Town mirror - Machikagami

Japanese: 町鑑 - まちかがみ

A guide to the names of towns and cities in early modern times, a publication unique to the three major capitals (Kyoto, Osaka, and Edo). Kyo Machi Kagami was published in 1762, and provides an overview of Kyoto's history and geography, with town names and brief geographical articles. Osaka Machi Kagami was published in 1756, and lists the names of towns, bridges, moats, and rivers in the three Osaka towns in alphabetical order, with their locations added. Both have since been expanded and revised. Edo Machi Kagami is divided into two series, the Bansei series and the Taihei series, depending on the publisher. The Bansei series was published in 1729 (expanded and revised twice, in 1747 and 1807), and the Taihei series was published almost annually from 1842 to 1860. Based on city government directories such as the magistrate's office, town elders, and village headmen, it was expanded with articles related to the town fire brigade and guides to town names. While the "Kyoto Machi Kagami" and "Osaka Machi Kagami" were pronounced "machikagami" and were guides to town names, the "Edo Machi Kagami" was pronounced "chokan" and was a city government directory and handbook, and thus were different in nature.

Source : Heibonsha Encyclopedia About MyPedia Information

Japanese:

近世都市の町名等の案内記で，三都（京都・大坂・江戸）特有の出版物。〈京町鑑〉は1762年に刊行，京都の歴史・地理を概括し，町名と簡単な地誌的記事を付す。〈大坂町鑑〉は1756年に刊行，大坂三郷の町・橋・堀・川名をいろは順に配列し，位置を付記している。いずれもその後増補改訂版が出ている。〈江戸町鑑〉は版元別に万世(ばんせい)系と泰平系の２系統に分けられ，万世系は1729年刊行（1747年と1807年の二度増補改訂），泰平系は1842年から1860年まで毎年のように刊行された。町奉行所・町年寄・名主などの市政名鑑を基本とし，町火消(まちびけし)関係記事や町名案内が増補された。〈京町鑑〉〈大坂町鑑〉は〈まちかがみ〉と読み，町名案内記であったのに対し，〈江戸町鑑〉は〈ちょうかん〉と読ませ，内容は市政名鑑・市政要覧で，性格を異にしていた。

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