"View of Edo" (Edo zu)

Edo Castle tower (upper middle of first panel, left screen)
The Edo Castle tower looms large in the left screen as if to accentuate Iemitsu's grand enterprises. This tower was the third to be constructed for Edo Castle. It was completed in 1638 (Kan'ei 15). Its height from the base is over 60 meters. During the great Meireki fire of 1657 (Meireki 3), however, the tower was destroyed and never rebuilt again.

Visit of the Korean imperial envoy (lower middle of second panel, left screen)
The Korean imperial envoy visited Japan twelve times during the Edo period. In this painting, the envoy is about to enter the great gate of Edo Castle. During Iemitsu's reign, three envoys came. Later, envoys only arrived for a new shogun's succession ceremony.

Figure who appears to be Iemitsu (upper middle of third panel, right screen)
These screens are thought to describe the life of Iemitsu. Many figures appear to be Iemitsu, but there is no formal portrait of him. How many times does Iemitsu seem to be depicted in these screens?

Kan'eiji Temple (lower middle of fourth panel, right screen)
Like Enryakuji which was situated on Mt. Hiei in order to protect Kyoto, Higashi Eisan Kan'eiji Temple was built at the northeast corner, the so-called "demon gate," of Edo Castle in order to protect it. Kan'eiji Temple, like Zojoji Temple, was a Tokugawa family temple.
Temples and shrines occupied a large part, about 15%, of the city.

Rivers and canals of Edo (lower portions of the second and third panels, left screen)
Many goods shipped to Edo were reloaded onto riverboats at Edo Harbor, then distributed through canals. Surplus goods were stockpiled at designated river banks. Later, this practice was forbidden as it posed a fire hazard. Edo was a city built on the use of waterways.