The Great Fire of Meireki: Edo's Fiery Catastrophe
In 1657, a single spark turned Japan’s capital into an inferno. Discover how the Great Fire of Meireki reshaped Edo (modern-day Tokyo), left thousands homeless, and even changed how cities were built. This isn’t just history—it’s a firestorm of drama, disaster, and a surprising twist involving a kimono. Let’s dive into the flames! #HistoryTok #EdoJapan #GreatFireOfMeireki #UrbanPlanning #WeirdHistory
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Imagine a city so packed, even sardines would complain.
That was Edo in 1657—wooden houses, narrow streets, and zero fire codes.
Then came the Great Fire of Meireki.
It started with a temple ritual gone wrong and spread like gossip at a tea house.
Within three days, most of the city was ash.
Talk about a hot mess.
The fire reportedly began when a kimono, cursed with bad luck, was burned at a temple.
Yes, a haunted kimono.
That’s how legends go.
Whether true or not, the fire spread fast thanks to strong winds and flammable everything.
Edo’s fire brigades?
Brave, but outmatched.
They fought with buckets and prayers.
Spoiler: prayers weren’t very flame-retardant.
By the time the fire died out, over 100,000 people were dead.
That’s not a typo.
Entire districts vanished.
The shogunate had to rebuild from scratch, and they didn’t just slap on new paint.
They widened streets, added firebreaks, and moved temples.
Basically, Edo got a full urban makeover—fire edition.
Tragic, but also the start of smarter city planning.
The Great Fire of Meireki wasn’t just a disaster—it was a turning point.
It exposed the dangers of rapid urban growth and poor planning.
And while Edo rose from the ashes, the memory of that cursed kimono still lingers.
Moral of the story?
Don’t mess with haunted fashion.
Or maybe just invest in fire insurance.
