Senju-Ohashi is first bridge of Sumida River.
It was built in 1594 (Before Edo Period). Place was 200m upper stream from now it is.
It was simply called “Ohashi (means big bridge)” at that time.
Tokugawa Shogunate(1601-1867) banned to build bridges except Ohashi for defense of Edo.
But traffic became heavy. In addition, Great Fire of Meireki occurred in 1657.
As a result, for traffic and safety, Ryogoku Bridge was built. It was second bridge of Sumida River.
After construction of Ryogoku Bridge, this bridge was called as Senju-Ohashi.
A famous Japanese Ukiyoe artist Utagawa(or Ando) Hiroshige (1797-1858) drew this bridge.
I’ll introduce one of them.
Senju Great Bridge, No. 103 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
Brooklyn Museum of Art
Senju-Ohashi was reconstructed several times.
Present bridge was built in 1927.
The oldest tied arch bridge in Japan.
Here is Senju-Ohashi. This road is Mito Kaido. It was subroute of the Edo Five Routes. It was built to connect from Edo and Mito now located Ibaraki Prefecture. It was prolonged and replaced National Route 4. It ties from Chuo-Ku, Tokyo to Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. It became the longest national route in Japan (887.1 km).
That’s why, traffic is heavy.
Now here is Arakawa-Ku side, and direction is toward Aomori. To go opposite direction, cars have to pass new bridge next to old Senju-Ohashi.
Sign says Senju-Ohashi. But on the bridge, there is just “Ohashi”. It is a memory of the past.
On the bridge. There is Senju Water Pipe on the left. This pipe carry water for industry.
I arrived opposite, Adachi-Ku side.
There was memorial that says “Here is starting point of “Oku no Hosomichi”.
Matsuo Basho (1644–1694) is famous poet of the Edo period in Japan.
In 1689, he traveled around Japan and left a traveler’s journal “Oku no Hosomichi”. Title means “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”.
This is his route.
Distance was about 2400km. It is said that he walked it about 150 days. And he started his travel when 45 years old. This is amazing!
The beginning of “Oku no Hosomichi” is really beautiful. I love it! All of Japanese people learn this at school.
If you have interest, please check Wikipedia “Oku no Hosomichi“.
Under the bridge.
Thee were 3 buoys. They are tied with former wooden bridge under water.
There were a lot of information panels. Here is small museum. Small bridge is Senju-kohasi,means Senju small bridge.
This is Sankin-kotai scene of daimyo of Sendai Domain Date Yoshikuni(1825 – 1874) .
Senju was Shukuba-machi (means Staying place for traveler).
In 1842 Daimyo Date Yoshikuni and his vassal stayed at Senju.
Sankin-kotai is a system of Tokugawa Shogunate. Daimyo had to come to Edo and back to their countries.
For more information Wikipedia Sankin-kotai
Senju-Ohashi 1848.
Other information and picture.
Hiroshige’s work(right) and Hokusai’s work(left).
I took Senju-Ohashi from riverside. Water pipe disturbs…
In addition, there was another pipe(?)
Anyway to take Senju-ohashi is impossible.
So I tried to take atmosphere of around Senju-Ohashi.
There were many residence.
This day was quiet. Reflection was beautiful.
I can imagine people’s calm life with Sumida River.
Close up. But Senju-Ohashi was backdrop of pipes.
It was a little pity. But I could enjoy beautiful scenery.
Senju-ohashi is first bridge of Sumida River and starting point of Oku no hosomichi.
Please enjoy history with beautiful scenery!!
Information
Length:502.5m
Built:1927
Technique: steel tied arch bridge
Nearest Station:Senju-Ohashi Station / Keisei Line
Manager:Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Reference of information :
“Tokyo Pocket Map of Bridges Sumida river”,2013, Tokyo Metropolitan Public Corporation for Road Improvement and Management
Other References
Senju-Ohashi Bridge Wikipedia (Japanese)
Oku no Hosomichi Wikipedia (English)
Sankin-kotai Wikipedia (English)
Related Category : Bridges at Sumida River
Related Article: Decorated with Ryogoku Culture, Ryogokubashi Bridge