View allAll Photos Tagged daimyo
Our last outfit in the kimono fashion show, and our last ensemble representing the fall season was our Daimyo (warlord). His outfit was meticulously researched and created by Marie-Josee Cayer, and its decorated with chrysanthemums to represent the autumn. We put our daimyo in some kabuki-esque makeup for some added drama for his character.
This is a true story that's pretty much nearly legendary now. In the early 1700s, Lord Asano is a daimyo who was meant to prepare a reception for the envoys of the emperor. He was meant to be trained in proper court etiquette by a court official known as Kira Kozuke-no-suke.
Kira was, apparently, constantly verbally abusing Lord Asano, who finally snapped and drew his dagger (or short sword, whatever you want to call it) after one such abuse and chased after the old guy and scrapped his head.
The injuries were not serious, but the "offence" was, as all this happened in the Shogun residence on a Shogun official. He was told to commit seppuku and his family lost their fiefdom. Their samurai retinue became "Ronins".
Over the next 2 years, his samurai retinue plotted and planned to kill Kira for dishonouring their lord. When they acted on their revenge, they gave Kira the opportunity to commit seppuku the way he made their lord paid for his "crimes". That slobbering piece of shit who was hiding in the kitchen store room was so shaken he didn't respond, so they beheaded him then.
Sengakuji was where the ronins walk to to hand his head over to present his head to their Lord Asano. The well pictured here was where they wash his head.
"Kakegawa Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle. It was the seat of various fudai daimyō who ruled over Kakegawa Domain, Tōtōmi Province, in what is now central Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Kakegawa Castle remained in ruins through the Shōwa period, with the exception of the Ni-no-Maru Goten, built by Ota Sukekatsu after the earthquake, and registered with the government in 1980 as an Important Cultural Property. Other surviving portions of the castle included a portion of the moats and stone walls, and the drum house. A gate from the main bailey of the castle built in 1659 was given to the Buddhist temple of Yusan-ji in Fukuroi, where it now serves as the main gate of that temple. It is also a National ICP.
In April 1994, sections of the innermost bailey (honmaru), including some walls, a yagura, and the keep (tenshukaku), were reconstructed using the original methods. The tenshukaku's reconstruction was done based on a few diagrams of the original tenshukaku that survived, and marked the first time in post-war Japan that a tenshukaku had been reconstructed in wood using the original construction methods. The cost of 1 billion yen for the reconstruction was raised largely through public donation.
In 2006, the site of Kakegawa Castle was listed as No.42 of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan by the Japan Castle Foundation, primarily due to its historical significance."
Nikkō Tōshō-gū (日光東照宮 Nikkō Tōshō-gū) es un santuario sintoísta que se encuentra en Nikkō (Tochigi, Japón). Forma parte del conjunto de los «Santuarios y templos de Nikkō», Patrimonio de la Humanidad reconocido por la Unesco.
El Tōshō-gū fue construido desde 1634 hasta 1636, en los primeros tiempos del período Edo, para Tokugawa Ieyasu después de su muerte. Su nieto Iemitsu decidió edificar un mausoleo para que descansara el espíritu de su abuelo. Durante dos años, más de quince mil artesanos y carpinteros de todo el país trabajaron en la construcción del mausoleo que contendría las cenizas del shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu. El mausoleo es considerado el clímax del estilo arquitectónico Gongen-zukuri, característico de los santuarios japoneses.
El lugar fue designado un santuario durante la era Meiji, pero aún conserva elementos budistas, como la pagoda, el depósito de sutras y la puerta Niomon. Una avenida bordeada por 13.000 cedros (Sugi-Namiki Kaido) lleva a la entrada del recinto,3 al cual hay que acceder por una torii de granito.4
En el primer patio se encuentra la pagoda Gojunoto, de cinco niveles; donada por un daimyō en 1650, y reconstruida en 1818 tras un incendio que la consumió tres años antes. La columna central de la pagoda no parte de los cimientos, sino que cuelga del cuarto nivel y termina diez centímetros arriba del suelo. Esta estrategia constructiva desplazó el centro de gravedad del edificio, incrementando su resistencia a vientos y temblores. Cada planta representa un elemento, tierra, agua, fuego, viento y aire (o vacío), en orden ascendente. Dentro de la pagoda, cuelga de cadenas un pilar central .
