One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.23Chiyogaike Pond at Meguro

Yodobashi terrace at the eastern edge of Musashino Plateau was triangular in shape and 30 to 40 metres above sea level.
The south-southwestern slope of the terrace, skirted by the Meguro River, abounded in springs from which gushed plenty of water. A point called Chiyogasaki was on a steep slope of the terrace. The mansion of a lord standing on it commanded beautiful scenery comprising the Meguro River below, paddy fields in the lowland and Mt. Fuji in the distance. In the garden were planted pine trees and apricot trees, and there was a spring whose water flowed like a waterfall and emptied into a pond situated in a hollow. This body of water became known as Chiyogaike pond.
During the Namboku-cho period (1336 – 1392), a warlord named Yoshioki Nitta, who fought against another warlord, Takauji Ashikaga, was ambushed and killed by the enemy at the Tamagawa River. Having heard the sad news, his lover Chiyo mourned his death so deeply that she committed suicide by throwing herself into the pond. The name Chiyogaike was derived from this incident.
Hiroshige has depicted the spring, waterfall and pond, and at the top of the hill is a pine grove. Cherry trees and a cedar tree are on the slope. The trees can be seen reflected in the pond, a rare technique used by Hiroshige.
As was usual for a place of such great natural beauty, a large number of cherry trees were planted, and when the blossoms were at their height the place attracted many people.
There is a small island in the pond which is connected to the shore by a wooden bridge. Visitors could have a good view of the waterfall and surrounding cherry trees in full bloom. Beyond the trees they were able to gaze at the pine grove atop the hill.