The Great Fire of Meireki (2/2)The biggest fire in the Edo period

First, Hoshina Masayuki persuaded the feudal lords to start cooking rice porridge in six locations in Edo. It is said that as many as 1,000 bales of rice were used in one day at six locations, including in front of Zojoji Temple in Shiba. The cooking began on January 21st, the day after the fire had subsided. It was initially planned to last for about a week, but due to the terrible conditions suffered by the victims, the deadline was repeatedly extended, and it was finally continued until February 12th. It is said that a total of 6,000 koku of rice was used during this time.

In addition, the shogunate distributed subsidies to feudal lords and townspeople according to their status. The total amount paid to townspeople reached 160,000 ryo. In addition, the shogunate temporarily suspended feudal lords' alternate attendance system to secure food supplies, and also took measures to prevent the price of rice and lumber, which was necessary for reconstruction, from soaring.

They also conducted funerals for the dead, and buried the bodies of those whose identities and relatives were unknown at Honjo Ushijima Shinden and built a temple for their memorial services. This became the basis for the current Ekoin Temple (Ryogoku, Sumida Ward, Tokyo).

Impact of the Great Fire of Meireki ① Establishment of a full-scale "regular fire brigade"

As a result of the Meireki Fire, the Edo Shogunate reviewed its firefighting system and established the "jobikeshi" (regular fire brigades). The jobikeshi were fire brigade specialists made up of four hatamoto families, and were given their own mansions to serve as firefighters. A fire watchtower was built within the mansion, and two doshin (police officers) constantly watched the surrounding area. In the event of a fire, over 100 personnel were called out to fight the fire. They were also responsible for maintaining public order, and were permitted to own firearms.

The regular fire brigade, which started with just four families, continued to grow, and at its peak in 1695, it had expanded to 15 groups. It later shrunk to 10 groups, and although it gradually became a mere formality, it continued to operate until the end of the Edo period.

The "machibikeshi" (town fire brigade), a firefighting organization for townspeople established by the magistrate of the southern area, Ooka Tadasuke, in 1718, replaced the regular fire brigade and became more prominent. In addition to the "Iroha 48 groups" familiar from period dramas, there were 16 groups in Honjo and Fukagawa, making a total of 64 groups that protected the city of Edo from fires.

The central figures of the town fire brigade were craftsmen called "Tobi" who were engaged in construction work at high altitudes. Edokko people admired the figure of the Matoi bearer who climbed onto the roof near the fire and waved his Matoi, marking the firefighting efforts and encouraging his comrades.

Impact of the Meireki Fire 2. The lost castle tower

The Edo Shogunate took various steps to restore Edo. First, in order to understand the current state of Edo, they used Dutch surveying techniques to create the "New Edo Large Map," a map based on actual surveys.

Furthermore, the reconstruction of Edo Castle, which had been damaged by fire, began. Work including repairs to the stone walls and rebuilding of the Honmaru Palace was completed in 1659, but the castle was safely restored to its former glory... but not before the castle tower was not rebuilt.

The castle tower was originally planned to be rebuilt, but it was Hoshina Masayuki who put a stop to the plan. Fifty years had passed since the castle tower was built at Edo Castle in 1607, and the Shogunate's administration had stabilized, ushering in a time of peace throughout the country. In this climate, the castle tower, a military base and a symbol of power, was no longer needed. With the restoration of the city of Edo being essential, there was no time to spend money and materials on a symbolic building.

The damage to Edo Castle caused some slight changes to its appearance. The number of "Gosuzu Corridors" connecting the Omote and Ooku areas was increased to two. This was to make it easier for the maids of the Ooku to escape.

Impact of the Meireki Fire 3. Fire prevention measures to develop and expand the city of Edo

After the Great Fire of Meireki, the Edo Shogunate strengthened fire prevention measures in Edo. First, they moved samurai residences and temples and shrines farther away from Edo Castle. For example, the Owari Tokugawa and Kii Tokugawa families, who were located within Edo Castle, moved to Kojimachi, and the Mito Tokugawa family moved to Koishikawa.

In addition, the samurai residences around Edo Castle, temples and shrines, and townspeople's areas where fire was often used were relocated, and development was carried out in Honjo and Fukagawa, which were previously wetlands, and Tsukiji, which was filled in. Regarding buildings, the shogunate later issued an edict prohibiting the use of flammable roofs such as thatched or straw roofs, and instead requiring thatching be used instead.

Furthermore, to prevent the spread of fires, open spaces and banks were set up throughout Edo city, known as "firebreaks." Taking into account the wind direction, firebreaks were set up on both the east and west sides of the northern to northwestern parts of Edo Castle. Wide roads, such as Shitaya Hirokoji (near Ueno Hirokoji in Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo), were also set up.

The Meireki Fire also brought about changes to the Sumida River, which had previously had no bridges other than Senju Ohashi Bridge. For reasons such as the defense of Edo Castle, ferry boats were the main means of transport across the Sumida River, but in 1659, the Ryogoku Bridge was built, and since then, the Shin Ohashi Bridge, Eitai Bridge, and Azuma Bridge have been built. This was in response to the fact that people who tried to escape to Mukojima during the Meireki Fire were unable to cross the river and were unable to do so.

The development of Edo's streets had been ongoing even before the Meireki Fire, but the fire accelerated the process, and as progress was made in building a fire-resistant town, Edo began to expand.