The Bitter End

Art of the Edo Period

The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido

18. Ejiri-juku (Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka)

Ejiri-juku

Ejiri-juku was the eighteenth of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido. It is one of four former post stations located in what is now part of the Shimizu-ku area of Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It was 3.4 kilometers from Okitsu-juku, the preceding post station.

History

Ejiri-juku was Ejiri Castle's castle town. The castle was built in 1570, but Ejiri-juku was not officially designated a post station until the early 17th century. At its peak, it had two honjin, three sub-honjin and 50 hatago, among the 1,340 total buildings. Its population was around 6,500. Ejiri-juku gave its name to the area's railway station, until it was renamed Shimizu Station in 1934.

The classic ukiyoe print by Ando Hiroshige (Hoeido edition) from 1831-1834 depicts a view over the Miho no Matsubara with boats anchored in the foreground in front of a fishing village, with others sailing in Suruga Bay.