オフィシャル
The memories of the Great Kanto earthquake
I am Yasubei, who loves Chuo Ward, Tokyo, very much. I would like to pick up a big earthquake that hit the Kanto area, with its center in Tokyo, just 100 years ago.
Every Japanese person learns about the big earthquake, well-known as the Great Kanto earthquake, that struck the Kanto area on September 1, 1923, destroying everything in its path. This day became a memorial day known as Disaster Prevention Day, reminding people of the importance of preparing for natural disasters, much like January 17, when the Great Hanshin earthquake occurred in 1995, and March 11, when the Great Tohoku earthquake occurred in 2011. I sometimes see scenes from that day in pictures or on TV programs. However, even so, I cannot fully imagine that everything around my house was destroyed and that 105,000 people died in the earthquake. Today, few people would have direct memories of the earthquake. However, if you look closely, you can still find many enduring memories of the earthquake in Chuo Ward.
Yanagibashi Bridge and a reconstruction monument
Yanagibashi Bridge spans the point where the Kanda River joins the Sumida River. The bridge collapsed due to the Great Kanto earthquake, and the current bridge is one of the bridges that were built as a result of earthquake reconstruction. The design of the Eitai Bridge was adopted for Yanagibashi Bridge, giving it the appearance of a mini Eitai Bridge. You can also see a reconstruction monument at the southern end of the bridge.
Yasukuni-dori Avenue
Yasukuni-dori is an 8 km avenue that connects Asakusabashi intersection in Chuo Ward and Shinjuku in Shinjuku Ward. This is one of two main avenues constructed for recovery from earthquake damage. A short section of the avenue passes through Chuo Ward.
Shin-ohashi Bridge and a monument
Shin-ohashi Bridge is a bridge that spans the Sumida River and is well known for being featured in a famous woodblock print by Hiroshige Utagawa. Shin-ohashi Bridge, of course, was not the old wooden bridge depicted in the print but a steel bridge. It was the only bridge over the Sumida River that did not burn down during the earthquake, saving many lives from the fires caused by the earthquake. There is a monument explaining how the bridge saved many lives at the west end of the bridge.
Kiyosubashi Bridge
Kiyosubashi Bridge is a bridge that spans the Sumida River and was newly built as part of earthquake reconstruction. It is a beautiful suspension bridge, often compared in design to Eitai Bridge, which was built during the same period. Kiyosubashi Bridge is often described as beautiful, while Eitai Bridge is seen as powerful.
Eitai Bridge
The first Eitai Bridge was built in 1698. The bridge that was damaged by the earthquake was a steel structure with a tram line passing over it, however, the bridge could not withstand the earthquake and burned down. The new Eitai Bridge was constructed as one of the most important bridges, alongside Kiyosubashi Bridge, for earthquake reconstruction. In recent years, many bridges across the Sumida River have been illuminated, and the blue lighting of the Eitai Bridge is a particular favorite of mine.
Showa-dori Avenue
Finally, I introduce Showa-dori Avenue. Showa-dori is an 8 km avenue that connects Ozeki-Yokocho intersection in Taito Ward to Shimbashi in Minato Ward. This is another main avenue constructed for earthquake reconstruction. Showa-dori Avenue runs parallel to Chuo-dori Street in Ginza, Kyobashi and Nihonbashi and serves as both an access road to the area and a bypass road that avoids the central of the area.
What are your thoughts on the 100 years after the Great Kanto earthquake?
For many people, the Great Kanto earthquake is an event of the past, known only through written records, the internet, or television. However, we must not let the memories of our predecessors fade away. If you walk around the city, you will find that the memories of the earthquake are still everywhere. I hope that my article will encourage people, not only in Tokyo but also around the world, to think about the earthquake and peace.