Utagawa Hiroshige-One Hundred Famous Views of Edo-92-Autumn-The Grounds of Ukechi Akiba 歌川広重-名所江戸百景-92-秋-請地秋葉の境内
Current Address: Near Akiba Shrine, Taito Ward
Latitude and Longitude: Latitude: 35.7090, Longitude: 139.7760
Published: August 1857 Age: 61
Tourist Guide-Style Commentary: “The Grounds of Ukechi Akiba”
■ Introduction
Utagawa Hiroshige’s “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” is a series of ukiyo-e prints depicting the four seasons of Edo and is a valuable resource for understanding the charm of the city of Edo.
One of these prints, “The Grounds of Ukechi Akiba,” depicts Akiba Shrine, located in Shitaya (present-day Iriya and Ryusen, Taito Ward).
Hiroshige vividly depicts the common people gathering within the grounds and the festivals taking place there, showcasing the intersection of faith and entertainment for Edo residents.
Through this painting, we can get a sense of how Edo commoners enjoyed the shrine and fostered local culture.
■ What is Ukechi Akiha Shrine?
Akiha Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the god of fire prevention, with its main shrine being Akihayama Hongu Akiha Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Edo was plagued by a series of major fires, making fire one of the greatest fears for the people.
As a result, worship of Akiha as a fire prevention god spread, and many branch shrines were built throughout the city.
Ukechi is located in a corner of Shitaya, a religious area home to many temples and shrines.
The Akiha Shrine enshrined here was beloved as the local guardian deity, and the area was bustling with people praying for fire prevention and holding festivals.
Akiha Shrine was more than just a place of prayer; during festivals and fairs, street stalls and plays were set up, making it a place of entertainment for the common people.
“The Grounds of Ukechi Akiha” depicts such a lively scene.
■ Highlights of the painting
Akiha Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Akiha Gongen from Enshu.
The main hall was built in 1702 with a donation from a feudal lord.
It is known as the guardian deity of fire.
In addition, clear water springs from a hollow in the trunk of the Shinsen pine tree in front of the shrine. This water is said to cure all ailments, and many people visited the shrine.
It is a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, and the autumn leaves reflected in the pond are said to resemble washed brocade, making it a popular destination for refined connoisseurs.
It has been suggested that the monk-like figure in the corner of the teahouse may be Hiroshige himself, with his head shaved.
This was a familiar spot to Hiroshige, and in 1882, Hiroshige III erected a stone monument inscribed with his death poem and an image of Hiroshige with his head shaved.
■ The current site of Ukechi Akiha Shrine
The former site of Ukechi Akiha Shrine is located in what is now the Ryusen/Iriya area of Taito Ward.
The former grounds have been lost, but monuments and place names remain, testifying to their former location.
This area is close to Asakusa and Ueno, and is home to many temples and shrines.
If you visit the ruins of Akiha Shrine during your stroll, you can imagine a space where Edo commoners enjoyed faith and entertainment.
Akiha Shrines are still scattered throughout Tokyo, and they are worshiped as the god of fire prevention.
You can also visit Akiha Shrines around Asakusa and Nihonbashi, allowing you to experience Edo’s religious culture in the modern day.
■ Tourist Guide Recommended Points
- Combine your visit with Asakusa and Ueno
When visiting the ruins of Ukechi Akiha Shrine, consider exploring Sensoji Temple and Ueno’s Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple to gain a broader perspective on the religious culture of Edo commoners. - Learn about Akiha Faith in the Modern World
A visit to the nearby Akiha Shrine will give you a real sense of how Edo people feared fire and relied on prayer.
It will also remind us modern people of disaster prevention awareness.
