Suhama-style Pond (州浜)
This small ornamental pond forms part of the landscape design of Rakuraku-en (楽々園). Surrounded by white gravel and planted with aquatic vegetation, it resembles a suhama (州浜), a stylised shoreline motif commonly used in Japanese gardens to evoke beaches, inlets, and waterside scenery in miniature.
Its outline also bears a resemblance to Lake Biwa (琵琶湖), which lies immediately below Hikone Castle. Although its original design intent is uncertain, the pond may have been conceived as a miniature representation of the lake, reflecting a common practice in daimyo gardens of incorporating local landscapes into garden design. Whether viewed as a stylised shoreline or an abstract image of Lake Biwa, the feature contributes to the refined and contemplative atmosphere of the former Ii family villa.
