castle map
corridor
structural model
corridor
corridor
window view
view below
side view
Though the name sounds ominous, the courtyard sign said this area was not used for ritual suicide but resembles such a place.
sign
Harakiri-maru
Harakiri-maru
O-Kiku's Well
O-Kiku's Well
"About 1500, Tessan Aoyama, the chief retainer of Norimoto Kotera (Lord of Himeji Castle), plotted an intrigue against the lordship. Kiku, who was the maidservant of the Aoyamas as well as the lover of Motonobu Kinugasa, a loyal retainer of Lord Kotera, knew and warned Motonobu of lord's danger.
"Then the plot failed. Aoyama and his follower Danshiro Chonotsubo falsely charged her with losing one of valuable dishes, his family treasure. At last they killed her and threw her body into this well.
"From then her sad voice could be heard from the well every night, counting one piece, two pieces, three pieces. Motonobu and some retainers defeated Tessan and his followers. After she was enshrined as Okiku goddess in Junisho Shrine, no voice could be heard from the well."
People are in the park picnicking and enjoying the cherry blossoms.
The manhole cover says,
"No Littering & Keep Clean."
souvenir shop
city shopping area
saxophone player