Curious about a school with a story? I’m talking about Honjo High School. This school isn’t just any ordinary high school. It carries a legacy within Tokyo.
Honjo High School sits in Sumida. Honjo was once a ward in Tokyo. In 1947, Honjo merged with Mukojima. Together, they formed the Sumida ward we know today. The name Honjo might come from the shōden system. This dates back to the Kyōdō period.
Back then, the Sumida River separated Honjo from central Tokyo. The Ryōgoku Bridge connected Honjo to Edo in the 17th century. Honjo was known for frequent flooding. This made it an affordable area for workers. Many factories and laborers called Honjo home. It was a working-class neighborhood.
Honjo’s population boomed. In 1905, it had 162,159 residents. By 1917, that number jumped to 247,533. The population density was over 100,000 people per square mile. Yasuda Zenjirō also lived in Honjo. He was one of Japan’s wealthiest men.
The Great Kantō earthquake hit Honjo hard in 1923. A fire near Ryōgoku Station killed many residents. This station was being converted into a park. Thousands of gas burners were in use for midday meals when the earthquake struck. After the quake, only a third of the population remained.
Honjo High School shares its name with this area. The school stands as a reminder of Honjo’s rich history. It connects to the past. It looks toward the future.
Today, Honjo High School continues to educate students. It stands in a neighborhood with a story. This neighborhood has overcome challenges. It has grown. It has changed. Honjo High School is part of that story. It is a place of learning. It is a symbol of resilience.