Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle (姫路城) is a Japanese hilltop castle in Himeji, formerly the capital of Harima Province during the Sengoku period.^[1] The castle served as the home and seat of power for the daimyō Kuroda Yoshitaka.^[2]

History[edit | edit source]

In June 1582, the Kakushiba ikki Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke arrived at the castle after hearing about rumors about an impeding attack. When they arrived, they met with Kuroda Kanbei and discussed about the shadow operating in Himeji. They discussed the incoming rengakai and how daimyō Ukita Naoie planned to come to ensure the alliance for Harima's safety and how his son Ukita Hideie is an act of goodwill between both clans. Later that night, they joined the rengakai and met with Naoie and other lords. However, the meeting was interrupted by an attack from rōnin, which led to Hideie being kidnapped. While the attacker were dealt with, Naoie demanded an alert for his son and a pause of peace until his son's safety was assured. After Naoie left, Naoe and Yasuke promised to investigate and find the true culprit.^[3]

From their investigation,^[4]^[5] Naoe and Yasuke discovered that Naoie orchestrated the attack and planned another attack on the castle to stop and kill Kanbei and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.^[6] Arriving at Kanbei's quarters at the castle, they met with the lord and discussed their plans to thwart Naoie's attack but the pair asserted that Hideie must not made into a pawn. Later that night, Naoe and Yasuke secretly took down Naoie's forces and shinobi surrounding the meeting between Naoie and Kanbei.^[7]

While they neared the meeting, Kanbei revealed that he knew the truth of Naoie's intent and told him that his plans were unraveled. Readying his katana, Naoie planned to kill Kanbei himself but Kanbei reassured that his betrayal would lead to Hideie paying the price unless Naoie promised his life for his son. They were then interrupted by Naoe and Yasuke but Naoie's own samurai came to his defense while he left for the castle's tenshu. Together, Naoe and Yasuke fought and defeated Naoie's men and made their way to the tenshu. There, Naoie asked them to let him finish his son's stanza. After he read it, Naoie fought against them with his remaining shinobi but was ultimately defeated.^[7]

In his last breath, Naoie was questioned about the box, which he stated that was with the Tatsu, and told them that he wanted to save his son but realized that he never lost him. After he finished, Naoe released her hidden blade and delivered the fatal strike. They later confronted Kanbei over his apparent threat of Hideie's life but he explained that he never intended to harm the young Ukita but needed Naoie to concede. When Hideie came, they explained that his father sacrificed himself for the good of the clan. An emotional Hideie thanked them and promised to honor his father before leaving. Kanbei promised to take of him while Naoe and Yasuke bid him farewell.^[7]

At some point, Naoe and Yasuke returned to the castle, eliminated five samurai daisho, looted the Defense Master Clothing from the castle's treasure chest, and climbed atop the tenshu to survey Himeji.^[2] They also found and recovered a painting that belonged to Kanō Eitoku's collection in one of the castle's houses.^[8]

Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]

In the memory "The Betrayers," the player is given a choice how to assassinate Itakura Shigezo, where they can either assassinate him at the southwestern part of the castle during the day or at the brewery south of the castle at night.^[9]