Más adelante, está la puerta Niomon, flanqueada por dos estatuas de figuras Niō. La primera, tiene la boca abierta para pronunciar a, la primera letra del sánscrito; y la segunda figura tiene la boca cerrada, acabando de pronunciar un, la última letra. Tras la puerta Niomon está el segundo patio, con el establo sagrado. En el frente del establo se encuentra el famoso grabado en madera de los tres monos sabios. Por varias horas todos los días, el establo es usado para guardar al caballo que el gobierno de Nueva Zelanda regaló a Nikkō. En esta área también se encuentra una biblioteca de sutras. El patio está rodeado por los almacenes, y la fuente sagrada construida en 1618, utilizada para rituales de purificación.
A partir de allí, se suben dos escalinatas hacia la puerta Yomeimon, que conduce al patio final y a los santuarios dedicados al shōgun. Yomeimon es probablemente la edificación que tiene la decoración más elegante de todo el conjunto; una de sus columnas de madera está puesta del revés, para hacerla imperfecta a propósito. Antes de llegar a la puerta Yomeimon, se pasa entre las torres del tambor y de la campana, las cuales albergan los instrumentos que simbolizan al nacimiento y a la muerte. El acceso a los santuarios del shōgun es a través de la puerta Karamon, la más pequeña del mausoleo. En los santuarios, hay un grabado atribuido al artista Hidari Jingorō.
La tumba de Tokugawa Ieyasu no se encuentra dentro de los santuarios, sino en una torre adyacente, llamada Hōtō.
A Rare and Magnificent Japanese Muromachi Period Samurai 62 Ken "Suji-Kabuto".
Muromachi Period 1500's 62 Ken Samurai Generals "Daimyo's" Kabuto with 4 Stage Tehen Kanamono in Silver.
Sukashi on Both fukigaeshi.
5 Lame Shikoro is from the Edo Period.
Interior liner has been restored as well as Leather Sweat Band probably around the late Edo Period as the Silk is Heavy duty weave Chirimen Silk . Chin strap is later Edo Period also.
Some of the Lacquer is Worn on Both Fukigaeshi that is commensurate with the age and wear of such a Kabuto, also one edge of the visor has worn (not immediately apparent).
Some wear to Lacquer on Shikoro is also evident .
In the Top view of the helmet the filed rivets and tehen kanemono can be seen
Maybe this 62 Ken Kabuto is signed as many of this style were and particularly so with the more elaborate Tehen-kanamono like this Silver one . It might bear a signature under the inner liner that's been restored.
In 1537, Oda Nobuyasu, Nobunaga’s uncle, built Inuyama Castle, which now has the honor of being Japan’s oldest surviving original castle. And what a history this castle has! In 1584 it served as the headquarters for Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Komaki campaign against Tokugawa Ieyasu and eventually was given, along with the surrounding area in fief to the Naruse Masanori in 1617, whose family held it until the clan and fief system was abolished by the Meiji government in 1871. At this time, many of the castle’s walls and turrets were ordered destroyed leaving only a stone wall and the castle’s keep intact. In 1891, the area was struck by a very powerful earthquake which destroyed the remaining turrets and other structures. In a very rare move, in fact it is the only time this has happened that I am aware of, the Meiji government returned the castle to its former lord, the 9th Naruse daimyo, Masamitsu, under the condition that the family restore the castle. And thus the oldest castle in Japan became the only privately owned castle until 2004, when the family turned it over to the Aichi prefectural government. Upkeep and property taxes must have been a terrible drain on the Naruse family.
In 1935 Inuyama Castle was designated as a National Treasure and it really is something special. It’s one of my favorite castles. I’m particularly fond of the attached turret called a tsuke yagura .
For more information about this and other Japanese castles, check out the website Japanese Castle Explorer, run by my Flickr friend Daniel O'Grady at www.japanese-castle-explorer.com
Matsumoto Castle (松本城, Matsumoto-jō?) is one of Japan's finest historic castles. It is located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture and is within easy reach of Tokyo by road or rail.
The keep (tenshukaku), which was completed in the late 16th century, maintains its original wooden interiors and external stonework. It is listed as a National Treasure of Japan.
Matsumoto Castle is a flatland castle (hirajiro) because it is not built on a hilltop or amid rivers, but on a plain. Its complete defences would have included an extensive system of inter-connecting walls, moats and gatehouses.
