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

34Nihonbashi Bridge

The wooden Nihonbashi Bridge of the Edo period had a tall arch, and views from the middle of the bridge were excellent. The large, black ornamental railing decorations atop the main pillars indicated the high status of the bridge, which was managed directly by the shogunate and was the starting point for all of the five major highways. Kyōbaashi Bridge and Shinbashi Bridge also had such ornaments that indicated a similar status.