Changes

==Geography==

==Geography==

The city was organized around [[Edo castle]], more formally known as Chiyoda castle, which had been the chief headquarters of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] since [[1590]]. The city overall was organized roughly in a spiral, and in accordance with traditional geomancy. Thirty-two gates controlled access to the city, and different segments of society were restricted, to some extent, to different parts of the city. Sections of the northeastern part of the city were inhabited by shogunal vassals, while many lower-ranking samurai lived in a different area. Parts of the southwestern section of the city were merchant and artisan districts, and within them, townspeople organized themselves to a certain extent according to their trades.

The city was organized around [[Edo castle]], more formally known as Chiyoda castle, which had been the chief headquarters of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] since [[1590]]. The city overall was organized roughly in a spiral, and in accordance with traditional geomancy. Thirty-two gates controlled access to the city, and different segments of society were restricted, to some extent, to different parts of the city. Sections of the northeastern part of the city were inhabited by shogunal vassals, while many lower-ranking samurai lived in a different area. Parts of the southwestern section of the city were merchant and artisan districts, divided into over 300 ''chô'' or ''machi'' within which townspeople (''[[chonin|chônin]]'') were organized, to a certain extent, according to their trades.<ref>Lu, David. ''Japan: A Documentary History''. vol. 1. M.E. Sharpe, 2005. p215.</ref>

The [[Sumidagawa]] (Sumida River) ran along the eastern edge of the city, dividing [[Musashi province]], in which the city sat, from [[Shimousa province]]. The [[Ryogoku Bridge|Ryôgoku Bridge]]<ref>Ryôgoku 両国 literally meaning "both provinces."</ref> took its name from its location spanning the river and connecting these two provinces. Sections of the river were lined with the official storehouses of the shogunate, storing especially goods (mainly rice) collected as taxes, and giving that neighborhood the name Kuramae ("before the storehouses"), a placename which remains in use today.

The [[Sumidagawa]] (Sumida River) ran along the eastern edge of the city, dividing [[Musashi province]], in which the city sat, from [[Shimousa province]]. The [[Ryogoku Bridge|Ryôgoku Bridge]]<ref>Ryôgoku 両国 literally meaning "both provinces."</ref> took its name from its location spanning the river and connecting these two provinces. Sections of the river were lined with the official storehouses of the shogunate, storing especially goods (mainly rice) collected as taxes, and giving that neighborhood the name Kuramae ("before the storehouses"), a placename which remains in use today.