In 1872, following the Meiji Restoration, the site, like many former daimyos' castles, was sold at auction for redevelopment. However, when news broke that the keep was going to be demolished, an influential figure from Matsumoto, Ichikawa Ryōzō, along with residents from Matsumoto started a campaign to save the building. Their efforts were rewarded when the tower was acquired by the city government.[1]
In the late Meiji period the keep started to lean to one side. An old picture (shown below) clearly shows how the keep looked like then. It was because of neglect coupled with a structural defect, but a lot of people believed the story of Tada Kasuke's curse[2].
A local high school principal, Kobayashi Unari, decided to renovate the castle and appealed for funds. [3] The castle underwent "the great Meiji renovation" between 1903-1913[4]. It underwent another renovation "the great Shōwa renovation" in the period 1950-1955[5].
In 1990, the Kuromon-Ninomon (second gate of the Black Gate) and sodebei (side wall) were reconstructed. The square drum gate was reconstructed in 1999.
There is a plan for restoring the soto-bori(outer moat) which was reclaimed for a residential zone[6].
[edit] History
The castle's origins go back to the Sengoku period. At that time Shimadachi Sadanaga of the Ogasawara clan built a fort on this site in 1504 which was originally called Fukashi Castle. In 1550 it came under the rule of the Takeda clan and then Tokugawa Ieyasu.
When Toyotomi Hideyoshi transferred Ieyasu to the Kantō region, he placed Ishikawa Norimasa in charge of Matsumoto. Norimasa and his son Yasunaga built the tower and other parts of the castle, including the three towers: the keep and the small tower in the northwest, both begun in 1590, and the Watari Tower; the residence; the drum gate; the black gate, the Tsukimi Yagura, the moat, the innermost bailey, the second bailey, the third bailey, and the sub-floors in the castle, much as they are today. They were also instrumental in laying out the castle town and its infrastructure. It is believed much of the castle was completed by 1593–94.
During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate established the Matsumoto Domain, of which the Matsudaira, Mizuno and others were the daimyo.
For the next 280 years until the abolition of the feudal system in the Meiji Restoration, the castle was ruled by the 23 lords of Matsumoto representing six different daimyo families. In this period the stronghold was also known as Crow Castle (烏城, Karasu-jo?) because its black walls and roofs looked like spreading wings.
In 1952 the keep, Inui-ko-tenshu (small northern tower), Watari-yagura (roofed passage), Tatsumi-tsuke-yagura (southern wing), and Tsukimi-yagura (moon-viewing room) were designated as national treasures.
The second floor of the main keep features a gun museum, Teppo Gura, with a collection of guns, armor and other weapons.
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.
Daimyo-Ren, 大名連, Group Daimyo. Daimyo means a land lord which governs former Han, 藩, as big as contemporary prefecture.
Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan, Aug 2000
Olympus C2000Z
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Awa-odori, 阿波踊り, Awa-dance, most fabulous summer dance festival in japan.
Awa is the old name of contemporary Tokusima, 徳島, South eastern part of Shikoku Island. It has at lease 400 years' history.
For 4 days in mid summer holiday season, Obon, お盆, Tokushima city are crowded with people, and about 1000 groups are dancing around in the city.
This groupe is Tassui-ren, 達粋連, one of leading groupe consists of about 100 dancers, coming from a souther city in Tokushima prefecture.
There's various kinds of dancing. The most interesting is the man's dancing which needs big skill and ability. Another is women's mass dancing, chanting cool words in charming voice.
The most famous words is "Odoru Aho ni MIru Aho, onaji Aho nara odranya Son Son", which means "Dancing is stupid, watching is stupid too. If to be stupid, it's losing not to dance!"
There are many videos uploaded to youtube but mostly not so good, these are better ones.
A path of thick-stemmed bamboo, Moso-chiku (Phyllostachys edulis).
吐玉泉への道。創建当時にはなかったが孟宗竹（もうそうちく）が茂る
[ English ]
www.koen.pref.ibaraki.jp/foreign_language/en/index.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kairaku-en
[ Japanese ]
www.koen.pref.ibaraki.jp/park/kairakuen01.html
ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%81%95%E6%A5%BD%E5%9C%92
www.facebook.com/kairakuenpark
偕楽園・茨城県水戸市見川
撮影：河野利彦（2012/11）
This is a Men's formal haori I acquired as part of a groom's ensembl for the 2010 Anime North Kimono Fashion Show.
