Kidai Shoran (detail) © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst (Asian Art Museum, National Museums in Berlin), former collection of Hans-Joachim and Inge Küster, gift of Manfred Bohms 2002, photography: Tadao Kodaira

14Street-stall teahouse

A teahouse has set up business temporarily in front of some storehouses. In an era when getting something to drink was not easily come by, tea stalls like this were essential in busy places where lots of people were coming and going. The blue and white checkered-pattern of the roof indicated a vendor selling food and drink. Eating out was popular in Edo, and soba, unagi (eel), and tempura were favorite “fast foods” that could be found at street stalls.