Sekiya Village on the Sumidagawa

Catalog note / 解説

The Sumida River, just over 14 1/2 miles long, originates in the Kanto Mountains. The river changes names in the length of its course: first it is called the Nakatsugawa, then the Arakawa, the Sumidagawa, and at its lower reaches, the Okawa or Asakusagawa. This major river flows north to south through the eastern half of Tokyo, connects a network of canals, and then empties into Tokyo Bay. Now as well as in the Edo period, the river was closely integrated into the life of the people; countless wholesale stores and warehouses were located along its banks. Sekiya was located to the north of the city of Edo proper, where the river was called Arakawa. The village was famous for beautiful scener…