The term “benchmark” is sometimes used to compare the performance of PCs. But the term “benchmark” originally refers to a level point used in surveying.
The old benchmark was the Kigou benchmark, which was shaped like the Chinese character for “不” in the British way. The top of a small bench was placed on the horizontal line of the benchmark to level it, and a leveling rod was placed on it to survey. That is why it is called a benchmark.
The word “几 (Ki)” means a desk. “号 (Gou)” means a mark, as in the example of a symbol or sign. In other words, “几号 (Kigou)” is the Japanese translation of “benchmark” itself.
Found the Kigou Benchmark!
Today, I decided to walk along Nakasendo.
Nakasendo stretches from Nihonbashi to the north. To make sure I crossed Nihonbashi, I started from Tokyo Station, which is located southwest of Nihonbashi.
When I walked along the Koshu Kaido at the end of the year, I forgot to see the Ikkokubashi lost child information stone marker, so I decided to stop by before going to Nihonbashi.
The name Ikkokubashi (180 liter bridge) is derived from the name of Goto (90 liter) who lived north and south of the bridge respectively. It’s very stylish.
Ikkokubashi lost child information stone marker and the 几号(Kigou) benchmark inscribed on it
This is the lost child information stone marker. It is designated as a tangible cultural property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In the days when there were no means of communication such as cell phones, how anxious people must have been to get lost.
On the left is written, “Mayoi go no shirube (Features of lost child)” and on the right, “Shirasuru kata (Information you know).”
Underneath this “Mayoi go no shirube “, I found the Kigou Benchmark inscribed as “不”!
The Kigou Benchmark was inscribed on something that would remain permanently. I took a picture of it, wondering if they didn’t feel guilty when they inscribed it on a cultural asset.
Nihonbashi
Japan zero kilometer marker
I’ve been to Nihombashi several times, so I just took pictures of the Japan zero kilometer marker and moved on.
Ruins of the Imagawa Bridge
About 700 meters to the north is the site of the Imagawa Bridge.
The city of Edo was covered with canals in every direction. A signboard says, “When traveling from Edo on a highway other than the Tokaido, the first bridge to be crossed after leaving Nihonbashi was the Imagawa Bridge. So what is the Koshu Kaido? Isn’t it a highway because Koshu-Dochu is the official name?
Bouldering Gym
I crossed the Kanda River at the Shoheibashi bridge and found a bouldering gym on the Yushima-zaka slope. I’m tempted to give it a try, but I need to lose some weight first.
Kaneyasu
Kaneyasu is located at the intersection of Hongo Street and Kasuga Street. It used to be a store that sold toothpaste called Nyukosan, and is now a general store. After the great fire of Kyoho 15 (1730), Ooka Echizen allowed the area south of Kaneyasu to be covered with tile roofing. However, the area north of Kaneyasu was left with thatched roofs, which led to the saying, “Hongo is in Edo until Kaneyasu.”
Red Gate of the University of Tokyo
Main Gate of the University of Tokyo
Yayoi Gate of the University of Tokyo
These are the Red Gate, Main Gate, and Yayoi Gate of the University of Tokyo. The University of Tokyo is where the upper residence of the Kaga Maeda family was located. Since this is north of Kaneyasu, does that mean that the Maeda family did not live in Edo? Is that why the university that was established there was called the University of Tokyo instead of Edo University?
Solar arcade in front of Sugamo Station shopping street
I came to Sugamo.
I had heard that the arcade in front of Sugamo Station had solar panels installed to generate electricity. The actual solar panels are facing northeast, which seems to be a little disadvantageous in terms of power generation efficiency. The maximum power output is 28.4 kW, which is enough to power a whole house, but it is effective in protecting the earth’s environment. I really hope that this kind of initiative will spread nationwide.
Walking data
Course: JR Tokaido Line Tokyo Station -> Nihonbashi -> JR Yamanote Line Sugamo Station
Distance: 8.3km
Time: 1h55m
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