This haori features a design of a swordsmith and warlord on the inner lining.
You can view the entire groom's outfit here: www.flickr.com/photos/13061699@N06/4623628972/
Rikugien Garden in Tokyo, in the grounds of the residence of a former Daimyo. In the Autumn they light up the trees and allow the public in until late. An absolutely beautiful experience.
Daimyo Princes du Soleil Levant by Francoise Faconnet
First issue: 1991/92
Jacquard 2000-2001 : Issued 90cm cashmere/silk
This is a statue of the fierce Sengoku daimyo, Katō Kiyomasa, who although was a loyal retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, played a key role in supporting Tokugawa Ieyasu's consolidation after Hideyoshi's death in 1598.
The quintessential Sengoku bad-ass, Kiyomasa was not only a terror on the battlefield, as proven time and time again in Japan as well as during the Japanese invasion of Korea where he tangled with Korean and Ming Chinese forces (not to mention tigers), he was also a master castle builder. Kiyomasa played a key role in building the stone defensive works of Nagoya Castle and supposedly rode many of the giant stones as they were dragged into place, urging the workers on. This statue of him "riding" a stone can be found on the grounds of Nagoya Castle.
This island in the middle of the pond is often called “Turtle Island” for its round shape; the rock on the south side is its head, and a small pagoda on the north, its tail / 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.
Ritsurin Koen (garden) is one of the most beautiful in the country. It was built around 1650 for the daimyo walking. At the Sakura (cherry tree) period, you can cross many wedding people doing their official wedding picture in the garden.
The family temple of the Matsui Clan, the daimyo of Yatsushiro under the Hosokawa during the Edo Period.
When it came to having castles built, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu ordered their subservient daimyo to bear the burden of providing their wealth, men, material to help build sections of some of Japan’s most magnificent castles. To complete their tasks, the daimyo mobilized craftsmen and labor to transport vast amounts of timber and stones across Japan. Often, daimyo would have their stone masons chisel family crests or other seals into the stones as a way of boasting who supplied these stones and rocks. The original Nagoya castle may have burnt to the ground during WWII, but the original stones survived—and so did the emblems that the stone masons chiseled into them.
Early into the Edo period, as it became clear that a second showdown with the Toyotomi clan would likely happen, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered that Nagoya Castle be built on the site of the old Oda Castle where Nobunaga was born. As the area stood at an important strategic point along the Tōkaidō Road, Ieyasu wanted to make sure that he had a strong fortress to control the approach midway between Osaka and Edo. Work on the castle started in 1609 and it was completed in 1612. Nagoya Castle became the seat of the Owari Tokugawa clan, who relocated here from nearby Kiyosu Castle, which was dismantled and parts of it were used in the building of Nagoya Castle. The castle with its Honmaru Palace, was along with Himeji Castle, considered one of the most beautiful ones in the entire country. Nagoya Castle was destroyed in a bombing raid by US forces in May 1945 during World War II. The castle was rebuilt, this time using Ferro-concrete and steel in 1959. The Honmaru Palace is also being rebuilt, using traditional materials and techniques when applicable. The first segment will open in 2010, and the construction will finally wrap up in 2017.
The Bell of Time (時の鐘—Toki no Kane), was originally built sometime between 1624 and 1644 on the orders of the ruling daimyo, Sakai Tadakatsu. It is a three-story structure that reaches a height of 16 meters. For more than 350 years, this clock has been used to signal the time of day to the busy merchants and shoppers in the town’s Kurazukuri district and is still rung four times per day (6 am, 12 pm, 3 pm and 6 pm). The current tower’s structure goes back to 1894, when it was re-built the year following Kawagoe’s devastating fire that consumed a large swath of the town.
Located a mere 30 to 45 minutes north of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, Kawagoe is an old castle town that time seems to have forgotten for those looking for a glimpse at what a town may have looked like in eastern Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1868). Because Kawagoe retains many of its buildings and structures dating from this long-gone period, it is often referred to as Ko-Edo (小江戸)—Little Edo, after the city that was renamed Tokyo in 1868.
