Suzugamori execution grounds

The nihongo|Suzugamori execution grounds|鈴ヶ森刑場|Suzugamori keijō were one of the three sites in the vicinity of Edo (the forerunner of present-day Tokyo, Japan) where the Tokugawa shogunate executed criminals in the Edo period. The grounds were established in 1651 and operated until 1871. During this 220 year time period, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people were executed at Suzugamori.

The site measured about 75×16 m. It was located along the Tōkaidō near the entrance to Edo. 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.)

The site is 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.

ources

This article incorporates material from 鈴ヶ森刑場 ("Suzugamori keijō") in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved December 13, 2007.

External links

* [http://lib.city.shinagawa.tokyo.jp/refer_ex.html Shinagawa City Library]
* [http://osaka.yomiuri.co.jp/koimono/km60926a.htm Yomiuri Shimbun article]