japan.
Now about the castle, Takatsuki-jō and its fief was ruled by the Nagai family during the Edo period. If you are a fan of the Bakumatsu period and know the history of Chōshū and the role that this domain played in overthrowing the Tokugawa Bakufu, then you may be familiar with the family name of “Nagai”. And if you look at the family crest of the Nagai of Takatsuki, you’d probably say it was identical to the crest of the Mōri, the ruling daimyō family of Chōshū. That’s because it is identical and the Nagai of Takatsuki are a branch of the Nagai of Chōshū, who were asked by the Tokugawa in 1649 to take over the reins of power in Takatsuki. The Nagai, starting with the first d daimyō, Nagamasa, ruled the area until 1869.
Takatsuki was an important commercial and transportation hub because it was between Osaka and Kyoto. The Saigoku road, which connected Nishinomiya (in Kobe) with Kyoto, went through the town as well as did the Yodo River. As a result, the castle was the largest in the Hokusetsu region of what now comprises the northern parts of the Osaka municipality. The Nagai gradually increased the size of the castle and expanded its moats outward from when it was a Sengoku period castle. The castle was about 630 meters long and 510 meters wide after the last round of expansion. Unfortunately, it was destroyed after the Meiji Restoration and the castle’s stone walls were smashed into rocks to be used for the rail bed that was built to connect Osaka with Kyoto.
Sources: Samurai Archives Samurai Wiki and the Takatsuki City’s Shiroato History Museum
Daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who succeeded Oda Nobunaga, was well-known for his unification of Japan, helping to bring to an end the Sengoku, or Warring States period.
At the age of 50, he finally fathered his only son, Sutemaru, or Tsurumatsu. The little boy must have well-loved and anticipated, as the only heir of Toyotomi, meant to carry on his dynasty. Sadly, this small prince only lived just over two years, dying in September 1591. The beauty and richness of the Momoyama period are shown here, in these items a rich and all powerful warlord bestowed upon his son.
From the Tokyo National exhibit Masterpieces of the Zen Culture from Myoshinji, February 2009.
Owned by Toyotomi Sutemaru (1598-5191).
Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century.
Helmet, H. 15.5 cm, D. 24.3 cm
The helmet is either leather or paper, pressed with gold foil.
Myoushinji Temple.
Koraku-en is one of Japan's three great gardens along with Kanazawa's Kenroku-en and Kairaku-en in Ibaraki. Koraku-en is part of the Okayama Castle grounds, which are just across a bridge. Originally built by daimyo Ikeda Tsunamasa, this garden dates back to 1700 and took over 13 years to complete.
Koraku-en. Okayama City, Okayama.
This is a reconstructed watchtower for the Yui honjin (inn for daimyo- feudal lords, high ranking samurai and imperial messengers) during the Edo period.
Heading from Tokyo to Kyoto along the old Edo Period Tōkaidō road, Yui was the 16th out of 53 post stations along the way. In the Edo period, Yui was a post town of fairly moderate prosperity. There was one honjin one sub-honjin, and 32 inns for "regular" travelers called hatago.
Okayama Castle was rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed by bombings in WWII. It was originally completed by the warlord Ukita Hideie, the daimyo of Bizen and Mimasaka provinces (these two provinces along with Bitchu make up the modern day Okayama Prefecture). Ukita's wife was also a daughter of Maeda Toshiie. The most important feature of the castle is its color as it is one of only two castles that I can think of which are painted almost entirely black. Because of it's color, it is nicknamed the "black crow" castle in contrast to the all white appearance of Himeji-jo which is sometimes referred to as the "white heron."
Okayama Castle. Okayama City, Okayama.
The legendary Date Masamune, a.k.a. "One-eyed Dragon," from the mega-hit "Sengoku Basara" video game is new entry in Kaiyodo's Revoltech toy line!
Stands about 14cm tall, the six katana-wielding daimyo has 20 points of articulation and has an impressive array of signature swords and other optional parts!!!
The only issue I have for this figure and newer Revoltech figures is that I can't seem to display the figure in an upright standing position due to its sculpt design.
