Edo (Tokyo)

Summary

In this CitiesX episode, Ed Glaeser interviews historian Andrew Gordon to explore the urban transformation of Japan. Gordon explains how Tokyo, once a small fishing village called Edo, became a significant city in the 17th century under the Tokugawa shoguns. The growth was driven by the relocation of samurai warriors and the development of services for them. This pattern was seen in other castle towns across Japan, leading to a mini-state system with Edo at its peak. The discussion highlights the importance of state-supported transportation networks in economic development, with the historical road systems still influencing modern infrastructure.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Tokyo, formerly known as Edo, transformed from a small fishing village into a significant urban center starting in the 17th century with the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.
• 🎖️ The early growth of Edo was driven by the relocation of thousands of samurai warriors, who later transitioned from warriors to consumers requiring various services.
• 🛣️ The development of Edo and other cities during the Tokugawa period was facilitated by the consolidation of castle towns, serving as hubs for economic and cultural activities.
• 💼 Merchants and artisans were attracted to these castle towns initially to serve the samurai class, but they eventually developed their own distinct culture and economy.
• 🛤️ The growth of cities was supported by the maintenance and development of road systems, which were crucial for the movement of people and economic development.
• 🚂 There was a form of state support for transportation networks long before the construction of rail lines in the 1910s, which laid the groundwork for modern transportation infrastructure.
• 🔗 The historical road systems have a direct impact on the current layout of automobile and train networks, illustrating the concept of path dependency in economic development.
• 🌐 The discussion highlights the importance of state building and centralized governance in the growth of cities, even if it was through a series of 'mini states' during the Tokugawa period.
• 🏛️ The consolidation of power under the Tokugawa shoguns led to the strategic choice of Edo as the capital, which was near the shogun's power base and beneficial for military strategy.
• 🌟 The interview features Andrew Gordon, a historian at Harvard, who offers insights into the historical development of Japan's cities through his course, 'Visualizing Japan'.
• 🗺️ The script provides a historical perspective on how cities in Japan, particularly Tokyo, evolved from small settlements into thriving urban centers through strategic planning and economic development.

Q & A

Who is Ed Glaeser and what is the topic of discussion in the CitiesX video?

Ed Glaeser is the host of the CitiesX video, and the topic of discussion is the amazing cities of Japan.

What is Andrew Gordon's role in the CitiesX video and what is his HarvardX course called?

Andrew Gordon is a historian at Harvard and a guest in the CitiesX video. His HarvardX course is called 'Visualizing Japan'.

When did Tokyo, formerly known as Edo, become an urban powerhouse according to the discussion?

Tokyo, formerly Edo, became an urban powerhouse at the start of the 17th century with the consolidation of power under the Tokugawa shoguns.

What was Edo's status before becoming the capital under the first Tokugawa shogun?

Edo was a small fishing village with a small population and a much smaller physical land area than it has today.

Why did the first Tokugawa shogun decide to locate his capital in Edo?

The first Tokugawa shogun chose Edo for its strategic location near his power base on the eastern side of Japan, which served him well in military strategy.

What was the initial driving force behind the growth of Edo?

The initial growth of Edo was driven by the influx of thousands of samurai warriors who were brought in to live there.

How did the samurai warriors contribute to the city's development after wars ended?

After wars ended, the samurai warriors gradually ceased to be warriors and needed various services, which led to the growth of other professions like merchants and artisans.

What was the pattern for the growth of other small towns into cities during the Tokugawa period?

The growth pattern involved the consolidation of castle towns, one per domain, all over Japan, each serving as a hub and contributing to the development of a series of mini states.

What role did merchants and artisans play in the development of Edo and other cities during the Tokugawa period?

Merchants and artisans initially congregated to provide services to the samurai who had money to spend, and later developed their own culture and economy.

How did the road systems contribute to economic development during the Tokugawa period?

The road systems facilitated the movement of people in and out of cities, which in turn provoked economic development along these transport routes.

What is the concept of 'path dependency' as discussed in relation to the development of Japan's cities?

Path dependency refers to the literal and metaphorical reliance on established roads and pathways that shaped the growth and economic development of cities.

How do the historical transport routes influence the current transportation infrastructure in Japan?

The main road systems for automobiles and train tracks today follow the pathways that were originally footpaths during the Tokugawa period.