Ryogoku

Japanese: 両国 - りょうごく

A district on the left bank of the Sumida River, at the southwest end of Sumida Ward, Tokyo. It once referred to both sides of Ryogoku Bridge, and the Chuo Ward side on the right bank was also called Ryogoku, but in 1971 (Showa 46) the name was changed to Higashi-Nihonbashi. At the border with Yokoami to the north is JR Ryogoku Station, once a busy gateway to the Sobu Line, and at the southeast end of Yokoami, along Kiyosumi-dori, is Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line. Ryogoku Bridge was built after the Great Fire of Meireki (1657), and since Honjo on the left bank was once part of Shimousa Province, the bridge was named after the fact that it connected Musashi and Shimousa, and the area name is derived from this bridge. Ryogoku Hirokoji, once bustling with shows, theaters, teahouses, and other establishments, was at the west end of Ryogoku Bridge and corresponds to the northern part of Higashi-Nihonbashi in Chuo Ward today. The Sumida Ward side was also called Higashi-Ryogoku and Mukai-Ryogoku. At the east end of the area is Ekoin Temple, where those who died in the Meireki fire were buried. In the late Edo period, Kanjin Sumo tournaments were often held within the temple grounds, and in 1909 (Meiji 42), the Kokugikan Sumo Hall was built. The current Kokugikan was moved from Kuramae to the north side of Ryogoku Station in 1985 (Showa 60). Ryogoku is also known for its fireworks over the Sumida River, and the river opening ceremony on May 28th of the lunar calendar is crowded with spectators and summer boats, which brightly light up the night sky with shouts of "Tamaya" and "Kagiya". The event was temporarily suspended, but the current Sumida River Fireworks Festival has been moved upstream.

[Kikuchi Masao]

Ryogoku Bridge
The smartly shaped Gerber girder bridge was first built in 1659 (Manji 2) and is often depicted in nishiki-e (colored woodblock prints). It is the second oldest bridge on the Sumida River. It was completed in 1932 (Showa 7). Total length is 164.5m. Chuo-ku and Sumida-ku, Tokyo ©Yutaka Sakano ">

Ryogoku Bridge

Kokugikan Sumo Hall
The current Kokugikan was completed in January 1985. In addition to being the venue for three regular events per year (January, May, and September), it is also used for various events. Sumida Ward, Tokyo ©Yutaka Sakano ">

Kokugikan Sumo Hall

Ryogoku River Opening
During the Edo period, the first event to enjoy the cool weather on the Sumida River was held on May 28th (lunar calendar). Fireworks were set off near the Ryogoku Bridge, and the area was bustling with spectators and boat rides. "Ryogoku Bridge River Opening" ( Owned by the National Diet Library )

Ryogoku River Opening

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

東京都墨田区(すみだく)南西端、隅田川(すみだがわ)左岸の一地区。かつては両国橋の両側をいい、右岸の中央区側にも両国の名があったが、1971年（昭和46）東日本橋と町名変更された。北隣の横網との境に、かつて総武線の玄関口としてにぎわったJRの両国駅があり、横網の南東端、清澄通り沿いには都営地下鉄大江戸線の両国駅がある。両国橋は明暦(めいれき)の大火（1657）後架橋され、左岸の本所(ほんじょ)がかつて下総(しもうさ)国に含まれたため、武蔵(むさし)・下総両国を結んだことが橋名となり、地名はこの橋に由来する。見世物・芝居小屋、茶店などでにぎわった両国広小路は、両国橋の西詰で、現在の中央区東日本橋北部にあたる。墨田区側は東両国、向両国ともよばれた。東詰には、明暦の大火の死者を葬った回向院(えこういん)があり、江戸後期しばしば境内で勧進相撲(かんじんずもう)が行われ、1909年（明治42）国技館が建設された。現在の国技館は1985年（昭和60）、蔵前から両国駅北側に移設されたもの。なお両国は隅田川の花火でも知られ、旧暦5月28日の川開きは見物客と納涼船がひしめき、「玉屋」「鍵(かぎ)屋」の掛け声とともに華やかに夜空を飾った。一時中止されたが、現在の隅田川花火大会は、上流に移って行われている。

［菊池万雄］

両国橋
スマートな形状のゲルバー桁橋。最初の架橋は1659年（万治2）で、錦絵などに多く描かれた。隅田川で2番目に古い歴史をもつ。1932年（昭和7）完成。全長164.5m。東京都中央区・墨田区©Yutaka Sakano">

両国橋

国技館

両国川開き
江戸時代、隅田川の納涼始めの行事は5月28日（陰暦）に行われた。両国橋付近では、花火が打ち上げられ、見物客と納涼船でにぎわった。『両国橋川開きの図』国立国会図書館所蔵">

両国川開き

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