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]] A kaidō (Japanese 街道 "road") is an ancient road in , Tokaido , Oshu Kaido , Koshu Kaido and Nikko Kaido . Also Hokuriku Kaido and Nagasaki Kaido were 'kaido'. Many other lesser examples and branch roads are given on the Japanese wikipedia. It does ''not'' include Sanyodo , Sanindo , Nankaido and Saikaido which were part of the even more ancient system of Yamato government called Gokishichido . These names were used for administrative units, and the roads within these units. Many Highway s and Railway lines in modern Japan follow the ancient routes and carry the same names. The early roads radiated from the capital at Nara or Kyoto . Later, Edo was the reference, and even today Japan reckons directions and measures distances along its Highway s from Nihonbashi in Chuo-ku , Tokyo . ]] THE GOKAIDO The five main 'kaido' routes from Nihonbashi in Edo were:
LODGINGS At various times, governments established posts or stations along the roads. These had lodgings for travelers, and grew as commercial centers. The post towns, along with castle and harbor towns, form a major category of cities in Japan. KAIDO IN LITERATURE The kaido figure prominently in Japanese Culture . The poet Matsuo Basho memorialized his travels along the Oshu Kaido (and elsewhere) in the book '' Oku No Hosomichi ''. A set of Woodblock Prints by Hiroshige forms a travelogue of the Tokaido. The Bunraku play ''Kanadehon Chushingura'', the fictionalized account of the true story of the Forty-seven Ronin , has several scenes set along various kaido. Daimyo , making the required Sankin Kotai trip between their Han and Edo, traveled along the kaido, staying at the stations. Woodblock prints show their stately processions. SEE ALSO |
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