What does Miyakezaka mean?
The Miyake clan may not be very famous, but they definitely left their mark on Edo-Tokyo topography. Continue reading What does Miyakezaka mean?
Tag: sakuradamon
Where is Goten’yama today?
Gotenyama was the premiere hanami spot in Edo. Not much remains today. Continue reading Where is Goten’yama today?
What does Nagatachō mean?
Nagata-chō is to Japan what Washington DC or Downing Street are to the US and UK. Go #metonym power! Continue reading What does Nagatachō mean?
What does Ushigome mean?
牛込 Ushigome (Crowd of Cows) 。 。 牛 ushi cow 込 komi[i] swarming, huddling, amassed, crowded, “in bulk” 。 According to Japanese Wikipedia[ii], in 701, in accordance to the Taihō Code, a livestock ranch was established in this area. In fact, two were established which were sometimes referred to as 牛牧 gyūmaki a cow ranch and 馬牧 umamaki a horse ranch. These two locations came to be referred to as 牛込 Ushigome and 駒込 Komagome. The fact that there was a cattle/dairy ranch here in the Asuka Period is a known fact (it’s documented). The horse ranch is a different … Continue reading What does Ushigome mean?
What does Yoyogi mean?
Today’s Tokyo place name is a reader request. The area is decidedly yamanote and was the location of many palatial daimyo residences during the Edo Period, including the lords of Hikone, the Ii clan, including Ii Naosuke, the dude who could have saved the Bakufu. Continue reading What does Yoyogi mean?
