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(14) |
The castle town's streets are narrow and it's hard to know exactly where you are. |
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(15)(16) |
The atmosphere of the Edo period still remains in the former fish dealers' district,
uoya-machi
. |
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(17) |
Wells were dug close to the front doors of homes here. |
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(18) |
A group of kids on their way to school in the old part of the city. |
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(19) |
Yume Kyobashi Castle Road gives a reconstructed view of part of an Edo period town, and is a new tourist attraction in Hikone. |
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(20) |
Hikone is known for its traditional manufacture of Buddhist altars. Stores selling them are located along a road that parallels the Seri-gawa River. |
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(21)(22) |
Seven different skills are needed in the manufacture of Buddhist altars, and craftsmen each specialize in one of these skills. Funakoshi Yukio, a
maki-e
artisan, decorates lacquered boards with powdered gold and silver to produce ornate pictures (21). Tsuji Ryuzo, a woodworker, makes the cabinet for the altar (22). |
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(23) |
Funa-zushi is a famous product from Lake Biwa. The fish is pickled in a mixture of salt and cooked rice, then allowed to ferment. It is said that sushi has its roots in this recipe. (Photo taken at a fish market) |
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(24)(25)(26) |
Lake Biwa is Japan's largest lake. Hikone is situated beside it, and its port was once a hub for lake shipping. |
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