History of Japan Episode 564 - You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party, Part 3
Feb 7, 2025
Explore the gritty world of youth gangs in Edo, where daily life was colored by violence and revelry. Discover the historical significance of Senso-ji Temple, a hub for culture and economy since the 7th century. Light-hearted brawls often erupted during festivals, influenced by alcohol-fueled excitement. Learn about the Sanja Matsuri, a vibrant celebration that uniquely showcases the temple's continuing cultural impact amid the chaos of young men's antics.
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The 1753 Sanja Festival Brawl
- During the 1753 Sanja Festival, a brawl erupted over the Mikoshi's route.
- The fight, documented in the Sensō-ji temple records, was over access to divine blessings and prestige.
Shogunate's View on Commoner Disputes
- The shogunate had a hands-off approach to commoner disputes, viewing them as equally responsible.
- Their main concern was preventing significant damage, not regulating individual fights.
The Rise of Youth Gangs
- By the 1790s, young men in Sensō-ji's founding quarters formed gangs around the Sanja Festival.
- They used their Mikoshi-bearer status for extortion and violence, targeting uncooperative merchants.