Himeji Castle - Viewing the Cherry Blossoms

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This is where the residence of Lord Ikeda who built the Main Tower stood. Bizen is the old name for one part of the present Okayama. Ikeda's 2nd son, Tadasuge was given the province of Bizen. As he was young, he lived with his mother here. So this place was names after his fief.

Near Bizen Gate there used to be more important buildings such as the residence for Lord's wife, a kitchen building, a reception room and so on. Thee was a corricdor building callet Watariyagura which let to teh Main Tower. All these buildings were burned down in 1882 by an accidental fire. Only Bizen Gate and Oremagari Turrwet remain now.

Text taken from plaque near the gate. Click picture to the left showing a portion of the palque to see the original.

Pictures: Koichi Saito, Imani Junior High School, Japan