Edo Fires Part 2: The Flowers of Edo

During the Edo period, fires in the capital were no joke. Nicknamed the flowers of Edo, about 1,800 fires (amongst which 49 major ones) were recorded between 1601 and 1867. The biggest one, occurring during the Meireki era (in 1657 to be exact), destroyed at least 60% of the city, killing more than 10,000 people. The density of houses and temples made of wood, which used fire stoves and candles, mixed with the not-so-unusual earthquakes, brawls, and accidents, created ideal circumstances for disaster.

In the second year of the Ansei era (1855), an earthquake triggered extensive fire damage (pictured here). It is said that the Ansei years (1854-1860) largely contributed to weakening the power of the shogunate as a series of disasters struck Edo.

Next in the series will be 3 parts on firefighters (groups, style, and techniques).
Watch this space!