Kawagoe’s development as a castle town started in 1457 when the famed warrior, poet and castle builder, Ōta Dōkan began to build fortifications there at the order of Uesugi Mochitomo (of the Ōgigayatsu branch of the Uesgui family). After the defeat of the Hōjō clan at the siege of Odawara in 1590, Tokugawa Ieyasu was given control of the Kantō area and he set about making Kawagoe a military hub for the protection of his capital of Edo and the town also developed into a transportation hub for the flow of goods into Edo from the northern domains. During the Edo period, the Sakai family, loyal vassals of Ieyasu, ruled as daimyo (feudal lord) of Kawagoe.
Although Kawagoe boasts a fine collection of old buildings, the castle didn’t survive into the modern period, and some of the original Edo Period warehouses and other structures burnt down in a massive fire in 1893. Luckily, the buildings were re-constructed using the architectural designs and techniques of the Edo Period. The style of warehouse architecture that is prevalent in Kawagoe is called “kurazukuri”.
Hoshodai situated on a small mound in the Genkyū-en Garden at the base of Hikone Castle, Shiga Prefecture-Japan.
Akashi-koen is a public park located in the outer bailey area of the old Akashi Castle. As well as numerous public facilities, it also includes a lovely garden which is believed to have been designed by the famous swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi.
Akashi Castle is located along the coast in Hyogo prefecture, a short distance from Kobe. Originally built by Ogasawara Tadazane (1596-1667) in 1619 at the command of the second Tokugawa shogun, Hidetada. It was an important castle because of its location and proximity to Osaka as it was seen as a first line of defense against the forces of the western daimyo. All that remains today are two yagura and a connecting wall which are important cultural property.
Tokyo Jidai-matsuri (Tokyo Historical Parade) [November 3, Culture Day]
Tokyo Jidai-matsuri is an historical parade that recreates Tokyo's history and culture. It was first held on November 3, 1999 as part of the event called Tokyo Renaissance, in an attempt to publicize Asakusa's unique presence as the historical and cultural center of the international city of Tokyo as it moves into the 21st century.
Tokyo Jidai-matsuri Parade Program
Theme: "Dawning of Tokyo as the Capital of Peace"
Procession led by floats featuring children performers of Edo festival music --> Tokyo Jidai-matsuri banner Tegomai dance company --> Magistrate --> "Emergence of the Asakusa Kannon, the Dawning of Tokyo" --> Kinryu-no-mai dance "Joy of Asakusa" --> "Ariwara Narihira Going East" --> "Minamoto Yoritomo Camping at Sumida River" --> "Hojo Masako"
Worshipping at Sensoji Temple
Theme: Chic: Outshining the 300-year-old Aoi-matsuri Festival
Sanja Daigongen Festive Procession of floats --> Second banner --> Magistrate --> "Dokan Ota, founder of Edo" --> "Ieyasu Tokugawa's Arrival in Edo" --> "Construction of Edo Castle and Hauling Stones" --> Court Ladies --> "Iemitsu Tokugawa Donated Reconstruction of Sanja-gongen Shrine" --> Procession of Daimyo transferring to Edo
Theme: The Blooming Edo Culture as a Stage of Dreams
Cherry Blossoming Dance from the Genroku Period --> "Raid by Loyal Retainers" --> "Ooka Echizen no Kami and Edo Firemen" --> Yoshiwara Courtesans --> Shichi-fukujin-no-mai by Asakusa Ichimura-za --> aruwaka-sanza Edo Kabuki --> Popular Figures in Edo --> Edo Geisha --> Second Banner --> Magistrate -->
Fifteenth Shogun Yoshinobu Tokugawa
Theme: Splendor: Dynamic Trends From Edo to Tokyo
From Edo to Tokyo --> "Cultural Flowering at Rokumeikan" --> "Scenes from Asakusa Okuyama" --> Nostalgic Asakusa Revue
The parade leaves the square behind Sensoji Temple at 1:30 p.m. and proceeds along Umamichi-dori from Nitenmon Gate, in front of Asakusa Matsuya Department Store, along Kaminarimon-dori, to Kaminarimon Gate and ends in Asakusa Tawaramachi at 3:30 p.m.
