台東区西浅草の寺町の変遷

Abstract

This study uses historical maps and data to research the Buddhist temple area in Nishi-Asakusa. The temple and graveyard areas of the Edo, Meiji periods and the present day are layered on a map, and the overlapping images are analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the following findings are observed:1. According to the Gofunai-Jisha-Bikou, 90 temples existed in this area in the early 18th century.2. A comparison between the Kanei-Edo and the Meireki-Edo maps, indicates that the temple area in Nishi-Asakusa greatly expanded after the Great Fire of Meireki.3. Almost all temples were moved from Edo's central area during the Edo Castle expansion and the reconstruction following the Great Fire of Meireki.4. In the Meiji and Taisho periods, each temple area had six types of resistered holders: (a). the temple's precincts, (b). government precincts, (c). personal precincts, (d). the temple's graveyard, (e). government graveyards, and (f). personal graveyards. 5. Of 90 temples, 47 were still existent in this area in 2010.