The ruler of the Date clan known as the Dokuganryū (One-Eyed Dragon). Date Masamune is a cocky, ambitious warlord whose mannerism is very close to Dante of Devil May Cry's fame. He also tends to speak in a mixture of English.
Here he wields a single katana, but he can store and fight with six swords at once (three in each hand, held between the fingers). He's rival with Sanada Yukimura (Revoltech Series 080).
Masamune is one of five previous generals (the others are Sanada Yukimura, Maeda Keiji, Chōsokabe Motochika and Fūma Kotarō) in Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes to receive a three stage gaiden. His gaiden revolves around his elimination of Oda Nobunaga and his rivalry with Yukimura, though he does befriend him at some point.
Shunkō-in (春光院, Temple of the Ray of Spring Light) is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan and belongs to the Myōshin-ji (Temple of Excellent Mind) school, which is the largest among 14 Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhist schools. The temple was established in 1590 by Horio Yoshiharu, who was a feudal lord, or daimyō, of Matsue in present-day Shimane Prefecture. This temple houses important historical objects that reflect the multifaceted religious and artistic atmosphere in Japan from the sixteenth century onward.
The Bell of Nanban-ji is a Jesuit bell made in Portugal in 1577. The bell was used at Nanbanji Church, which was established by Jesuit Father Gnecchi-Soldo Organtino with the support of Oda Nobunaga in 1576. However, the church was destroyed in 1587 because Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi made the first law against Christians in Japan. The Bell came to Shunkō-in during the Edo period. During World War II, the grandfather of the present vice-abbot buried the bell in the temple gardens to prevent destruction by the state authorities.
The Edo period (between 1603 and 1867) was the dark age of Japanese Christians. Christianity was banned, and Christians were systematically eliminated by the Tokugawa shogunate, or Edo bakufu. However, some Christians kept their faith and hid their religious identity. Those hidden Christians made their crosses and graves to resemble the Buddhist statues, pagodas, and stone lanterns. Shunkō-in’s hidden Christian lantern is one of those religious objects.
Several sliding door panels at Shunkōin were painted by Kanō Eigaku. Some of the paintings have Confucian teachings as their theme. Confucianism was very important to samurai, or warriors, during the Edo period because Confucianism taught samurai about honor, loyalty, and honesty.
Kenroku-en (兼六園, Six Attributes Garden), located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, is an old private garden. Along with Kairaku-en and Kōraku-en, Kenroku-en is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. The grounds are open year-round except for December 29th through January 3rd during daylight hours and famous for its beauty in all seasons; an admission fee is charged. Kenroku-en was developed from the 1620s to the 1840s by the Maeda clan, the daimyōs who ruled the former Kaga Domain. Nearly the entire garden was destroyed by a massive fire in 1759. However, it is known from documents of the period that before the fire, the garden was often used and enjoyed by successive lords and retainers for "different banquet occasions such as viewing the moon ... enjoying colorful maples", and for admiring horses. The Shigure-tei teahouse – constructed in 1725 – miraculously survived the fire of 1759, and it offers evidence that not only was the tea ceremony present before the fire, but more importantly so was the culture associated with this elaborate ritual as it had a significant effect on garden design. Following the fire, the teahouse continued to be used and was completely restored during the Meiji period. It can still be seen today in the Renchitei section of the garden. Another object that existed in or around the garden before the fire of 1759 was the Kaisekito Pagoda, which is currently situated in Kenrokuen Garden on an island near the center of Hisago-ike Pond. The garden is located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle where it originally formed the outer garden and covers over 25 acres. It began in 1676 when the 5th daimyō Maeda Tsunanori moved his administration to the castle and began to landscape a garden in this vicinity. This garden was, however, destroyed by fire in 1759. The garden restoration was begun in 1774 by the 11th daimyō Harunaga, who created the Emerald Waterfall (Midori-taki) and Yugao-tei, a teahouse. Improvements continued in 1822 when the 12th daimyō Narinaga created the garden's winding streams with water drawn from the Tatsumi Waterway. The 13th daimyō Nariyasu subsequently added more streams and expanded the Kasumi Pond. With this, the garden's current form was complete. The garden was opened to the public on May 7, 1874. The garden was named by Matsudaira Sadanobu at the request of Narinaga. Its name was derived from the "Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens" (洛陽名園記), a book by the Chinese poet Li Gefei (李格非), and stands for the six attributes of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas.
