Utagawa Hiroshige – One Hundred Famous Views of Edo-54-Summer- Ryogokubashi Okawabata 歌川広重-名所江戸百景-54-夏-両国橋大川ばた 解説
Current Address: Ryogokubashi, 1-chome, Higashi-Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku
Latitude and Longitude: 35.6953, Longitude: 139.7937
Published: August 1856
Age: 60
Explanation
<1> Introduction
“Ryogokubashi Okawabata” is a work that depicts a scene symbolizing the bustling summer life of Edo.
During the Edo period, the area around Ryogoku Bridge was known for its fireworks and water teahouses, and was a popular summer entertainment spot.
The vivid depiction of common people gathering along the Sumida River beautifully captures the quintessential Edo summer scene.
More than a simple landscape painting, this work can also be considered a “tourist poster for Edo,” documenting the lives and pleasures of the common people.
<2> Ryogoku Bridge and Okawabata
Ryogoku Bridge was constructed in 1659 following the great fire of 1657.
It was named “Ryogoku Bridge” because it connected Musashi Province and Shimousa Province.
It was a key transportation hub in Edo and developed into a center of commerce and entertainment.
The banks of the Sumida River were a popular place for Edo commoners to stroll and sightsee.
In the summer, teahouses lined the river, bustling with people seeking coolness.
The area around Ryogoku Bridge in particular was known as one of Edo’s leading leisure spots, lined with theaters, comedy halls, and restaurants.
<3> Highlights of the painting
In the center of the painting, people are depicted enjoying the cool breeze by the river.
Commoners in yukata are relaxing in their own way, enjoying the summer evening.
These images convey the essence of summer in Edo.
Houseboats and cargo boats floated on the Sumida River, used for river excursions and to transport goods.
Boating to enjoy the cool summer evenings was extremely popular among Edo’s wealthy townspeople and samurai.
Ryogoku Bridge, on the right, is one of Edo’s most famous bridges.
Its size and presence symbolize the vast scale of Edo as a city.
A large firebreak was built at the west end of the bridge.
From around 1764 to 1772, tea shops, restaurants, theaters, and show booths lined the street, forming an entertainment district.
All of the buildings were made of reed mats, so they could be quickly demolished in the event of a fire.
This bridge facilitated transportation to the opposite bank, and led to the development of the Honjo and Fukagawa areas.
This is a bird’s-eye view from a reed mat shop on Ryogoku Hirokoji.
The shop at the bottom is a hanging teahouse. The bridge on the top left is Mikurabashi Bridge.
Various boats ply the river, including summer cruises, fishing boats, rouro-bune (a type of boat used for general entertainment), takase-bune (a type of boat used for general entertainment), iga-bune (a type of boat used for general entertainment), and yakata-bune (a type of boat used for general entertainment).
<4> Modern-day Ryogoku Bridge and Okawabata
The current Ryogoku Bridge was rebuilt during the Taisho period and serves as one of the important bridges crossing the Sumida River.
The surrounding area is home to the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall and the Edo-Tokyo Museum, and is home to many places where you can experience Edo culture.
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is still held in the summer, attracting many visitors.
Watching the fireworks from a houseboat is one way to experience Edo traditions.
<5> Tourist Guide
1) Ryogoku Kokugikan
This is the sacred ground of sumo wrestling.
This is a place that conveys the entertainment culture of the common people that has continued since the Edo period.
2) Edo-Tokyo Museum
Through Edo’s townscape and ukiyo-e prints, you can gain a deeper understanding of the background to the creation of the Ryogoku Bridge Okawabata.
3) Sumida River Cruise
Enjoy the riverside scenery from a modern perspective.
A cool evening boat trip is especially recommended.
