Cryptomeria-avenue at Imaichi near Nikko before 1884

This photograph shows the Cryptomeria-avenue at Imaichi near Nikko, and it comes to us via an anonymous photographer. The image’s symbolic power lies in its portrayal of a sacred and historical site. The Cryptomeria trees, towering over the avenue, were planted in the 17th century to honor the Tokugawa shogunate, representing a fusion of natural beauty and political authority. This avenue leads to the Tōshō-gū shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. The avenue’s construction was itself an act of reverence, with feudal lords donating trees as a sign of loyalty and subservience. The image captures not only the avenue's visual grandeur, but also the intricate web of social and political relations that defined Japan during the Edo period. Further research into the Tokugawa shogunate's policies and the socio-economic conditions of the time helps us understand the avenue's significance. By examining historical texts, maps, and other visual representations, we can uncover the complex meanings embedded within this seemingly simple image.