Most ancient sites, like temples and palaces, have been rebuilt or restored over time, sometimes more than once.
Why is that?
Edo: The City of Fire
Edo was the name of Tokyo before 1868. It was the capital of Japan under the Tokugawa shoguns, who ruled the country for over 250 years. Edo was a huge and busy city, with over one million people by 1800. It was also a city of culture and art, with theaters, prints and poetry.
However, Edo was also a city of fire. Fires were so common that they were called “the blossoms of Edo”.
They were caused by many things, like wooden buildings, cooking stoves, candles, lanterns and fireworks. They were also sometimes started on purpose by rebels or criminals.
The worst fire was the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657. It burned most of the city and killed over 100,000 people. Many temples, shrines and castles were destroyed by the fire.
Some of them were rebuilt by the shoguns or the people, but some were not.
Tokyo: The City of Change
Edo change its name to Tokyo in 1868, when the Meiji government moved the emperor from Kyoto to Edo. This marked the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the start of a new era of modernization and westernization for Japan.
Tokyo changed fast under the Meiji government. Many old buildings were gone or moved to make new roads, trains and public buildings. Western-style buildings and technology came to make a modern city. Tokyo also became an important place for education, business and industry.
But the city also faced new problems and difficulties. It was too crowded, dirty and unhappy because of fast growth and change. Tokyo also had more disasters like earthquakes and wars. The worst one was the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. It killed over 140,000 people and destroyed most of the city.
Many ancient sites in Tokyo were damaged or lost by these disasters. Some of them were rebuilt or restored by the government or the people, but some were not.
Tokyo and Edo: The City of Rebirth
There are many ancient sites in Tokyo that are actually not ancient. They are rebuilt or restored versions of the original ones. For example:
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa: This is the oldest temple in Tokyo, founded in 628. But it was burned down several times by fires and wars. The current temple was rebuilt in 1958.
Edo Castle: This is the former castle of the Tokugawa shoguns, built in 1457. But it was damaged by fires and earthquakes. The current palace is a reconstruction from 1968.
Nogi Shrine: This is a shrine dedicated to General Nogi Maresuke and his wife Shizuko, who committed suicide in 1912 after learning about the death of Emperor Meiji. The shrine was destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. The current shrine is a reconstruction from 1926.
Why do people rebuild or restore these ancient sites? There are many reasons, such as:
– To preserve the history and culture of Japan
– To honor the memory and spirit of the people who lived there
– To attract tourists and visitors who want to see old Japan
– To show respect and gratitude to nature and gods
– To create a sense of beauty and harmony
The many sites, old and new, are definitely worth seeing and learning about. They show us how Tokyo has changed and survived over time. They also show us how Tokyo has kept its traditions and values alive.