Fukuoka Castle (福岡城) is a Japanese castle located in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. It is also known as Maizuru Castle (舞鶴城) or Seki Castle (石城). Completed in the early Edo period for tozama daimyo Kuroda Nagamasa, it has been decreed a historic site by the Japanese government.
The castle lies in the centre of Fukuoka, on top of Fukusaki hill. The Naka River (那珂), Naka-gawa in Japanese, acts as a natural moat on the eastern side of the castle, while the western side uses a mudflat as a natural moat. Hakata, a ward with a bustling port, is located on the opposite side of the Naka River to the east. The castle town was established on the northern side, facing the sea.
Much of the castle grounds has been converted to Maizuru Park, which houses several sports facilities, a courthouse, and an art museum. Heiwadai Baseball Stadium, the past home field of the Nishitetsu Lions and the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, was also located on the castle grounds. Some of the castle's gates as well as its towers and turrets, known as yaguras, are preserved inside the park, one of which has been marked as an important historical artifact by the Japanese government.
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Photograph taken by
Jos van der Heiden (2015)
Kensō-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Sōtō Sect which was established in the hilly Azabu District in the suburbs of Edo in honor of Nabeshima Tadatsugu, son of Nabeshima Katsushige, after his death from smallpox in 1635. Katsushige was the first lord of Saga Domain in Hizen Province (modern day Kyūshū) and was a loyal general to the shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu. His son built the temple to serve as the Nabeshima bodaiji, or funerary temple. There is a large graveyard located behind Kensō-ji were the daimyō and direct relatives of the Nabeshima clan are interred. When Katsushige died in 1657, 7 of his most loyal retainers committed suicide in an act called 殉死 (junshi) in order to follow their master in death. Behind Katsushige's large grave, there are 7 stone monuments "attending" him in Buddhism's endless cycle of death and rebirth.
Shunkō-in (春光院, Temple of the Ray of Spring Light) is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan and belongs to the Myōshin-ji (Temple of Excellent Mind) school, which is the largest among 14 Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhist schools. The temple was established in 1590 by Horio Yoshiharu, who was a feudal lord, or daimyō, of Matsue in present-day Shimane Prefecture. This temple houses important historical objects that reflect the multifaceted religious and artistic atmosphere in Japan from the sixteenth century onward.
The Bell of Nanban-ji is a Jesuit bell made in Portugal in 1577. The bell was used at Nanbanji Church, which was established by Jesuit Father Gnecchi-Soldo Organtino with the support of Oda Nobunaga in 1576. However, the church was destroyed in 1587 because Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi made the first law against Christians in Japan. The Bell came to Shunkō-in during the Edo period. During World War II, the grandfather of the present vice-abbot buried the bell in the temple gardens to prevent destruction by the state authorities.
The Edo period (between 1603 and 1867) was the dark age of Japanese Christians. Christianity was banned, and Christians were systematically eliminated by the Tokugawa shogunate, or Edo bakufu. However, some Christians kept their faith and hid their religious identity. Those hidden Christians made their crosses and graves to resemble the Buddhist statues, pagodas, and stone lanterns. Shunkō-in’s hidden Christian lantern is one of those religious objects.
Several sliding door panels at Shunkōin were painted by Kanō Eigaku. Some of the paintings have Confucian teachings as their theme. Confucianism was very important to samurai, or warriors, during the Edo period because Confucianism taught samurai about honor, loyalty, and honesty.
The large structure seen here is the Amida-do (Amida Hall). It contains an image of the Amida Nyorai. It was established in 1937 to commemorate the 1150th anniversary of Enryaku-ji.
Enryaku-ji is a sprawling temple complex located on one of Japan's most sacred mountains, Hiei-zan. It was founded by Saicho, who was mainly responsible for bringing the Tendai sect of Buddhism from China in the later part of the 8th century. At one point, the Enryaku-ji complex had as many as 3,000 sub-temples and became a powerful force both politically and militarily. These factors forced action by daimyo Oda Nobunaga who wanted to rid himself of factions such as the Enryaku-ji and Hongan-ji monks. Most of the complex was destroyed by Nobunaga in 1571. Today, it can be reached via cable car from either the Otsu or Kyoto side of Mt. Hiei. However, if you are scared of heights, I don't recommend it. It is the longest (2025m), and possibly the steepest cable car journey in Japan.
