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==The "Five Highways"==

==The "Five Highways"==

The chief roadways of the [[Edo period]] were the so-called ''Gokaidô'' 五街道, or "Five Highways." These included four major highways which started at [[Nihonbashi]] in [[Edo]] (modern Tokyo), one more which branched off of these, and eight auxiliary roads.

The chief roadways of the [[Edo period]] were the so-called ''Gokaidô'' 五街道, or "Five Highways." These included four major highways which started at [[Nihonbashi]] in [[Edo]] (modern Tokyo), one more which branched off of these, and eight auxiliary roads. Even where highways ran through a ''daimyô's'' domain, they fell under the jurisdiction of the shogunate.<ref>Luke Roberts, ''Mercantilism in a Japanese Domain: The Merchant Origins of Economic Nationalism in 18th-Century Tosa'', Cambridge University Press (2002), 17n37.</ref>

Some records indicate that many sections of the road were quite well-maintained. Ditches running along the sides of the roads were maintained to help drain off water, sand was spread over the roads when they were wet, and in hot, dusty weather, water sprayed to settle the dust. In certain sections in the mountains, stones were carefully placed to help increase traction and prevent mudslides, while also providing for effective drainage. In other sections, rows of trees (often [[cryptomeria]], aka ''sugi'') were planted, providing shade for travelers and helping to prevent erosion. Distance markers were placed one ''[[Japanese measurements|ri]]'' apart along the road, and other markers or signs indicated major junctions. The roads were also commonly swept and cleaned when an important party, such as a daimyô's ''[[sankin kotai|sankin kôtai]]'' procession, or a foreign embassy, was expected to be passing along that section of road.<ref name=gokaido>Constantine Vaporis, "Linking the Realm: The Gokaidô Highway Network in Early Modern Japan," in Susan Alcock et al (eds.) ''Highways Byways and Road Systems in the Pre-Modern World'', Wiley-Blackwell (2012), 90-105.</ref>

Some records indicate that many sections of the road were quite well-maintained. Ditches running along the sides of the roads were maintained to help drain off water, sand was spread over the roads when they were wet, and in hot, dusty weather, water sprayed to settle the dust. In certain sections in the mountains, stones were carefully placed to help increase traction and prevent mudslides, while also providing for effective drainage. In other sections, rows of trees (often [[cryptomeria]], aka ''sugi'') were planted, providing shade for travelers and helping to prevent erosion. Distance markers were placed one ''[[Japanese measurements|ri]]'' apart along the road, and other markers or signs indicated major junctions. The roads were also commonly swept and cleaned when an important party, such as a daimyô's ''[[sankin kotai|sankin kôtai]]'' procession, or a foreign embassy, was expected to be passing along that section of road.<ref name=gokaido>Constantine Vaporis, "Linking the Realm: The Gokaidô Highway Network in Early Modern Japan," in Susan Alcock et al (eds.) ''Highways Byways and Road Systems in the Pre-Modern World'', Wiley-Blackwell (2012), 90-105.</ref>

===Auxiliary Roads===

===Auxiliary Roads===

The eight auxiliary roads counted as part of the Gokaidô ("Five Highways") system were the [[Saya Road]] (''Sayaji''), [[Mino Road]] (''Minoji''), [[Mibu Road]] (''Mibudô''), [[Reiheishido|Reiheishidô]], [[Mito-Sakurado|Mito-Sakura-dô]], [[Nikko onarido|Nikkô onaridô]], [[Honzaka dori|Honzaka dôri]], and [[Yamazaka dori|Yamazaka dôri]].<ref name=gokaido/>  

The eight auxiliary roads counted as part of the Gokaidô ("Five Highways") system were the [[Saya Road]] (''Sayaji''), [[Mino Road]] (''Minoji''), [[Mibu Road]] (''Mibudô''), [[Reiheishido|Reiheishidô]], [[Mito-Sakurado|Mito-Sakura-dô]], [[Nikko onarido|Nikkô onaridô]], [[Honzaka dori|Honzaka dôri]], and [[Yamazaka dori|Yamazaka dôri]].<ref name=gokaido/>

==Other Highways==

==Other Highways==