ROADS IN JAPAN OF TOKUGAWA AND MEIJI PERIODS

In: Journal of the Institute of Oriental Studies RAS, Heft 1 (19), S. 113-118

Abstract

The article covers socio-economic and cultural-domestic peculiarities of land transport routs functioning in Japan for more than three hundred years. In ancient times the development features of Japanese railroads were determined primarily by natural geographic factors. Early feudal period roads were used to transmit information, to deliver taxes, to transport people and goods, as well as for the transportation of troops purposes. Pilgrimage to holy places and annual trips of big feudal lords, accompanied by servants and cargo and heading to the supreme ruler in Edo added to these functions in the Tokugawa period. At those times journey along the Japanese five main roads (Gokaido) was not only rather a reliable means of commujnication, but also kind of fascinating. Roadside postal stations remained in Japanese national consciousness as exiting places of interest. Travel served as an escape from the heavy life of Japanese people, full of conventionalities, strict duties and regulations, transferring them to pleasant reflections and entertainment. In the Tokugawa era travelling was a long and rather unproductive occupation; its philosophy corresponded to the general logic and culture of that time. The railroads of Meiji epoch brought new dimensions to life, customs and culture of the Japanese. They created favourable conditions, removing the mental obstacles in mastering high European standards and way of life. As soon as railway traffic had been established, the united time scheme starts to be used in all the country, which was a novelty. The unified time contributed not only to the precision of the railway traffic, but accustomed people to more dynamism and rhythm of business life. This measure created one of the numerous conditions for the success of industrialization, modernization, and westernization of the country.