Enryaku-ji. Otsu, Shiga.
Taken inside the daimyo's palace at Kakegawa Castle.
Kakegawa Castle, strategically located along the old Tōkaidō Road in Shizuoka prefecture, is in the heart of one of Japan’s best tea cultivation centers. The peaceful atmosphere that prevails through the area wasn’t always so. Shizuoka prefecture used to be formally a part of Tōtōmi province, in a region known as the Enshū area, which was hotly contested by various warlords during Japan’s Sengoku warring states period that lasted from roughly 1477-1600. The first castle on the site of the present Kakegawa-jō was built in the late 15th century by Asahina Yasuhiro, a retainer of the house of Imagawa, which consolidated its hold over Tōtōmi during and after the Ōnin War (1467–1477). The Ashina continued to hold the castle on behalf of the Imagawa until shortly after their spectacular defeat at Okehazama in 1560. As the Imagawa faded into obscurity, Tōtōmi was carved into two spheres of influence controlled by the competing Tokugawa and Takeda families. The Ashina surrendered Kakegawa Castle to the Tokugawa in 1568.
After the Tokugawa switched fiefs and moved to the Kantō area in 1590, Kakegawa Castle was given by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to his retainer, Yamauchi Kazutoyo, who built up the castle and the town until he was given the domain of Tosa on the island of Shikoku following the battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Following the departure of the Yamauchi, various daimyo held the castle until it was given to the Ōta clan in 1746 who held it until the abolishment of the feudal system in 1872. The main keep that Yamanouchi Kazutoyo built was destroyed in an earthquake in 1604 and was rebuilt. However, another major quake rocked the region in 1854 and destroyed much of the castle, including the keep, which was not rebuilt. Following that quake, the daimyo at the time, Ōta Sukekatsu, rebuilt the wonderful ninomaru (second bailey) palace, which survives to this day. In 1994, using traditional methods and made of wood and stone (no concrete!).
This is a great castle and the ninomaru palace is just as equally fascinating. I highly recommend visiting this site if you are ever in western Shizuoka.
Kensō-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Sōtō Sect which was established in the hilly Azabu District in the suburbs of Edo in honor of Nabeshima Tadatsugu, son of Nabeshima Katsushige, after his death from smallpox in 1635. Katsushige was the first lord of Saga Domain in Hizen Province (modern day Kyūshū) and was a loyal general to the shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu. His son built the temple to serve as the Nabeshima bodaiji, or funerary temple. There is a large graveyard located behind Kensō-ji were the daimyō and direct relatives of the Nabeshima clan are interred. When Katsushige died in 1657, 7 of his most loyal retainers committed suicide in an act called 殉死 (junshi) in order to follow their master in death. Behind Katsushige's large grave, there are 7 stone monuments "attending" him in Buddhism's endless cycle of death and rebirth.
Hoshodai situated on a small mound in the Genkyū-en Garden at the base of Hikone Castle, Shiga Prefecture-Japan.
Arai Checkpoint was established in 1600 and was originally called Inagire Sekisho (checkpoint) throughout the Edo Period. This is because the checkpoint was originally located near Imagire-guchi—the point where Lake Hamana meets the Pacific Ocean. However, due to two natural disasters in 1699 and 1707, the checkpoint was moved to its present location.
Under orders of the Tokugawa Shogunate, checkpoints were set up to monitor travelers at strategic portions of the old Tōkaidō Road that linked the Shogun’s capital of Edo (Tokyo) with the Imperial capital of Kyoto. These checkpoints were important means of control for the Shogunate as they restricted the flow of guns and other contraband into Edo and made sure that the wives or daughters of feudal lords were not sneaking out of Edo without passes, The wives and children of daimyo were virtual hostages in Edo to help ensure the good behavior of the daimyo when the were back in their home fiefs.