Komainu (狛犬), often called lion-dogs in English, are statue pairs of lion-like creatures either guarding the entrance or the honden, or inner shrine of many Japanese Shinto shrines or kept inside the inner shrine itself, where they are not visible to the public. The first type, born during the Edo period, is called sandō komainu (参道狛犬 visiting road Komainu), the second and much older type jinnai komainu (陣内狛犬 shrine inside komainu). They can sometimes be found also at Buddhist temples, nobility residences or even private homes. During the early Heian period (ninth century), the tradition was two statues and started to be different and be called differently. One had its mouth open and was called shishi (獅子 lion) because, as before, it resembled that animal. The other had its mouth closed, looked rather like a dog, was called komainu, or Goguryeo dog, and sometimes had a single horn on its head. Gradually the animals returned to be identical, but for their mouths, and ended up both being called komainu / Nikkō and Nikkō Tōshō-gū (日光市 Nikkō-shi) is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Nikko has been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for centuries. The focus of this trip was to see Nikkō Tōshō-gū (日光東照宮), a Shinto shrine. Together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinnō-ji, it forms the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 42 structures included in the nomination. Tōshō-gū is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. It was initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada was shōgun. It was enlarged during the time of the third shōgun, Iemitsu. Ieyasu is enshrined there, where his remains are also entombed. This shrine was built by Tokugawa retainer Tōdō Takatora. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate carried out stately processions from Edo to the Nikkō Tōshō-gū along the Nikkō Kaidō. The shrine's annual spring and autumn festivals reenact these occasions and are known as "processions of a thousand warriors". Famous buildings at the Tōshō-gū include the richly decorated Yōmeimon, a gate that is also known as "higurashi-no-mon". The latter name means that one could look at it until sundown, and not tire of seeing it. Carvings in deep relief, painted in rich colors, decorate the surface of the structure. The next gate is the karamon decorated with white ornaments. Located nearby is a woodcarving of a sleepy cat, Nemuri-neko, attributed to Hidari Jingorō. The stable of the shrine's sacred horses bears a carving of the three wise monkeys, who hear, speak and see no evil, a traditional symbol in Chinese and Japanese culture. The original five-story pagoda was donated by a daimyō in 1650, but it was burned down during a fire, and was rebuilt in 1818. Each story represents an element–earth, water, fire, wind and aether (or void)–in ascending order. Inside the pagoda, a central shinbashira pillar hangs from chains to minimize damage from earthquakes.
Toyama is an area known for its traditional medicines. This is a statue of Masatoshi Maeda, a feudal lord who was said to have been cured of stomach ailments after taking hangontan pills. Those who witnessed the event spread the word about the power of Toyama remedies.
Toyama Castle was originally built in 1543. Following the death of Oda Nubunaga at Honno-ji in Kyoto, Hideyoshi attacked the castle which was under the rule of an Oda retainer, Sassa Narimasa. It was later rebuilt by the Maeda clan and again destroyed 1870. The modern castle and park was rebuilt in 1954.
Toyama Castle. Toyama City, Toyama.
Osaka Skyline from the Castle's Observation Deck / Osaka Castle is a reconstructed Azuchi-Momoyama Period castle originally built is 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) a preeminent daimyō, warrior, general, samurai, and politician of the Sengoku period . The castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. The main tower of Osaka Castle is situated on a plot of land roughly one square kilometer. It is built on two raised platforms of landfill supported by sheer walls of cut rock, using a technique called Burdock piling, each overlooking a moat. The central castle building is five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, and built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupants from attackers. The castle grounds, which cover approximately 15 acres, contain thirteen structures that have been designated as important cultural assets by the Japanese government, including, inter alia, the Ote-mon Gate, Sakura-mon Gate and three sections of castle wall all located around Otemon Gate. In 1660, lightning ignited the gunpowder warehouse and the resulting explosion set the castle on fire. In 1868, Osaka Castle fell and was surrendered to anti-bakufu imperial loyalists. Much of the castle was burned in the civil conflicts surrounding the Meiji Restoration. Under the Meiji government, Osaka Castle became part of the Osaka Army Arsenal (Osaka Hohei Kosho) manufacturing guns, ammunition, and explosives for Japan's rapidly expanding Western-style military. In 1995, Osaka's government approved a restoration project, with the intent of restoring the main tower to its Edo-era splendor. In 1997, restoration was completed. The castle is a concrete reproduction (including elevators) of the original and the interior is intended as a modern, functioning museum. See also, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle
As a review for those who may have stumbled upon this image without having seen the other photos and descriptions, here is a brief description of Honjin (本陣), Waki Honjin (脇本陣) and Hatago (旅籠) in English that I wrote when I first started my walking/cycling trip.
