After you have tasted Minoya, relying on the shop card given to you by the staff lady, make your way towards the Sumida river.
When taking a seat on a nearby bench, while you are basking in the fresh breeze, you may want to know the story behind this hooded gull statue
Until the 1500s this place was simply wetlands. But 1603 marked the beginning of a 400 year period of growth for Fukagawa, which started from under Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early 1600s. The area changed completely initially when it became a supply point for food and goods. That was the beginning of Fukagawa.
Elite families (known as Daimyo) were all forced to move to Edo under Ieyasu’s rule. As a result the population exploded. At the time, since the houses were made of wood, if a single fire sprang up it could burn a huge portion of the city. In order to avoid overcrowding in the central part of the city, people then began to look towards the opposite shore of the Sumida river.
First, the Samurai residences were moved to a new place called Honjo, the current area known as Ryogoku. This new area combined both merchants and local businessmen. The areas of Morishita, Kiyosumi-Shirakwa, and Mozennakachou came to be known as Fukagawa. The large merchant mansions of the area served as points to carry goods through the waterways of Edo. Following this was the construction of shrines, temples and new towns.
When you crossed the Sumida river it was as if you were entering a separate country. In order to alleviate the Samurai’s dissatisfaction of moving to a remote place, sumo competitions, restaurants, and the red light district were created one by one.
Due to the chic air the area gained popularity with the cross dressers and Geisha. It was also the most academic place of the day, with shrines and temples.
The merchants and craftsmen who provided Edo with goods made up the diverse residents living in this Fukagawa area. Unlike other places, here was not smothered by the privileged class. Instead the townspeople fostered a unique and creative culture.
Matsuo Basho, who invented the Haiku, which is said to be the world's shortest type of poem, lived in this area and went for training opposite a nearby river.
If you look on the right side you will see the Shinohashi area. The area used to be called Anza, and although it is not used for administration or government purposes any longer, even nowadays during festivals the people of this town often display the chinese characters of Anza.
Because the landscape and culture of Edo are hiding in our daily lives, the seeds of the craftsman and creators maybe breathing in the neighbors.
If you want to know a story of the place it is good to ask the locals. If you pass through the neighborhood it is a natural opportunity to speak with them. In doing so you can learn more about the history of this town.
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Address: Tokyo, Koto-Ku, Shin-Ohashi 3-5-4
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm
Closed Sundays and national holidays
URL: https://www.facebook.com/pg/tofuminoya/
☎︎ +81 3-3631-4646
※Once a month (date not set), tours are held from 8:00am.
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