Changes

The same term, ''sando hikyaku'', was also used to refer to an independent network of messengers (i.e. not working directly for the shogunate) who operated commercially in transporting messages and goods along the Tôkaidô, beginning around [[1664]]. These commercial messengers were also known as ''jô bikyaku'' in Edo, and ''junban hikyaku'' in Kyoto, and operated out of roughly 86 establishments in Kyoto and at least nine in Osaka, with branch operations in Edo, and roughly twenty post-stations along the route. A much smaller group of messenger operators, known as ''jôge hikyaku'' (上下飛脚) or ''rokkumi hikyaku'' (六組飛脚) were based in Edo, and specialized in transporting materials for provincial daimyô. The Kyoto/Osaka-based messengers soon expanded their business, establishing routes connecting those cities with [[Tanba province|Tanba]] and [[Harima province]]s, and with major provincial cities such as [[Sendai]], [[Nagasaki]], [[Kanazawa]], and [[Fukui]]. Each company ran on a different schedule, generally sending and receiving messengers three times every ten days; a manager called a ''sairyo'' oversaw operations and took responsibility for the safety of packages.

The same term, ''sando hikyaku'', was also used to refer to an independent network of messengers (i.e. not working directly for the shogunate) who operated commercially in transporting messages and goods along the Tôkaidô, beginning around [[1664]]. These commercial messengers were also known as ''jô bikyaku'' in Edo, and ''junban hikyaku'' in Kyoto, and operated out of roughly 86 establishments in Kyoto and at least nine in Osaka, with branch operations in Edo, and roughly twenty post-stations along the route. A much smaller group of messenger operators, known as ''jôge hikyaku'' (上下飛脚) or ''rokkumi hikyaku'' (六組飛脚) were based in Edo, and specialized in transporting materials for provincial daimyô. The Kyoto/Osaka-based messengers soon expanded their business, establishing routes connecting those cities with [[Tanba province|Tanba]] and [[Harima province]]s, and with major provincial cities such as [[Sendai]], [[Nagasaki]], [[Kanazawa]], and [[Fukui]]. Each company ran on a different schedule, generally sending and receiving messengers three times every ten days; a manager called a ''sairyo'' oversaw operations and took responsibility for the safety of packages.

The shogunate also operated a network of messengers along all five major highways (the [[Highways|Gokaidô]]) called ''tsugi hikyaku'' (継飛脚), to convey official messages to shogunate and daimyô [[han|domains]]. Horses were kept ready at stations called ''tsugitate'', spaced roughly eight kilometers apart, for use by the messengers.

The shogunate also operated a network of messengers along all five major highways (the [[Highways|Gokaidô]]) called ''tsugi hikyaku'' (継飛脚), to convey official messages to shogunate and daimyô [[han|domains]]. These ''tsugi hikyaku'' operated in pairs, traveling together and taking turns carrying whatever luggage or package the shogunate was having sent; after dark, the other messenger would carry a paper lantern to help light the way. These messengers only operated from one post-station to the next, passing the package onto a new pair of messengers, who would then carry it to the next post-station.<ref>Gallery labels, Futagawa honjin shiryokan.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/45579139174/sizes/k/]</ref> Horses were kept ready at stations called ''tsugitate'', spaced roughly eight kilometers apart, for use by the messengers.

Some of the most powerful daimyô maintained their own messenger networks, called ''daimyô hikyaku'' or ''shichi-ri-hikyaku'', as these networks generally had horses ready every seven ''[[ri]]'' (''shichi-ri''). The two most prominent daimyô who maintained such networks were the ''[[Gosanke]]'' Tokugawa branch families based in [[Wakayama castle|Wakayama]] and [[Nagoya castle|Nagoya]]. Messengers in the service of [[Wakayama han]] left Edo on the 5th, 15th, and 25th of each month, and left Wakayama on the 10th, 20th, and 30th.

Some of the most powerful daimyô maintained their own messenger networks, called ''daimyô hikyaku'' or ''shichi-ri-hikyaku'', as these networks generally had horses ready every seven ''[[ri]]'' (''shichi-ri''). The two most prominent daimyô who maintained such networks were the ''[[Gosanke]]'' Tokugawa branch families based in [[Wakayama castle|Wakayama]] and [[Nagoya castle|Nagoya]]. Messengers in the service of [[Wakayama han]] left Edo on the 5th, 15th, and 25th of each month, and left Wakayama on the 10th, 20th, and 30th.