Honjin (本陣) were designated Inns at which Daimyo would stay while traveling to or from Yedo (Edo/Tokyo). These Inns were typically the homes of Town Heads, Merchants or other Wealthy individuals who had both the space as well as the alternate income to support the Daimyo and his attendants' stay. As a designated Inn, only Daimyo were permitted to stay. Regular travelers, regardless of their status or money available to them, could not lodge at a Honjin. This meant that the owner of the Honjin could typically only really make money between March and May, as Daimyo were required to change residence to or from Yedo (Edo/Tokyo) in April. Even then, Daimyo would many times use "loans" and "favors" to stay instead of cold, hard cash. Without the second income, the Honjin would have found themselves in Bankruptcy quite quickly.
Below Honjin were Waki Honjin (脇本陣),, or back up quarters. These were used when two Daimyo arrived to the same Post Town (Shukuba) on the same night. The higher ranked Daimyo would of course stay at the Honjin, while the lower ranking would stay at the Waki Honjin. These back up quarters were also used for a High Ranking Daimyo's Chief Retainers when his entourage could not all remain at the Honjin, or by regular travelers of high enough status or large enough wallets.
Below Waki Honjin were Hatago (旅籠), or Travel Stops. They originated as places to obtain food stuffs, etc. for travelers and their horses, but became a sort of low tier place to stay (much like a "Business Hotel" of today) at each of the Post Towns. Daimyo and Chief Retainers would never be found staying at a location such as this, but Lower Ranked Retainers and Common Travelers often used the inexpensive locations to rest and keep the elements, like rain, (hopefully?) from falling on their heads as they slept.
At its peak, the Old Tokaido is said to have had 111 Honjin, 68 Waki Honjin and 2,905 Hatago. Most Honjin have been long since converted to schools, hospitals, town offices, (increasingly) parking lots, etc. because of the space they afforded and the cost it would require to maintain such luxurious surroundings in today's Japan. A few have survived as Museums, however. Many Hatago, on the other hand, are still functioning as small Inns or Ryokan that can even be considered quite expensive to stay (for the sake of nostalgia?).
In 1537, Oda Nobuyasu, Nobunaga’s uncle, built Inuyama Castle, which now has the honor of being Japan’s oldest surviving original castle. And what a history this castle has! In 1584 it served as the headquarters for Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Komaki campaign against Tokugawa Ieyasu and eventually was given, along with the surrounding area in fief to the Naruse Masanori in 1617, whose family held it until the clan and fief system was abolished by the Meiji government in 1871. At this time, many of the castle’s walls and turrets were ordered destroyed leaving only a stone wall and the castle’s keep intact. In 1891, the area was struck by a very powerful earthquake which destroyed the remaining turrets and other structures. In a very rare move, in fact it is the only time this has happened that I am aware of, the Meiji government returned the castle to its former lord, the 9th Naruse daimyo, Masamitsu, under the condition that the family restore the castle. And thus the oldest castle in Japan became the only privately owned castle until 2004, when the family turned it over to the Aichi prefectural government. Upkeep and property taxes must have been a terrible drain on the Naruse family.
In 1935 Inuyama Castle was designated as a National Treasure and it really is something special. It’s one of my favorite castles. I’m particularly fond of the attached turret called a tsuke yagura .
For more information about this and other Japanese castles, check out the website Japanese Castle Explorer, run by my Flickr friend Daniel O'Grady at www.japanese-castle-explorer.com
When it came to having castles built, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu ordered their subservient daimyo to bear the burden of providing their wealth, men, material to help build sections of some of Japan’s most magnificent castles. To complete their tasks, the daimyo mobilized craftsmen and labor to transport vast amounts of timber and stones across Japan. Often, daimyo would have their stone masons chisel family crests or other seals into the stones as a way of boasting who supplied these stones and rocks. The original Nagoya castle may have burnt to the ground during WWII, but the original stones survived—and so did the emblems that the stone masons chiseled into them.
