| Number: | 4241 |
| Title: | Great Canal (1) |
| Photographer: | A. Farsari |
| Area: | Osaka |
| Year of performance: | |
| Album: | A. Farsari (album 2) |
| Color: | color |
| Size: | 190x241 |
| Comment: |
| Ebisu-bashi is visible in the centre. It is said that the bridge received this name because it was on the road to Ebisu Shrine in Imamiya. In 1867, the name was changed to "Eisei-bashi" because, in old Japanese, ebisu was a derogatory term for "foreigner." The former name was restored in 1870. Another bridge is visible a short distance downstream, indicating that the photo captures the view to the east from the foot of Ebisu-bashi. The flag of "Maruman" in Soemon-machi is seen to the left. The three-story Maruman was equivalent to a modern-day restaurant hotel or auberge. Maruman also owned the building at the end of the bridge. Kamaboko (boiled fish paste sausage) was produced and sold here. The main store of Maruman, which was famous for uo-suki (fish meat sukiyaki), was located beyond this building, in Dotombori Street. Ebisu-bashi was replaced with an iron bridge in 1878. The legs and stone bases of the bridge look relatively new, indicating that the photo was taken sometime between 1877 and 1887. The gas lantern (petroleum-fueled lantern) at the end of the bridge reveals the prosperity of the town at the time. Teahouses line the left side of the bridge. |