Ii Naomasa
Hikone Castle traces its origin to 1603 when Ii Naokatsu, son of the former "daimyō" Ii Naomasa, ordered its construction. The keep was originally built in 1575, as part of Ōtsu Castle, and was moved to Hikone by the Ii clan. Other parts of the castle were moved from Nagahama Castle. Hikone Castle was completed in 1622. Naokatsu's lands had been taken from him in the interval by the Tokugawa shogunate, and when his brother Naotaka assumed control of the area around Ōmi Province, he was able to complete the castle by collecting stones from the former Sawayama Castle.