Early into the Edo period, as it became clear that a second showdown with the Toyotomi clan would likely happen, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered that Nagoya Castle be built on the site of the old Oda Castle where Nobunaga was born. As the area stood at an important strategic point along the Tōkaidō Road, Ieyasu wanted to make sure that he had a strong fortress to control the approach midway between Osaka and Edo. Work on the castle started in 1609 and it was completed in 1612. Nagoya Castle became the seat of the Owari Tokugawa clan, who relocated here from nearby Kiyosu Castle, which was dismantled and parts of it were used in the building of Nagoya Castle. The castle with its Honmaru Palace, was along with Himeji Castle, considered one of the most beautiful ones in the entire country. Nagoya Castle was destroyed in a bombing raid by US forces in May 1945 during World War II. The castle was rebuilt, this time using Ferro-concrete and steel in 1959. The Honmaru Palace is also being rebuilt, using traditional materials and techniques when applicable. The first segment will open in 2010, and the construction will finally wrap up in 2017.
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.
Our last outfit in the kimono fashion show, and our last ensemble representing the fall season was our Daimyo (warlord). His outfit was meticulously researched and created by Marie-Josee Cayer, and its decorated with chrysanthemums to represent the autumn. We put our daimyo in some kabuki-esque makeup for some added drama for his character.
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.
As a review for those who may have stumbled upon this image without having seen the other photos and descriptions, here is a brief description of Honjin (本陣), Waki Honjin (脇本陣) and Hatago (旅籠) in English that I wrote when I first started my walking/cycling trip.
Honjin (本陣) were designated Inns at which Daimyo would stay while traveling to or from Yedo (Edo/Tokyo). These Inns were typically the homes of Town Heads, Merchants or other Wealthy individuals who had both the space as well as the alternate income to support the Daimyo and his attendants' stay. As a designated Inn, only Daimyo were permitted to stay. Regular travelers, regardless of their status or money available to them, could not lodge at a Honjin. This meant that the owner of the Honjin could typically only really make money between March and May, as Daimyo were required to change residence to or from Yedo (Edo/Tokyo) in April. Even then, Daimyo would many times use "loans" and "favors" to stay instead of cold, hard cash. Without the second income, the Honjin would have found themselves in Bankruptcy quite quickly.
Below Honjin were Waki Honjin (脇本陣),, or back up quarters. These were used when two Daimyo arrived to the same Post Town (Shukuba) on the same night. The higher ranked Daimyo would of course stay at the Honjin, while the lower ranking would stay at the Waki Honjin. These back up quarters were also used for a High Ranking Daimyo's Chief Retainers when his entourage could not all remain at the Honjin, or by regular travelers of high enough status or large enough wallets.
Below Waki Honjin were Hatago (旅籠), or Travel Stops. They originated as places to obtain food stuffs, etc. for travelers and their horses, but became a sort of low tier place to stay (much like a "Business Hotel" of today) at each of the Post Towns. Daimyo and Chief Retainers would never be found staying at a location such as this, but Lower Ranked Retainers and Common Travelers often used the inexpensive locations to rest and keep the elements, like rain, (hopefully?) from falling on their heads as they slept.
At its peak, the Old Tokaido is said to have had 111 Honjin, 68 Waki Honjin and 2,905 Hatago. Most Honjin have been long since converted to schools, hospitals, town offices, (increasingly) parking lots, etc. because of the space they afforded and the cost it would require to maintain such luxurious surroundings in today's Japan. A few have survived as Museums, however. Many Hatago, on the other hand, are still functioning as small Inns or Ryokan that can even be considered quite expensive to stay (for the sake of nostalgia?).
The Odawara Daimyo Parade featured this cute band of little girls armed with naginata (halberds). In earlier days, women were often armed with this weapon to protect their homes, and because of its long reach, could deftly unarm, kill, or hold fully armed samurai at bay.
A startling and unexpected view of Tokyo.
Hamarikyu Gardens is a public park alongside Tokyo Bay next to the futuristic Shiodome district. The park is at the mouth of the Sumida River and is a landscaped stroll garden surrounding Shioiri Pond, whose level changes with the tides. The park is surrounded by a moat filled by Tokyo Bay and was once the site of a villa of a feudal lord. It later became the Imperial guesthouse. In 1946 it became a public park. Traditional falcon and goshawk hunting techniques are demonstrated daily. I can't believe I missed that!
This is a reconstructed gate to the 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.