Ashigaru, under the command of a samurai, give a Tanegashima (matchlock) firing demonstration at Hikone-jo (Hikone Castle), a Japanese National Treasure. Last year we saw a similar, but larger, demonstration at Matsumoto-jo (Matsumoto Castle), another National Treasure. Both Hikone and Matsumoto are among the dozen remaining original Japanese castles.

It may not be the sound of freedom, but these matchlocks are the sound of unification. Firearms such as these were one of the deciding factors in the unification of Japan. The samurai’s red-lacquered armor and tall horned helmet were the trademark armor of the Ii family which ruled Hikone from the beginning of the Edo Period until the Meiji Restoration.

We didn’t know this demonstration was happening when we decided to visit today. It was being done in conjunction with the last day of display for the Ii family swords and armor in the Hikone Castle Museum.

This is one of the reasons we haven’t posted much lately. We’re in the midst of a road trip down Honshu, the main Japanese home island, to Kyushu and we’ll be writing on our experiences when we get the chance. So far we’ve done a tall ship in Yokohama, way too much spending in Akihabara, hiking the Nakasendo Trail, visiting castles and temples as well as the Japan Air Self Defense Force Museum in Hamamatsu.