猫又橋 親柱の袖石

What lurks beneath our feet often tells a tale more intriguing than what stands above. Here at the Nekomata-bashi Bridge Abutment Stone, a silent sentinel whispers stories of a vanished Tokyo. The Nekomata-bashi Bridge Abutment Stone isn’t just a stone. It’s a portal to a past where a wooden bridge, called “Nekodake Hip Bridge” or “Root Foot Bridge,” stood. This simple structure, built from tree roots, arched over the Senkawa River, a waterway now hidden beneath the city streets. The Nekomata-bashi Bridge held a special place in Edo-era lore, whispered about for the apparition of a red-towel-clad figure dancing across it at night. One night, a young monk, startled by a white beast chasing through the grasses near the bridge, cried out. The fleeing animal resembled a nekomata, a mythical cat-like monster. From that moment on, the bridge became known as Nekomata-bashi, “Cat Monster Bridge”. The original Nekomata-bashi Bridge was replaced in March 1918 with a sturdy concrete structure. But the Senkawa River, prone to flooding, had other plans. In 1934, the river was diverted underground, its former course paved over. The concrete Nekomata-bashi Bridge, now redundant, met its end. Yet, a key piece survived. Mr. Toranosuke Ichikawa, recognizing its historical significance, negotiated with Tokyo City to preserve the bridge’s abutment stone and two of its supporting stones. He moved them to his home, saving a tangible link to the past. Here before you sits one of those rescued stones, inscribed with a poem by Ichikawa himself, a testament to the vanished bridge. It serves as a poignant reminder of a time when a simple root bridge sparked tales of dancing figures and mythical beasts. The Nekomata-bashi Bridge Abutment Stone offers us a glimpse into Tokyo’s rich past, a reminder that even in a city constantly reinventing itself, echoes of the past remain.