The 79th of Utagawa Hiroshige’s “100 Famous Views of Edo,” is Teppōzu Tsukiji temple. The original picture is here.
Looking down from above the sea at the shore called Teppōzu, you can see the large roof of Tsukiji Temple in the distance. This is likely the scene depicted in the painting. It’s one of Hiroshige’s signature fantastical works, depicting a view that no one could actually see in reality.
In modern times, the view has changed considerably.
Unfortunately, the old Teppozucho has completely transformed into a green embankment, and the view towards Tsukiji Honganji Temple is now completely blocked by St. Luke’s Tower and other buildings. The passing ships are no longer sailboats, but sightseeing boats traveling up and down the Sumida River.
Encountering this sightseeing boat was pure coincidence. When it emerged from under the Kachidoki Bridge visible downstream, I couldn’t help but thank beginner’s luck.
Come to think of it, the current view of Kachidoki Bridge with scaffolding on its trusses due to renovation work might actually be quite rare. I’ll include that image as well.
To begin with, the very spot where I, the photographer, am standing is a corner of a park in Tsukishima, a reclaimed land that didn’t even exist in the Edo period. Had this place not been created through administrative decisions after the Meiji era, this “Hundred Views” article would never have come to fruition.
Gradually emerging as local specialties throughout the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods were Tsukuda’s Tsukudani and Tsukishima’s Monjayaki. Nishinaka Street (commonly known as “Monjayaki Street”) was bustling even in the middle of the day.
That’s all from the scene.
This time’s “100 Views” shooting location
![広重名所江戸百景 望月義也コレクション [ 望月義也 ]](https://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/book/cabinet/0032/9784772610032.jpg?_ex=128x128)
