Edo - Tokyo Museum

Tokyo is a city of 10 million or so, located on a swamp that was first settled in a major way in the 1600s or so, though it was founded in 1457.  By 1750 it was the world's largest city, surpassing any in Europe, but already very crowded.  It is said the Japanese value harmony in part because of the need to live so close together for hundreds of years.  It's original name was Edo, but was called Tokyo (Eastern Capital) after the Emperor was restored in 1867.  This new and wonderful museum is split between the early Edo and more modern Tokyo history.

The museum entrance is a giant red escalator - very interesting modern art in a museum covering the last 500 years.

A replica of a bridge from Tokyo's past.

Model of the original bridge and early Edo

Another model of the city scene

Old craftsman home / workshop

Another waterfront model

Woman giving birth with a midwife washing the child afterward; an interesting choice for an exhibit

Kabuki theater

Early factories were run via line shafts turned by water outside

A royal carrier; these are very small !

Early screen of Tokyo, with Fuji beyond

Beautiful replica of a stage

Old art work from the Edo / Tokyo period

The pleasures in life ?  Sakura & Josee (Cherry Blossoms and Women) ?

Later posters, showing off modern conveniences such as a subway.  You'll notice that by then, as now (in cartoons), pictures show western faces.

The museum has a great WWII section - this is a photo after the Americans firebombed the city repeatedly, killing hundreds of thousands of civilians - 100,000 in one night alone, more than in Hiroshima.

A map of the fires in the war, something like 50%+ destroyed.

An unexploded American bomb.

Bombing chart showing raids by US planes

Houses taped their windows to keep them from shattering due to bomb blasts

Am image of shops and houses with taped windows on a random street.

A patriotic poster.