February 27, 2023
Office of the Governor for Policy Planning

Unveil a website showcasing the wisdom of Edo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is disseminating to the world the concept of “Sustainable High City Tech Tokyo (or “SusHi Tech Tokyo” for short). This is a new concept of creating “sustainable, new value” with cutting-edge technology, diverse ideas, and digital know-how to overcome common challenges big cities around the world face.

SusHi Tech Tokyo special site

We are pleased to unveil, under the concept of SusHi Tech Tokyo, a new website showcasing the legacy of Edo (or present-day Tokyo) that was one of the most populous cities in the world back then. The city of Edo has a great deal of wisdom that is relevant not just today but that will remain so in the future. That’s because the wisdom of Edo includes tips for megacities today to better tackle issues they commonly face. We will introduce these tips in various ways as follows.

1. Website

Website

2. The contents of the website

(1) Decrypt the wisdom of Edo hidden behind a picture scroll of Ukiyo-e

Kidai shoran(熈代勝覧) is a picture scroll that depicted views of daily life seen on Nihonbashi Street, one of the main streets of Edo, at the beginning of the 19th century.
With this picture scroll, you will learn how people in Edo thought out ways to lead their daily life and how the town prospered. By zooming in on the part that you want to look at closely while reading explanations about the people and things drawn in it, you will unveil the life of Edo at that time.

(2) Shed light on the sapience of Edo

The TMG plans to offer you the contents, with which you can have experience of deciphering the sapience of Edo hidden in this picture scroll. The wisdom of Edo will appear as you illuminate the picture scroll with a wonderous lantern. We will let you know the contents of the program once the details are finalized.

(3) Discuss the wisdom of Edo

Based on the themes focusing on broad-ranged, simple icons, let alone this specific work of art, we have had a heated exchange of discussion to delve into the wisdom of Edo, which may offer clues to solve modern-day challenges. To be more specific, we try to elucidate the historical background and discover the tips hidden in each one of the keywords which people, even those who have never come to Tokyo, may have heard, such as “sushi,” the Edo Castle, i.e., a former residence of the shogun, a “noren,” a short curtain hung outside a shop or a restaurant, “sustainability,” and so forth.

3. Date for the website to be made open to the public

From February 27 (Monday), 2023

Inquiries

Policy Research Section, Policy Division, Office of the Governor for Policy Planning Email: S0014801(at)section.metro.tokyo.jp * The above e-mail address has been arranged as an anti-spam measure. Please replace (at) with @.