Hikonyan: A Cute Cat Wearing Red Samurai Helmet

Hikone Castle

(Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture)

【Hikonyan（ひこにゃん）】 is the mascot of Hikone City. The name combines “Hiko”, from Hikone City, and “Nyan”, the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat’s meow. Hikonyan is a white cat wearing a samurai helmet with long horns. The design was inspired by the Ii clan, who ruled the region from 1600 to 1868 during the Edo period. The Ii clan was one of the most prestigious samurai families that played a significant role in the history of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Hikonyan’s helmet is based on the combat helmet of Naomasa Ii, the first lord of Hikone, who was known as the “Red Devil of Ii.” His entire army wore red armor, striking fear into their enemies on the battlefield. Naomasa himself donned a red combat helmet with large golden horns that seemed to pierce the sky, making him an unmistakable presence on the battlefield.

Due to his achievements on the battlefield with his red-armored army and his unwavering loyalty to the Tokugawa Shogunate, he was appointed as the lord of Hikone, a key stronghold along the main route to Kyoto.

The cat character of Hikonyan is inspired by a legendary tale of a cat. According to the story, Naotaka Ii, the second lord of Hikone, was returning home from falconry in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). At the gate of a small temple, a white cat beckoned to him. Intrigued, he followed the cat and decided to rest at the temple. Moments later, a thunderstorm struck, but he was able to stay safe inside the temple. The incident amazed him, and he took it as a sign of fate. He later designated the temple as a place of worship for the Ii clan. From that time on, the white cat became a symbol of the temple as a bringer of good luck. This temple, Gotoku-ji, is located in Setagaya City, Tokyo.

Unlike the typical beckoning cat figurine, which holds a large gold coin, the cat at this temple does not have one because it is believed to bring only good connections, not luck. Whether one benefits from these connections depends on the individual. If a person appreciates them, luck will naturally follow.

With Hikonyan’s popularity, a significant number of tourists visit Hikone. It brings fortune to the city, making Hikonyan a true lucky cat for Hikone.

Hikone Castle, built in 1607, is one of the five castles designated as a National Treasure that still retains its original main keep from the Edo period. The castle, standing on a hill, is renowned for its formidable military defenses while also showcasing regal beauty, reflecting its status as a symbol of the Shogunate’s vassal. From the main keep, you can enjoy a beautiful scenery of the great Lake Biwa. Be sure to visit the Hikone Castle Museum, which displays the combat helmets of successive lords of the Ii clan.

Please visit the official website Hikone Castle.