1857, Utagawa Hiroshige, Minowa, Kanasugi, Mikawashima, from 100 Famous Views of Edo [woodblock print] -- Brooklyn Museum

This area outside of town was known to the many people who traveled to and from northeastern Japan, crossing the Sumida River via the bridge shown in the print below. The print above illustrates open fields that served as a crane sanctuary. Cranes were revered as emblems of long life, yet their meat was considered a delicacy. The shogun came here for an annual crane hunt. He sent one bird as a tribute to the emperor in Kyoto and ate the rest.

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