Saruwaka-machi
【猿若町】
【SARUWAKAMACHI(CHO)】
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Prosperity of Saruwaka-machi in the Edo period. Painted by Hiroshige.
This is Shibai-cho (a drama town) where Edo Sanza (three major theatres in Edo) and Ningyo-Joruri theatres gathered in the late Edo period. The town was located near current Asakusa 6-chome.
In 1841, when the Tempo reform began, the three theatres located at different places until then were ordered to move their locations to a remained site of a daimyo residence in Asakusa Shoten-cho on the skirts of Edo. A newly created town was named Saruwaka-machi. During the year, Nakamuraza Theatre moved to 1-chome and Ichimuraza Theatre to 2-chome. In the following year, Kawarasakiza (Moritaza) Theatre moved to 3-chome. Actors and other theatrical people were ordered to live in the town. Saruwaka-machi became a super-lively town after even the Ningyo-Joruri theatres moved there.
Saruwaka-machi flourished as the center of theatrical activities until Moritaza Theatre moved its location to Shintomi-cho in 1872.
In 1841, when the Tempo reform began, the three theatres located at different places until then were ordered to move their locations to a remained site of a daimyo residence in Asakusa Shoten-cho on the skirts of Edo. A newly created town was named Saruwaka-machi. During the year, Nakamuraza Theatre moved to 1-chome and Ichimuraza Theatre to 2-chome. In the following year, Kawarasakiza (Moritaza) Theatre moved to 3-chome. Actors and other theatrical people were ordered to live in the town. Saruwaka-machi became a super-lively town after even the Ningyo-Joruri theatres moved there.
Saruwaka-machi flourished as the center of theatrical activities until Moritaza Theatre moved its location to Shintomi-cho in 1872.
