Hikeshi

• Japanese:火消し(Hikeshi)

Firefighters in Edo period.

Hôsho Bikeshi

• Hôsho Bikeshi (奉書火消し) was established by Shogun Iemitsu in 1629.

Daimyô Bikeshi

• 1643, Iemitsu appointed 16 Daimyô to form firefighter units "Daimyô Bikeshi"(大名火消し). However the Hikeshi only worked for protecting Edo castle, Daimyô mansions and Samurai houses.

Jô Bikeshi

• Shogun Ietsuna ordered 4 Hatamoto to form firefighter units "Jô Bikeshi" (定火消し) after Great Meireki Fire in 1657. They set fire stations in Iidabashi, Ichigaya, Ochanomizu, and Koujimachi.

Machi Bikeshi

• Shogun Yoshimune ordered Ooka Tadasuke to install Chônin's Hikeshi "Machi Bikeshi"(町火消し) in 1718. I-ro-ha 48 units and Honjo-Fukagawa 16 units were formed in 1720.

References

• Oedo Happyaku Yacho (大江戸八百八町) Tokyo Edo Museum.
• Tokyo Fire Department