One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.98Fireworks at Ryogoku

Ryogoku Bridge, depicted in this print, was the second span that the Tokugawa shogunate permitted to be built over the Sumida River, alongside Senju Bridge, in 1660.
Since the bridge connected Musashi province, which comprised Edo city, and Shimosa province situated east of the river, it was called Ryogoku Bashi, literally “two province bridge”. The thriving town of Ryogoku was divided into two and located at both ends of the bridge.
Every year on the evening of the May 28th, fireworks were shot off from boats moored on the river on both sides of the bridge. There were two kinds of fireworks: stationary displays and rockets. They were so magnificent that thousands of people gathered on the bridge, on both banks of the river, on boats, and even on house roofs or drying platforms, to watch the displays. Vending boats threaded their way through pleasure boats selling sliced fruits such as Oriental melon, watermelon and pear.
The firework makers responsible for the display were Tamaya (upstream) and Kagiya (downstream), and both vied with each other to make the most beautiful fireworks. Each time a wonderful and beautiful firework was displayed, onlookers applauded it by shouting either “Tamaya!” or “Kagiya!”.
The displays were originally started on May 28th, 1733, by the 8th shogun, Yoshimune Tokugawa, as a memorial service for people who died of starvation during a nationwide famine and in an epidemic which swept through the country.
It was wished that the fireworks would drive evil diseases out of society. Since then, the display has become an annual event and is held every year on the same day.
The event also marked the opening of the river to commoners, who were allowed by the shogun to ride boats to enjoy the cool evening breezes blowing on the river while holding a banquet.