すみだを学ぶLearn about Sumida

Sumida Ward was formed on March 15, 1947 (Showa 22) by merging Mukojima Ward in the northern area and Honjo Ward in the southern area.
At that time, the new ward was named "Sumida Ward ." The "Sumi" comes from "Bokutei," the common name for the Sumida River embankment, which has been widely known to people since ancient times, and the "Ta" comes from the "Ta" in the name of the Sumida River.

Sumida Ward, where the Skytree stands, is home to many of Tokyo's representative downtown areas, including Oshiage , Ryogoku , Kinshicho , and Mukojima . What kind of town was Sumida like during the Edo period when it was first established?

During the Edo period, a certain area of ​​Sumida Ward surrounded Edo, a major city. The northern and southern parts of the area followed completely different historical paths, which continue to this day. The northern part of the region was land even before the Edo period, dating back to the Heian period, and developed as an agricultural area. It was known as "Sumida-juku" and served as a place where people exchanged goods and as an important transportation hub. On the other hand, the southern part of the region was mostly wetlands and not suitable for human habitation. However, the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657 made even previously habitable areas uninhabitable. This prompted the development of the remaining wetlands into urban areas, giving rise to downtown culture .

Later, in 1717 (Kyoho 2), the then-shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune planted cherry trees along the Sumida River River. These trees still remain today, allowing us to enjoy the cherry blossoms every spring. The Sumida River fireworks and sumo wrestling also began around this time. Furthermore, while floods were a major concern for the industries in this region, improvements to the rivers and the use of canals for water transport led to the flourishing of industries producing daily necessities such as roof tiles, dyeing, timber, and casting. Because river canals could be used for transportation, industrialization progressed during the Meiji era, and manufacturing industries such as textiles, precision manufacturing, soap, leather, metals, glass, and rubber developed.

Sumida has a long-established culture of craftsmanship dating back to the Edo period.
Sumida Ward is a town where history and Tradition culture still remain, and where the vibrancy and atmosphere of Tokyo's old downtown area, which developed through industry and tourism, still thrives.
Workshops are scattered throughout the area, preserving Tradition crafts, and it's also a hub for young artists striving to create new products.

Sumida is also an industrial city.
In 1889 (Meiji 22), Kanegafuchi Spinning (now Kanebo) was established. Sumida was also the location of the first company in Japan to manufacture railway rolling stock, and it was in Sumida that Seikosha (now Seiko Holdings) began making watches.
It was in Sumida that Kobayashi Tomijiro Shoten (now Lion Corporation) invented toothpaste, and where Nagase Shoten (now Kao Corporation) relocated its soap factory.
Because of this history, Sumida continues to thrive as an industrial town.

When you hear "Ryōgoku," you think of sumo, Japan's national sport.
The Ryogoku Kokugikan hosts three sumo tournaments a year (January, Summer, and Autumn).

In 1732, a great famine and a cholera epidemic caused many deaths in Edo.
The current fireworks festival originated from the prayers of the 8th Shogun, Yoshimune, for the repose of the souls of the dead and for the eradication of disease.