Edo Five Routes (Gokaido)
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2. The history of Edo Five Routes a. Before the Edo Period Chapter 2 considers the history of roads in ancient Japan. In the late Asuka Period, what is called the early Ritsuryo Period, each of seven regions in Japan (Shichi-do) had main roads. These roads were one of the most important roads, and they had a great effect on roads in the upcoming ages. In other words, they may be the origin of Edo Five Routes. Subsequently, the road from Nara or Kyoto to Dazaifu, where is today in Fukuoka Prefecture, and the road from Kyoto to Kamakura were maintained. In Sengoku Period, each Sengoku-Daimyo made many roads in each controlled range. |
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b. The Edo Shogunate kept roads in good condition In the early Edo period, the Edo Shogunate changed the main road system from the end of Sengoku Period in order to protect Edo City. At that, it constituted Gokaido (Edo Five Route) as the most main roads. Gokaido contained Tokaido, Nakasendo, Nikko-kaido, Oshu-kaido, and Koshu-kaido. It also involved sub-route of Gokaido such as Mino-ji. Other main roads called “Waki-kaido” (affiliated route), for example, Saigoku-kaido and so on. To establish and maintain roads meant not only the development of economy and the stable politics but also the duration of peace under national isolation in the Edo Period. |