How the Great Fire of 1657 Influenced Modern Tokyo
Take a little walk around modern Tokyo, and it will come across as the pinnacle of order and calm. It is hard to imagine that all of this was destroyed a couple of times during the 20th century, first in the earthquake and fire of 1923, and then by bombing in 1945.
These have not been the only occasions that Tokyo has faced misfortune. In those days when the city was still known as Edo, it was practically made of wood. Fires were a constant danger, and Edo burned to the ground on several occasions, only to rise from its ashes like a great phoenix.
One of the most disastrous fires was the Great Fire of 1657. But it was also one of the ones that most taught Japanese society to prevent fires as much as possible. Its influence is still noticeable in the current layout of the city.
Woodblock print showing citizens of Edo escaping from the fire. Musashi Abumi 1661
Edo was still a new city in 1657. The Shogun moved his capital from Kyoto to the town of Edo some 50 years earlier. During that period the city enjoyed unusual economic and population growth, to become one of the largest cities in the world at its time.
The Great Fire of 1657 started in Hongo, spread to Yushima and Kanda, down to Ginza. Unstoppable for 3 days, expanding with the help of strong seeing. The population of Edo was 400,000 in 1657. By the time they managed to put out the fire, at least a quarter of the population had died.
It is said that the Kanda River was so full of bodies that it appeared to be dry. Three quarters of the city’s buildings were in ashes, including most of the buildings that made up Edo Castle.