The Shogunate directly controlled the Arai Checkpoint until 1702, when the job of overseeing its activities was handed over to the daimyo who ruled the fief of Yoshida, in Mikawa (present day Toyohashi in Aichi Prefecture). The current structure dates back to 1855, when it was rebuilt over a three-year period following the massive damage it received at the hands of a major earthquake in 1854. This is the only originally surviving checkpoint left in Japan. In 1955, the Japanese government designated the Arai Checkpoint a special historical site.
Kakegawa Castle, strategically located along the old Tōkaidō Road in Shizuoka prefecture, is in the heart of one of Japan’s best tea cultivation centers. The peaceful atmosphere that prevails through the area wasn’t always so. Shizuoka prefecture used to be formally a part of Tōtōmi province, in a region known as the Enshū area, which was hotly contested by various warlords during Japan’s Sengoku warring states period that lasted from roughly 1477-1600. The first castle on the site of the present Kakegawa-jō was built in the late 15th century by Asahina Yasuhiro, a retainer of the house of Imagawa, which consolidated its hold over Tōtōmi during and after the Ōnin War (1467–1477). The Ashina continued to hold the castle on behalf of the Imagawa until shortly after their spectacular defeat at Okehazama in 1560. As the Imagawa faded into obscurity, Tōtōmi was carved into two spheres of influence controlled by the competing Tokugawa and Takeda families. The Ashina surrendered Kakegawa Castle to the Tokugawa in 1568.
After the Tokugawa switched fiefs and moved to the Kantō area in 1590, Kakegawa Castle was given by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to his retainer, Yamauchi Kazutoyo, who built up the castle and the town until he was given the domain of Tosa on the island of Shikoku following the battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Following the departure of the Yamauchi, various daimyo held the castle until it was given to the Ōta clan in 1746 who held it until the abolishment of the feudal system in 1872. The main keep that Yamanouchi Kazutoyo built was destroyed in an earthquake in 1604 and was rebuilt. However, another major quake rocked the region in 1854 and destroyed much of the castle, including the keep, which was not rebuilt. Following that quake, the daimyo at the time, Ōta Sukekatsu, rebuilt the wonderful ninomaru (second bailey) palace, which survives to this day. In 1994, using traditional methods and made of wood and stone (no concrete!).
This is a great castle and the ninomaru palace is just as equally fascinating. I highly recommend visiting this site if you are ever in western Shizuoka.
this is the artwork i made for Daimyo.
it is super psychedelic.
i was inspired to his music.
you can find Daimyo's music & info on
Lords of the Samurai takes an intimate look at the daimyo, or provincial lords of the warrior class in feudal Japan. The Hosokawa clan, powerful military nobles with a 600-year-old lineage, embodied this duality of fierce warrior and refined gentleman.
The exhibition features more than 160 works from the Hosokawa family collection housed in the Eisei-Bunko Museum in Tokyo, and from Kumamoto Castle and the Kumamoto Municipal Museum in Kyushu. Objects on view include suits of armor, armaments (including swords and guns), formal attire, calligraphy, paintings, tea wares, lacquerware, masks, and musical instruments.
