One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.52Paulownia Tree Field at Akasaka

The water in the pond depicted here originally collected on a terrace to the east and flowed into the lowland between Akasaka and Toranomon.
For many years, it was feared that when it rained heavily the area surrounding the stream might flood, so a faithful lord to Iyeyasu Tokugawa built a dam close to Toranomon to turn the stream into a pond. The pond, called tameike (“pond which collects water”), also served as an outer moat which would guard Edo castle from an attack by enemies. In later years it was used to supply water to Edo citizens living to the south.
A great number of carp and other fish lived in the pond but it was forbidden to catch them. Many lotus flowers grew on the water, and the pond was one of the more popular spots for Edo people to view lotus flowers, especially when they were in full bloom.
On the southwest bank of the pond, many “kiri” (paulownia) trees were planted to reinforce the bank and the area was called “kiri field”.. The paulownia tree has unusually large leaves and its flowers bloom in late spring.
On the hill on the pooposite side of the pond stood Sanno Shrine, famous for its bright festivals (see No. 51), as well as other temples and lords’ residences.
The pond at this point was so wide that people in a hurry had to cross by boat, rather than walk around, as was the usual practice.
The composition of this print showing two close-up trees in the foreground and distant scenery glimpsed through the two trees was copied by a few French Impressionist painters in their works.