Utagawa Hiroshige-One Hundred Famous Views of Edo-101-Winter-Yoshihara Nihonzutsumi 歌川広重-名所江戸百景-101-冬-よし原日本堤
Current Address: Near Nihonzutsumi, Taito Ward
Latitude and Longitude: Latitude: 35.7310, Longitude: 139.7950
Published: April 1857 Age: 61
Tourist Guide-Style Commentary: “Yoshihara Nihonzutsumi”
■ Introduction
Utagawa Hiroshige’s “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” is a collection of ukiyo-e prints depicting Edo’s cityscapes, nature, and the lives of ordinary people throughout the seasons.
Among them, “Yoshihara Nihonzutsumi” is set on Nihonzutsumi, the causeway leading to Yoshiwara, Edo’s largest entertainment district.
Yoshiwara was Edo’s social center and an important cultural center.
Hiroshige’s depictions of people heading there skillfully convey the aspirations and excitement of the people of the time.
■Nihonzutsumi and Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarter
Nihonzutsumi is a causeway built to protect the low-lying marshes on the east bank of the Sumida River from flooding.
Extending northeast from Asakusa, it also served as the main access to the Yoshiwara pleasure district.
Yoshiwara was established in 1617 as a brothel officially recognized by the shogunate and later relocated to the area near Nihonzutsumi in Asakusa.
As Edo’s population grew, it prospered, and with the emergence of tayu (courtesans) and oiran (courtesans), a unique culture developed.
Also known as the “Town of Dreams,” Yoshiwara was a dream destination for townspeople and samurai alike.
Deeply associated with kabuki and literature, it became a center of Edo fashion.
■Highlights of the Painting
Ieyasu constructed a 1,500-meter levee using labor contributions from feudal lords across the country to protect the city from flooding of the Arakawa River.
There are two theories about the origin of the name Nihonzutsumi. One is that daimyo from all over Japan participated, and the other is that it was a second levee to prevent flooding of the Sumida River to the northeast.
When Yoshiwara was relocated in 1657, it became the road to Yoshiwara, with over 100 teahouses lining both sides.
A hanging teahouse is depicted in the center.
In the center right is a mikaeriyanagi tree, which guests would look back at reluctantly on their way home from Yoshiwara.
Turn left there and go down Imonzaka Hill to the Daimon Gate, and you will enter Yoshiwara.
The roofs visible in the mist beyond the trees are Yoshiwara.
■ Modern Nihonzutsumi and the Site of Yoshiwara
Today, Nihonzutsumi retains its name in the area around Kiyokawa and Nihonzutsumi in Taito Ward.
Although it no longer serves as a levee, the place name retains memories of the Edo period.
The layout of the red-light district remains to this day and can be seen in the streets around Senzoku in Taito Ward.
The remains of the former Daimon Gate and the Mikaeriyanagi Willow Tree are historic sites that convey the atmosphere of the Edo period.
Strolling around these areas, along with Sensoji Temple and Hanayashiki, creates a course that allows you to experience both the pleasures and religious aspects of Edo.
■ Recommended Points from the Tourist Guide
① Yoshiwara Daimon Gate Ruins
This was the only entrance to the Yoshiwara pleasure district.
An anecdote about the Mikaeriyanagi Tree, where people are said to have looked back before entering, is passed down.
② Walking the Remnants of Nihonzutsumi
By strolling through the Nihonzutsumi and Kiyokawa districts of Taito Ward today, you can experience the path that once led to Yoshiwara.
③ Literary Monuments and Historical Sites
The surrounding area is dotted with literary monuments and historical sites themed around Yoshiwara, allowing you to experience Edo culture even more deeply.