Meiji Monument is the figure of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, a legendary figure of Japanese mythology on par with King Arthur. The figure was erected in honor of lives lost during the Satsuma Rebellion. In addition, it is purported to be was the first outdoor bronze statue of a human figure to be erected in Japan / Kenroku-en (兼六園, Six Attributes Garden), located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, is an old private garden. Along with Kairaku-en and Kōraku-en, Kenroku-en is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. The grounds are open year-round except for December 29th through January 3rd during daylight hours and famous for its beauty in all seasons; an admission fee is charged. Kenroku-en was developed from the 1620s to the 1840s by the Maeda clan, the daimyōs who ruled the former Kaga Domain. Nearly the entire garden was destroyed by a massive fire in 1759. However, it is known from documents of the period that before the fire, the garden was often used and enjoyed by successive lords and retainers for "different banquet occasions such as viewing the moon ... enjoying colorful maples", and for admiring horses. The Shigure-tei teahouse – constructed in 1725 – miraculously survived the fire of 1759, and it offers evidence that not only was the tea ceremony present before the fire, but more importantly so was the culture associated with this elaborate ritual as it had a significant effect on garden design. Following the fire, the teahouse continued to be used and was completely restored during the Meiji period. It can still be seen today in the Renchitei section of the garden. Another object that existed in or around the garden before the fire of 1759 was the Kaisekito Pagoda, which is currently situated in Kenrokuen Garden on an island near the center of Hisago-ike Pond. The garden is located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle where it originally formed the outer garden and covers over 25 acres. It began in 1676 when the 5th daimyō Maeda Tsunanori moved his administration to the castle and began to landscape a garden in this vicinity. This garden was, however, destroyed by fire in 1759. The garden restoration was begun in 1774 by the 11th daimyō Harunaga, who created the Emerald Waterfall (Midori-taki) and Yugao-tei, a teahouse. Improvements continued in 1822 when the 12th daimyō Narinaga created the garden's winding streams with water drawn from the Tatsumi Waterway. The 13th daimyō Nariyasu subsequently added more streams and expanded the Kasumi Pond. With this, the garden's current form was complete. The garden was opened to the public on May 7, 1874. The garden was named by Matsudaira Sadanobu at the request of Narinaga. Its name was derived from the "Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens" (洛陽名園記), a book by the Chinese poet Li Gefei (李格非), and stands for the six attributes of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas.
The term "Japanese iris" encompasses three species of Irises cultivated in gardens or growing wild in Japan: hanashōbu (Iris ensata), kakitsubata (Iris laevigata) and ayame (Iris sanguinea). Of these three species, I. ensata is the one most commonly referred to as "Japanese iris" outside Japan. Hanashōbu grows in the wet land and is the most extensively cultivated variety in Japanese gardens and in gardens throughout the temperate zones / Kenroku-en (兼六園, Six Attributes Garden), located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, is an old private garden. Along with Kairaku-en and Kōraku-en, Kenroku-en is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. The grounds are open year-round except for December 29th through January 3rd during daylight hours and famous for its beauty in all seasons; an admission fee is charged. Kenroku-en was developed from the 1620s to the 1840s by the Maeda clan, the daimyōs who ruled the former Kaga Domain. Nearly the entire garden was destroyed by a massive fire in 1759. However, it is known from documents of the period that before the fire, the garden was often used and enjoyed by successive lords and retainers for "different banquet occasions such as viewing the moon ... enjoying colorful maples", and for admiring horses. The Shigure-tei teahouse – constructed in 1725 – miraculously survived the fire of 1759, and it offers evidence that not only was the tea ceremony present before the fire, but more importantly so was the culture associated with this elaborate ritual as it had a significant effect on garden design. Following the fire, the teahouse continued to be used and was completely restored during the Meiji period. It can still be seen today in the Renchitei section of the garden. Another object that existed in or around the garden before the fire of 1759 was the Kaisekito Pagoda, which is currently situated in Kenrokuen Garden on an island near the center of Hisago-ike Pond. The garden is located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle where it originally formed the outer garden and covers over 25 acres. It began in 1676 when the 5th daimyō Maeda Tsunanori moved his administration to the castle and began to landscape a garden in this vicinity. This garden was, however, destroyed by fire in 1759. The garden restoration was begun in 1774 by the 11th daimyō Harunaga, who created the Emerald Waterfall (Midori-taki) and Yugao-tei, a teahouse. Improvements continued in 1822 when the 12th daimyō Narinaga created the garden's winding streams with water drawn from the Tatsumi Waterway. The 13th daimyō Nariyasu subsequently added more streams and expanded the Kasumi Pond. With this, the garden's current form was complete. The garden was opened to the public on May 7, 1874. The garden was named by Matsudaira Sadanobu at the request of Narinaga. Its name was derived from the "Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens" (洛陽名園記), a book by the Chinese poet Li Gefei (李格非), and stands for the six attributes of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas.
Outside JR Azuchi station is a statue of one of Japan's greatest daimyo, Oda Nobunaga. Azuchi, located within a short journey from the capital in Kyoto, was a perfect base for Nobunaga's Azuchi castle. The castle no longer exists except for the stone base, but one can still visit the ruins.
