Kema-bashi Bridge

Can you imagine a bridge adorned with imitation jewels, sparkling under the gas lamps? That was the Kema-bashi Bridge in Osaka during the Meiji era. This isn’t just any bridge. The Kema-bashi Bridge holds a special place in Osaka’s history, linking not only two sides of the Higashiyokobori River, but also different eras of the city’s past. The name “Kema-bashi” itself echoes back to the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, possibly connected to a “Koma no Murotsumi” that welcomed envoys from the Korean Peninsula. Some believe this area was a hub for trade with Korea, adding another layer of intrigue to the bridge’s story. In the Edo period, Kema-bashi Bridge became even more important. A shogunate bulletin board was placed at its western end, making it a central point for disseminating official news. The bustling Koraibashi-suji, with establishments like the Mitsui Gofukuten (now Mitsukoshi Department Store), further cemented the bridge’s role in Osaka’s vibrant commercial life. The Kema-bashi Bridge wasn’t just a practical structure; it was a symbol of progress. In 1870, it became Osaka’s first iron bridge, imported from England. Its striking black luster under the gas lamps earned it the nickname “Kurogane Bridge,” or “Black Steel Bridge.” Today, the Kema-bashi Bridge you see is a reinforced concrete arch bridge, rebuilt in 1929. But look closely. The imitation jewels on the railings and the pillars, styled after a turret mansion, are a nod to its rich and glamorous past. They whisper stories of ancient envoys, bustling merchants, and a city embracing modernization.