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2019.10.15

“Tokyo Review 044″ Ueno area-7 Horse Racing around Ueno Shinobazu Pond

“Tokyo Review 044” Ueno area-7
Horse Racing around Ueno Shinobazu Pond

Shinobazu Pond, one of the symbols of Ueno which is quietly watering at the foot of Ueno Hill has been called by this name since the 15th century. Originally, it was a cove where old Shakujii River was flowing out to the lowland along the sea after passing between the Hongo Plateaus and the Ueno Plateaus. The pond at that time was filled with river water and was inhabited by natural eels. Certainly, there is a long-established eel restaurant near the pond. Were they serving the eels they caught here?

I was surprised to know the fact that horse racing events took place around Shinobazu Pond. In 1884, the Japanese Government was promoting “Europeanizing policy”, and in response to this movement, the upper class people living in Tokyo heard that the horse races were social meeting places for the noble people in the UK. Expectations for holding horse races rose and the Union Race Club was founded. They reclaimed some parts of the pond and built the horse race track, and the races had been held twice a year (spring and autumn) till 1892. Noble families, senior government officials, senior officers and business people had enjoyed them and the Emperor of Meiji also appeared there 13 times.

The shape of the pond changed from time to time. The fresh water island in the middle of the pond named “Benten-jima” was built by Master Tenkai who had founded Kan’ei-ji. He made Shinobazu Pond look like Lake Biwa near Hieizan. In 1907, in preparation for the Tokyo Industrial Expo, Kangetsu Bridge (Moon Viewing Bridge) was built from Bentenjima to the west, making it possible to cross the center of the pond. In 1929, the Bridge was removed and a bow shaped cherry tree-lined promenade was constructed. The pond was divided into four parts, almost the same as the current shape. Lotus flowers attracted many people in July and August every year, and around the observing corridor, there used to be Hasu-Mi-Chaya (Tea house where you can enjoy observing lotus flowers) in the Edo period.

The main stand to see the horse race seems to have been near the current Flamingo house in the Ueno Zoo West Garden. This pond also had been watching the culture of Ueno in each era.

 

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