Nobunaga (1534-1582) was perhaps the most powerful warlord in Japanese history. By the time of his premature death, he had conquered most of Japan and brought almost all opposition under his control. Nobunaga was responsible for many victorious campaigns, as well as seriously introducing firearms which were earlier acquired from Portugal. His relations with the Portuguese also led to accounts of his life written by Juao Rodriguez and other Jesuit missionaries. Nobunaga's life ended when he was betrayed by one of his top generals, Akechi Mitsuhide. Mitsuhide burned down Honno-ji, a temple in Kyoto, and many believe Nobunaga committed seppuku amid the flames.
Built in 1894, the Mitsubishi Ichigokan was the first office building in Tokyo's elite Marunouchi area, which due to it's proximity to Edo Castle (now the Imperial Palace), was home to the residences of some of Japan's most powerful feudal lords (daimyo). The architectural style of the building is in the "Queen Anne style"and was designed by the British architect Josiah Conder. The building served as the headquarters for Iwasaki Yutarō's Mitsubishi Corporation.
Soon after the completion of this building, more red brick office buildings cropped up all over Marunouchi and the area was nicknamed "Iccho London" (London Mile) as the area looked so much like a section out of Victorian period London. Although damaged by the bombing raids of WWII, the Mitsubishi Ichigokan survived only to be demolished in 1968 to give rise to a modern building. Thanks to restoration efforts, the building was faithfully restored and opened in April 2009. To help make this an accurate restoration, the original blue prints as well as photos taken of the exterior and the interior were used. Also, 2.3 million red bricks were made and laid using traditional techniques from the 1890s.
Flying Geese Bridge (Gankō-bashi) is made from 11 red andesite stones. The bridge was designed to look like a flock of geese flying in formation. The bridge also has an alternative name, Tortoise Shell Bridge, because it resembles a row of aligned tortoises. In Japanese mythology the tortoise is a symbol of longevity, so it is said that crossing this bridge can bring you long life / Kenroku-en (兼六園, Six Attributes Garden), located in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, is an old private garden. Along with Kairaku-en and Kōraku-en, Kenroku-en is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. The grounds are open year-round except for December 29th through January 3rd during daylight hours and famous for its beauty in all seasons; an admission fee is charged. Kenroku-en was developed from the 1620s to the 1840s by the Maeda clan, the daimyōs who ruled the former Kaga Domain. Nearly the entire garden was destroyed by a massive fire in 1759. However, it is known from documents of the period that before the fire, the garden was often used and enjoyed by successive lords and retainers for "different banquet occasions such as viewing the moon ... enjoying colorful maples", and for admiring horses. The Shigure-tei teahouse – constructed in 1725 – miraculously survived the fire of 1759, and it offers evidence that not only was the tea ceremony present before the fire, but more importantly so was the culture associated with this elaborate ritual as it had a significant effect on garden design. Following the fire, the teahouse continued to be used and was completely restored during the Meiji period. It can still be seen today in the Renchitei section of the garden. Another object that existed in or around the garden before the fire of 1759 was the Kaisekito Pagoda, which is currently situated in Kenrokuen Garden on an island near the center of Hisago-ike Pond. The garden is located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle where it originally formed the outer garden and covers over 25 acres. It began in 1676 when the 5th daimyō Maeda Tsunanori moved his administration to the castle and began to landscape a garden in this vicinity. This garden was, however, destroyed by fire in 1759. The garden restoration was begun in 1774 by the 11th daimyō Harunaga, who created the Emerald Waterfall (Midori-taki) and Yugao-tei, a teahouse. Improvements continued in 1822 when the 12th daimyō Narinaga created the garden's winding streams with water drawn from the Tatsumi Waterway. The 13th daimyō Nariyasu subsequently added more streams and expanded the Kasumi Pond. With this, the garden's current form was complete. The garden was opened to the public on May 7, 1874. The garden was named by Matsudaira Sadanobu at the request of Narinaga. Its name was derived from the "Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens" (洛陽名園記), a book by the Chinese poet Li Gefei (李格非), and stands for the six attributes of a perfect landscape: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, waterways, and panoramas.
From the Kimono Exhibition at the V&A Dundee, Scotland, UK. Typically understated, yet elegant, this kimono is believed to be over 200 years old, and was owned by a Daimyo.
