Historical Studies on the parks Founded by DAJOKAN'S Decree

Abstract

The development of municipal parks in Japan commenced in 1873, when the Decree of DajOkan (the Central Government) for establishing parks as recreational place was published. It can be easily imaged that the new government was terribly rushed with a great many difficulties both in domestic and diplomatic fields and could not afford to be deeply concerned in such a “trivial” matter as recreaton for people. Consequently, it is natural to recognize some alien influences, direct or indirect, upon the preparation of the said Decree.The Decree called forth echoes all over the country and numerous parks were born in a mere ten years. Most of them, however, were based on traditional recreation places having scenic deauty and on grounds of shrines and temples or changed from castle sites. And there were some cases that could not obtain wide favor among people owing to being far from the urban area.