Umoreginoya, Samurai residence in Hikone, Japan
Umoreginoya is a samurai residence in Hikone with a main gate featuring traditional roof tiles and two diagonal corridors that shape the interior layout. A garden of medicinal herbs, a meditation room with decorative nailhead covers, and a connection to Seiryooji temple define its physical structure.
The residence was built during the Tokugawa period as a home for samurai leadership and became closely tied to Naosuke Ii, the 13th lord of Hikone, who stayed there in 1759. This period marked a turning point between old feudal traditions and the Shogunate's expanding centralized control.
The name comes from medicinal herbs once grown on the grounds, reflecting how samurai households connected their living spaces to practical knowledge. The rooms show how residents moved through daily life with attention to craft and natural materials.
The residence closes during summer months to protect its historic structures and reopens to visitors in October each year. Planning ahead and checking opening times in advance is wise, especially if traveling from a distance.
The tearoom lacks a Nijiriguchi, the traditional small entrance found in almost all classical tea rooms, making it an unusual variation of the standard design. This shows how this residence made its own choices rather than following every convention.
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