The Bitter End

Art of the Edo Period

The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido

29. Hamamatsu-juku (Naka-ku, Hamamatsu)

Hamamatsu-juku

Hamamatsu-juku was the twenty-ninth of the fifty-three stations (shukuba) of the Tokaido. It is located in what is now Hamamatsu's Naka-ku in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

History

During the Tenpo era (1830-1844), Hamamatsu-juku was located in Hamamatsu Castle's castle town. At the time, there were six honjin and 94 hatago for travelers to use, making it the largest post station in Totomi and Suruga provinces. At the time, it was located on the right bank of the Tenryu River, but, over time, the river's course changed, so the post station is now approximately six kilometers from the river's edge.

The classic ukiyoe print by Ando Hiroshige (Hoeido edition) from 1831-1834 depicts a rural scene with Hamamatsu Castle and the town in the far distance. A group of peasants are warming themselves by a bonfire, with a traveler looking on.