Suzugamori execution grounds
The Suzugamori execution grounds (鈴ヶ森刑場 Suzugamori keijō) were one of many sites in the vicinity of Edo (the forerunner of present-day Tokyo, Japan) where the Tokugawa shogunate executed criminals, anti-government conspirators and Christians in the Edo period. Others sites included Shibaguchi, Honzaimokuchou, Itabashi, near the Torigoe Myoujin shrine, in front of Saihouji in Kondobashi, and Kotsukappara.[1] The Suzugamori grounds were established in 1651 and operated until 1871. During this 220 year time period, an estimated 100,000 people were executed at Suzugamori.[2]
The site measured about 74×16.2 meters. It was located along the Tōkaidō near the entrance to Edo. Criminals were executed on the outskirts of the city to avoid the "spiritual pollution" of the city.[3] A memorial is currently located on a triangular piece of land where Kyu-Tokaido Avenue and Dai-Ichi Keihin Route cross, alongside Route 15 (the Number 1 Keihin Expressway) in Minami Ōi, Shinagawa, Tokyo. It is about a ten-minute walk from Ōmori-Kaigan Station on the Keikyū Main Line.[4]
At the time, Suzugamori was on Edo (Tokyo) Bay, and criminals were also executed in the bay. They were suspended upside-down, and drowned when the tide rose.
The first person executed at Suzugamori is thought to have been Marubashi Chūya, a leader of the Keian Uprising. He had already been killed but was drowned as an example to prevent similar uprisings. Other criminals executed at Suzugamori include Ten'ichi-bō and Yaoya Oshichi.
A few remnants are still on the site. Among them are a well, an iron post for execution by burning, and a stone base for erecting wooden pillars for crucifixion. (The stone base has been moved from its original position.)
[edit] References
This article incorporates material from 鈴ヶ森刑場 (Suzugamori keijō) in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved December 13, 2007.
- ^ Botsman, Dani (2005). Punishment and power in the making of modern Japan. Princeton University Press. pp. 20–23. http://books.google.com/books?id=iL6aqGarFugC&dq.
- ^ Nagamura, Kit (October 5, 2007). "All at sea in Shinagawa". The Japan Times Online. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fv20071005kn.html.
- ^ Botsman, Dani (2005). Punishment and power in the making of modern Japan. Princeton University Press. p. 23. http://books.google.com/books?id=iL6aqGarFugC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Suzugamori+execution+grounds&source=bl&ots=6B0FO7Mm7o&sig=wroyAEctSFHascnEkyKN-KaQe1E&hl=en&ei=t8LeS4bVDtGGkAWt-vi_Bw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBwQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Suzugamori%20execution%20grounds&f=false.
- ^ "Why Not Visit One Hundred Scenes of Shinagawa? Part 12 – Minami-Oi and Katsushima Areas". Shinagawa City Office. http://www.merit5.co.jp/gyosei/shinagawa/0607/0607_03.html. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
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