Keyaki Palace

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Background

Keyaki-goten (Zelkova Palace), also called Hikonejō-shimoyashiki, is a daimyō residence - the remnants of a palatial complex, in fact - at Hikone Castle. Rakurakuen is the name of the garden surrounding the shoin (drawing room) and adjoining buildings, including the Rakuraku-no-ma. The neighbouring garden (there's not much to separate them) is Genkyūen, but the gardens are often paired together, and are listed a special scenic area under the name Genkyūrakurakuen.

The Keyaki Palace and Genkyuen Gardens were built by Ii Naooki as the Ii family residence from 1677-1679. After the death of Naooki, the palace was downsized by order of the Tokugawa, but was significantly renovated and expanded by Ii Naonaka upon his retirement in 1812. The beautiful goshoin (palatial drawing room) dates to this time. Remaining structures represent about a tenth of this zenith.

The surrounding gardens, the Genkyū(rakuraku)en, are a valuable example of a daimyō garden. Rakurakuen is a play on words in Japanese from 山を楽しみ、水を楽しみ (enjoy the mountains, enjoy the waters). The Kanji for enjoy (楽しみ tanoshimi) can also be read as 'raku'. Much of this area was built on reclaimed land. The waters of Lake Biwa came much closer to the palace so you could enjoy the mountains in the distance and the waters up close.

Keyaki-goten complex contains the genkan (entrance parlour) hall, connected to the goshoin by the suzu-no-ma ('bell room'). In turn, the goshoin is connected directly to the yakusho-no-ma and the kyoma (living room). And then, via a 'T'-shaped corridor, these are connected to the shinzashiki (another living room) and the suzume-no-ma ('sparrow room'). In turn, the suzume-no-ma is contiguous with the jishin-no-ma ('earthquake room'), which in turn is directly connected to the okaru-no-ma and the kōcha-no-ma ('black tea room'). The latter is adjoined to the rai-no-ma ('lightning room').

From there, our dreamy little archipelago of buildings becomes more spread out, and a series of covered walkways connects us to, in turn, the rakuraku-no-ma ('relaxation room'), shin-higashi-no-ma ('new east room'), shin-nishi-no-ma ('new west room') (those two conjoined), nio-no-ma ('little grebe room'), and finally the matsu-no-ma ('pine room'). The surrounding garden is the rakurakuen, and the idyllic little buildings appear to float above it on small hills, rocky outcroppings, and even a latticework of hanging beams.

There is another complex of buildings in the Genkyūen, also originally part of the Keyaki-goten, I believe. Some of these are currently open to the public as teahouses. The view of these thatched-roof buildings with the ramparts and donjon of the castle rising above is stunning.

From the Meiji Period until 1994 the Keyaki Palace was operated as a ryokan (Japanese Inn) before it was given back to the city due to its age and deterioration. There is an extensive 20 year plan to restore these buildings for re-opening in 2025, but due to COVID induced delays, the completion date is not yet finalized. In the meanwhile, the Goshoin and connected buildings you see in the pictures below are open once a year in either summer or autumn for about 10 days.


Gallery


    • Keyaki Palace Profile
    English Name Keyaki Palace
    Japanese Name 槻御殿・黒門外御屋敷・彦根城下屋敷
    Year 1813
    Residence Type Daimyo
    Features Garden, House
    Visitor Information 8:30-17:00; ¥800 with castle ticket
    Website http://hikone-410th.com/castle/rakurakuen
    Location Hikone, Shiga Prefecture
    Castle Hikone Castle
    Coordinates 35° 16' 43.72" N, 136° 15' 10.15" E
    Hikone Castle and nearby Samurai Homes
    Loading map...
    Admin
    Visits July 7, 2024
    Added Jcastle 2024
    Contributor ART


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