The garden of the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo stands on the property that was once the primary yashiki (estate) of the great Sengoku period feudal lord, Katō Kiyomasa (1562-1611). Kiyomasa was a trusted retainer and general of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warlord who unified Japan in the wake of Oda Nobunaga’s assassination in 1582. Kiyomasa rose to fame during the battle of Shizugatake and soon found himself at the vanguard of many of Hideyoshi’s campaigns, including the invasion of Korea in 1592, in which Kiyomasa’s reputation as a master tactician, fierce fighter, castle builder and as a cruel man grew. To this day, the mere mention of Kiyomasa’s name in Korea is sure to bring a frown. Although loyal to the Toyotomi, if there was one thing that Kiyomasa hated more than Christianity and poor martial spirit among the samurai, it was Ishida Mitsunari, leader of the Western coalition of daimyo that opposed the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was this hatred of Mitsunari that drove Kiyomasa into the Tokugawa camp where he played a pivotal role in the Kyushu theatre of the Sekigahara campaign in 1600. As a result of his service, Kiyomasa was rewarded by becoming one of the elite daimyo who were allowed to build his Edo estate near the shogun’s castle in the upscale area that became known as Kioi-cho, named after the elite Kii Tokugawa, Owari Tokugawa and Ii daimyo families that kept their residences in this area.
As Kiyomasa was loyal to the house of Toyotomi and as a final showdown between the Tokugawa and Toyotomi grew, the Tokugawa began to have their doubts about where Kiyomasa’s ultimate loyalty rested. Fearful of having to face this fierce and influential warlord on the opposing side of the battlefield when the fighting would inevitably erupt in 1615, it has been suggested that the Tokugawa had him poisoned. Shortly after the fall of the Toyotomi, Kiyomasa’s son was accused of disloyalty (most likely a trumped up charge) and the family’s fief in Kumamoto, Kyushu was seized by the shogunate and the clan was abolished. Soon after this, the grounds of the Katō estate in Tokyo were given to the Ii family.
When the New Otani Hotel was constructed, it was decided to keep the traditional Japanese garden intact. Today the garden covers more than 10 acres and has over 800 trees, 10,000 flowering plants, ponds, a waterfall, and 42 stone lanterns, many of which date back from the Edo (1603-1868) and the Kamakura (1192-1333) periods.
Several lovely gardens in Tokyo offer respite from the city. Many, like Rikugien, date from the days of daimyo and samurai.
Monture de sabre à décors de chrysanthèmes et de paulownias.
Musée Guimet (Mnaag), Paris 75, Ile-de-France.
Expo Daimyo - Seigneurs de la guerre au Japon.
Monture de sabre du 19eme siècle, composé de fer, bois, laque et soie.
Les armoiries sont en or.
Chrysanthèmes à 16 branches (kiku).
Paulownias (go san kiri).
Roppongi Hills is built on part of what used to be the mansion of the Mōri family. The Mōri were the rulers of the feudal domain of Chōshū, which is in the western part of the Japanese main island of Honshū.
Ema are wooden prayers cards that you can purchase at a shrine and write your wishes/requests on the back. They are left here for the kami (gods) to see. Next to it is a string of senbazuru (1000 paper cranes).
Kishiki Shrine, established in 1361, was originally built as a place where farmers could pray for better harvests. Now, it is most well-known for being the home of the famous Danjiri Matsuri. It is located near the remaining structures of Kishiwada-jo, and has been affiliated with the castle as the main place of worship for its daimyo. The shrine is also known as Gozutenno-sha and is a branch shrine of Yasaka Jinja in Kyoto, but the name changed to Kishiki during the Meiji era when the castle was expanded.
Originally Hikuma Castle under the rulership of the Imagawa, Hamamatsu-jo was transferred to the Tokugawa after the Battle of Okehazama. At that time, Imagawa power was weakened and their territories were split between the Takeda and Tokugawa in 1568. Ieyasu later moved to Sunpu in 1568 & proprietorship of the castle changed frequently thereafter. Hamamatsu Castle is one of several castle built at that time which did not have a traditional tenshu--only a large yagura in its place. The modern tenshu was built here in 1958.
Hamamatsu Castle. Hamamatsu, Shizuoka.