Waterways of a Changing City

In 19th-century Edo -- as Tokyo was then known -- waterways were crucial. In 1853, 4 US warships sailed into Edo Bay, causing immediate panic. University professor Miyata Hiroaki helps us decipher the clues in ukiyo-e artwork produced at the time. We learn about military training drills, major construction projects, and the contrasting needs of citizens and national security. Analyzing these woodblock prints also offers hints on how to face modern-day issues.