One Hundred Famous Views of Edo No.57Three forked river and the parting depths of two kinds of water

The Sumida River conveyed sand from upstream, depositing it farther down the river on the right-hand bank where the river turned just before flowing into Edo Bay. At the same point where the sand was deposited, a stream branched off the river, flowed close to the centre of Edo city and eventually entered into Edo Bay.
The stream created a pattern of three prongs, and thus the area was known as Mitsumata, meaning “three-forked river”.
Mitsumata was also where the salty seawater from Edo Bay flowed into the fresh water of the Sumida River. It was popularly believed that one could distinguish the salty water from the fresh water at this point because the salty water parted (“wakareru”) from the fresh water in these depths (“fuchi”). Accordingly, this area was called Wakare no Fuchi, meaning “parting depths of two kinds of water”, and thus was known to local people either as Mitsumata or Wakare no Fuchi. The depth of the water at this point is indicated by the use of the famous dark color known as “Hiroshige blue”.
The build-up of sand was located at an estuary of the Sumida River and was strategically important for guarding Edo city. On these grounds, the Tokugawa shogunate prohibited townsmen from building houses on the sand. Only feudal lords’ mansions were permitted to be built.
There is a heavy flow of traffic at the mouth of the river, as is shown in the foreground of this print. The boats are laden with goods being transported to and from Edo city. On the other side of the river is the stream that branches, leading to the centre of the city through the canals. On the right bank of the river are seen two guardhouses standing by the bridges. Guardsmen there inspected boats entering through canals to the heart of the city. In the far distance, Mt. Fuji stands dominantly above the mountain ranges against a red sky, indicating that it is sunset. The fact that Mt. Fuji has very little snow on its peak also indicates that it is summer.
Mitsumata was one of the best scenic spots in Edo city, where one could enjoy on board a boat the full moon on August 15th (the harvest moon).
( Written by Teruaki Hori )