What does Shakujii mean?
Shakujii Park is a famous park in Tokyo, but do you know it’s dirty little secret? Continue reading What does Shakujii mean?
Tag: edo
What does Marunouchi mean?
It’s the last day of GW!
If you’re curious about what happened to real estate in the early Meiji years, I’ve got some pretty amazing pictures for you in this one. Today’s topic is Marunouchi and the so-called Daimyo Alley, the high-walled, moated, garden filled area of upper residences of the most elite daimyo. Today the area is filled with the skyscrapers of some of Japan’s wealthiest and most powerful companies.
Oh and just a heads up, this is good week for JapanThis. We’re finally at 100 members on Facebook. This week’s topics are Marunouchi, Shiodome, Shakujii, Nerima and a quick book review. Continue reading What does Marunouchi mean?
What does Aoyama mean?
Today’s place name sounds like it comes from a beautiful green mountain, but actually it’s the name of a prominent samurai family from the Sengoku Period. Why is is Aoyama called Aoyama? Continue reading What does Aoyama mean?
Go-kaidÅ – The 5 Highways of Old Japan
Teleportation technology wasn’t yet available for the Shogun in Tokugawa Japan, so instead they used an extensive system of roads. The 5 most important roads led to Edo. They were called the Go-kaido. Awwwwwwwww yeah. Continue reading Go-kaidÅ – The 5 Highways of Old Japan
Why is KyÅbashi called KyÅbashi?
Today’s place name is Kyobashi. It means “bridge to the capital.” Was that Edo or Kyoto? More importantly, this bridge is a testament to Japanese engineering. It’s final incarnation was completed one year before the Great Kanto Earthquake leveled Tokyo in 1923 but the bridge survived. It also survived WWII. But it didn’t survive modern progress in Tokyo…. Let’s learn more! Continue reading Why is KyÅbashi called KyÅbashi?
Why is HatchÅbori called HatchÅbori
What does HatchÅbori mean? It’s not an 8 city moat, by the way. Continue reading Why is HatchÅbori called HatchÅbori
What does Tameike-SannÅ mean?
Today’s place name is made up of 2 words. One of the words has a history going all the back to the Heian Period. The other part goes back to the Edo Period. Today, the area is kind of boring, but the story behind the name is fascinating! What does Tameike-Sanno mean? Continue reading What does Tameike-SannÅ mean?
Two Famous Murders in My Neighborhood (part 2)
Today I continue with Part 2 of “Two Famous Murders in my Neighborhood.” Last time we talked about the assassination of interpreter, Henry Heusken. Today, we’ll talk about the douchiest å¿å£« shishi (men of high purpose) of the Bakumatsu, Kiyokawa Hachiro who was killed in Azabu-Juban. Continue reading Two Famous Murders in My Neighborhood (part 2)
Conflag Hag – How Fires Shaped the Face of Edo and Tokyo
Major fires (conflagrations) have changed the organization and look of Tokyo, Japan. Today let’s look at some of the major disasters that made Tokyo what it is today! Continue reading Conflag Hag – How Fires Shaped the Face of Edo and Tokyo
What does Yoshiwara mean?
Why is Yoshiwara called Yoshiwara?
It’s considered one of the most beautiful times and places in Japanese history. But so-called “Western sensibilities” shut it down. But the legend still persists as the a place to go for fun. Western cultures slut shaming Asia again…
Continue reading What does Yoshiwara mean?
