Cannon for signaling noon

Name

Cannon for signaling noon (Collection of the former Musashino Folklore Museum)

Period of use

From 1871 to April 1929

Original location

Edo Castle in Chiyoda, Tokyo, where the Imperial Palace now stands

Explain

This replaced a bell that was rung at Edo Castle to announce the time, and was used to fire blanks to tell people when it was noon.

Stone Chamber at Seto-oka No.1

Name

Stone Chamber at Seto-oka No.1 (Collection of the former Musashino Folklore Museum)

Period

Asuka period (late 7th century)

Original location

Akiruno, Tokyo

Explain

This consists of an underground horizontal chamber made from river stones. Unlike most such structures found in Japan, the grave mound is barely visible aboveground.

Kōshin stupa for the repose of souls

Name

Kōshin stupa for the repose of souls (Collection of the former Musashino Folklore Museum)

Period

1700

Explain

Erected by adherents of Kōshin, a folk faith that originated in Taoism, monuments of this type were often erected to commemorate having performed the Kōshin-ko ritual eighteen times over a three-year period. The association between Kōshin and the three wise monkeys is thought to have originated in the late seventeenth century.

Stone measure

Name

Stone measure (Collection of the former Musashino Folklore Museum)

Period

Edo period (1603-1868)

Explain

Cisterns like this formed part of the water supply system in Edo (now Tokyo), and were equipped to remove sand and mud and to cut off or adjust the supply of water. Next to it stands a stone trough that was also used to supply water during the Edo period.

Stone lantern of the Kan’eiji Temple

Name

Stone lantern of the Kan’eiji Temple

Period

June 20, 1751

Original location

Taito, Tokyo

Explain

This was presented to Kan’eiji, funeral temple of the Tokugawas, following the death of the eighth shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune.

Electric light at the front gate of the Imperial Palace

Name

Electric light at the front gate of the Imperial Palace

Period

late 1880s to mid-1890s

Original location

Chiyoda, Tokyo

Explain

One of the six lamps that used to stand on the parapets on each side of a stone bridge at the palace. The pedestal is a replica.

Ueno fire department watch tower upper section

Name

Ueno fire department watch tower upper section

Built in

1925

Original location

Taito, Tokyo

Explain

This is a modern version of the towers from which firefighters used to keep a lookout for fires in Edo. It consists of a four-layered tripodal structure with an exposed gallery running around a central cab, and was originally 23.6 meters tall. It was used until 1970.

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City train model 7500

Name

City train model 7500

Made in

1962

Depots

Aoyama, Yanagishima, and then Arakawa, in Tokyo

Explain

This used to serve the route from Shibuya Station to Shinbashi, Hamacho-nakanohashi, Suda-cho (Kanda), and back again. Streetcars began to disappear from the streets of Tokyo from 1963, but still run on the Arakawa line.

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