Utagawa Hiroshige – One Hundred Famous Views of Edo – 43 – Summer – Nihonbashi Edobashi 歌川広重-名所江戸百景-43-夏-日本橋江戸ばし 解説
Current Address: Nihonbashi, Muromachi 1-chome, Chuo-ku
Latitude and Longitude: Latitude 35.6825, Longitude 139.7745
Published: December 1857 Age: 61
Explanation
<1> Introduction
Utagawa Hiroshige’s masterpiece, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,” is a series of 119 prints. “Nihonbashi Edobashi” was chosen as the commemorative first print.
By placing this view at the beginning of the series, Hiroshige emphasized its symbolism: “Everything about Edo begins here.”
The people crossing the bridge, the feudal lord’s procession, the barge boats passing on the river, and Mount Fuji towering in the distance encapsulate the prosperity and vitality of Edo.
<2> About Nihonbashi
Nihonbashi was built in 1603 by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
It spans the Nihonbashi River, which flows through Edo Castle, and was constructed as the starting point of the Five Highways (Tokaido, Nakasendo, Oshu, Koshu, and Nikko).
Markets, including a fish market, spread around the bridge, making it the center of Edo’s economic activity.
Goods brought from all over the country were traded here, supporting Edo’s kitchens.
Nihonbashi was more than just a bridge; it also served as a national milestone (a reference point for measuring distance).
For travelers, the phrase “starting from Nihonbashi” signified the beginning of a journey across Japan.
<3> Highlights of the painting
Nihonbashi was located in the center of Edo, and on the north bank between it and Edobashi was the Nihonbashi Fish Market, where transactions worth 1,000 ryo a day took place.
At the south end of the opposite bank, traveling up the Nihonbashi River from the Sumida River, was the fish market and a collection point for goods.
Storehouses lined the riverbank, and large merchant shops lined the surrounding area.
The small Edobashi Bridge in the upper left is 200 meters downstream from Nihonbashi.
It was built between Motofunemachi and Yokkaichi Riverbank between 1596 and 1615.
It is 38 meters long, and the gibozu (shrine ornaments) on the bridge’s railings indicate its prestige.
Besides Edobashi, only four other bridges in the city are equipped with gibozu: Nihonbashi, Kyobashi, and Shimbashi.
The large gibozu and railing of Nihonbashi can be seen on the left.
A particularly large depiction of a boatman purchasing bonito from the Nihonbashi fish market is featured.
Various riverboats are moored at each bank of the Nihonbashi River.
<4> Nihonbashi and the Common People of Edo
At the foot of Nihonbashi is a fish market.
It was bustling with activity even early in the morning.
For Edoites, fresh fish was an essential part of their daily diet, and Nihonbashi was the center of their culinary culture.
Processions of feudal lords and festivals often crossed the bridge, and Nihonbashi was also the stage for Edo’s “showtimes.”
For the common people of Edo, travel was a major event.
Travelers along the Tokaido and merchants along the Nakasendo both crossed Nihonbashi Bridge to begin their journeys.
<5> Walking through Modern Nihonbashi
The current Nihonbashi is a stone double-arch bridge built in 1911.
Designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, it remains a central transportation hub in Tokyo.
In the center of Nihonbashi is the “Origin Marker of Japan’s National Highways,” from which distances across the country are measured.
Although Nihonbashi is now covered by an expressway, the “Nihonbashi Overpass Underground Expressway Project” is currently underway, and in the future, the bridge will once again offer a view of the sky as it did in the Edo period.
<6> Tourist Guide
1. Strolling around Nihonbashi
Look for the origin marker and stone monument as you cross the bridge.
2. Former Nihonbashi Fish Market
Near the bridge is a monument commemorating the site of the former fish market.
We also recommend exploring the birthplace of Edo’s food culture.
➂ Comparison with Ukiyo-e
Standing on the bridge with the “Nihonbashi Edobashi” illustration in hand, you’ll have the magical experience of overlapping the Edo period and the present day.
