Tokushima history

The city of Tokushima, the capital of the prefecture of the same name on Shikoku Island, boasts a rich history closely tied to samurai clans and flourishing trade. Its development is a vivid example of how geographical location and political will shape a region's unique cultural and economic character.

The founding of the city in its modern sense began in 1585. It was then that the daimyo (feudal lord) Hachisuka Iemasa arrived in this area by order of Japan's unifier, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He established Tokushima Castle, which became the administrative and military centre of the Awa Province (the old name for Tokushima). A town gradually grew around the castle, becoming the capital of the prosperous Tokushima Domain, ruled by the Hachisuka clan throughout the Edo period (1603–1868).

Tokushima's prosperity was driven by several important factors:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated in the delta of the Yoshino River, which provided fertile land for agriculture and convenient waterways for transporting goods.
• Political Stability: The long rule of the Hachisuka clan guaranteed peace and order, fostering economic growth and cultural development.
• Indigo Trade: The Awa region became the primary centre for the production of natural indigo dye (ai). This valuable commodity, known throughout Japan, brought immense wealth to the Hachisuka clan and local merchants, turning Tokushima into one of the richest cities in the country.

Economic success and unique traditions shaped Tokushima's distinctive culture. Its most famous manifestation is the Awa Odori dance festival. It is believed that its history began with a celebration marking the completion of the castle's construction. Over time, it evolved into a grand annual festival known as the "Fool's Dance," featuring thousands of performers and attracting over a million spectators. This festival, which originated more than 400 years ago, remains a vital part of the cultural heritage of the city and all of Japan today.

Key Milestones in the History of Tokushima

The history of Tokushima is a journey from a feudal castle town to a modern administrative and cultural hub. The city has experienced eras of prosperity through trade, devastating events, and periods of rapid recovery, all while preserving its unique identity.

• 1585-1586 — By order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, daimyo Hachisuka Iemasa establishes Tokushima Castle, around which the city begins to form.
• 1603-1868 (Edo Period) — The city flourishes as the capital of the Tokushima Domain under the rule of the Hachisuka clan, becoming the country's largest centre for indigo dye production.
• 1873 — As part of the Meiji Restoration, most of the structures of Tokushima Castle were dismantled following a government decree on the destruction of castles.
• 1 October 1889 — Tokushima officially receives city status, becoming one of the first in Japan to do so.
• 4 July 1945 — The city undergoes massive bombing by the US Air Force during World War II, resulting in widespread destruction and casualties.
• 1972 — Tokushima actively develops as an industrial centre, with operations in the chemical, metallurgical, and engineering sectors.
• 8 June 1985 — The Onaruto Bridge opens, connecting Shikoku Island with Awaji Island and becoming a vital transport artery.
• 1989 — To commemorate the 100th anniversary of city status, the main gate of Tokushima Castle — the Eagle Gate (Washinomon), destroyed during the war — is reconstructed.
• 5 April 1998 — The opening of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world, finally links Tokushima and the entire island of Shikoku with Japan's main island of Honshu, boosting the economy and tourism.

Main Stages of City Development

The history of Tokushima is a clear example of how a city can transform, traversing the path from a feudal fortress to a modern economic and cultural centre. Key transformations were linked to both economic successes and large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Founding of the Castle Town (1585): The establishment of Tokushima Castle by the order of ruler Hachisuka Iemasa became the starting point for urban planning. This event turned scattered settlements into a unified political and military centre, around which the urban structure began to take shape.
• "Indigo Boom" in the Edo Period (17th–19th centuries): The city's economic foundation was laid thanks to the production of natural indigo dye (ai). Tokushima became the main hub of this industry in Japan, bringing immense wealth to the region, fostering the development of the merchant class, and shaping a unique culture, the brightest expression of which is the world-famous Awa Odori dance festival.
• Acquiring City Status (1889): This legal act marked the transition from a feudal system to a modern administrative model. Tokushima became one of the first cities in Japan with official status, laying the groundwork for new municipal governance and planning.
• Post-War Industrialisation (after 1945): Following significant destruction during World War II, the city was completely rebuilt. This period became a turning point in the economy: traditional crafts were replaced by modern industries such as chemicals, metallurgy, and engineering, defining a new vector for Tokushima's development.
• Construction of the Bridge System (1985–1998): The opening of the Onaruto bridge and, in particular, the Akashi Kaikyo — the world's longest suspension bridge at the time — was a true revolution for the city. These structures connected the isolated island of Shikoku with the main island of Honshu, integrating Tokushima into the national transport network and providing a powerful impetus for trade, logistics, and tourism.
• Tourism Development Based on Cultural Heritage: In the modern era, the city has banked on its unique history. The reconstruction of historical sites and the active promotion of the Awa Odori festival, which attracts over a million tourists annually, have turned cultural heritage into a significant economic asset for Tokushima.

The architectural appearance of Tokushima is a story of transformation from a traditional castle town to a modern industrial centre, where wood and paper have been replaced by concrete and steel. The key event that divided the city's history into "before" and "after" was World War II.

Edo Period (1603–1868): The Castle Town

Like many Japanese cities, Tokushima grew around Tokushima Castle, founded in 1585. The architecture of this period was predominantly wooden. The city consisted of samurai residence districts and merchant quarters, whose wealth grew thanks to the indigo dye trade. Townspeople's houses (minka) and noble estates were built in the traditional Japanese style with sliding shoji doors and characteristic tiled roofs. Today, only the reconstructed Washinomon Gate and the garden on the former castle grounds remind us of that time.

Meiji Era and Pre-War Period (1868–1945): First Changes

With the onset of Japan's modernisation, Western influences began to appear in architecture. Buildings made of brick and stone in the European style began to be constructed in cities, mainly for administrative and industrial needs. However, as in most Japanese cities of that time, the main buildings of Tokushima remained wooden. In 1873, by government decree, most of the structures of Tokushima Castle were dismantled, marking the first significant change in the urban landscape.

Post-War Recovery and Modernism (after 1945)

The bombing on 4 July 1945 almost completely destroyed the historical buildings of Tokushima. Post-war reconstruction followed the path of Japanese modernism, characterised by functionality, the use of reinforced concrete, and strict geometric forms. Instead of the narrow streets of the feudal city, a new, more rational urban grid was created.

• Main Materials: Concrete and steel, driven not only by modern trends but also by seismic resistance requirements.
• Style: Functional architecture devoid of excess, typical of Japan's rapidly growing industrial centres of that time.
• Landmarks: Instead of historical buildings, the look of modern Tokushima is defined by engineering structures — bridges across the city's numerous rivers and canals, as well as the grandiose Onaruto and Akashi Kaikyo bridges, connecting Shikoku Island with the main part of Japan.

Today, Tokushima is predominantly a modern city where historical heritage is preserved more in cultural traditions, such as the Awa Odori festival, than in architecture.

Notable Figures Associated with Tokushima

Throughout its history, the city of Tokushima and the prefecture of the same name have been the birthplace of many talented and influential people who have left a significant mark on Japan's politics, culture, science, and art.

Hachisuka Iemasa (1558–1639)

• Role: Daimyo (feudal lord), founder of the city.
• Significance: In 1585, he established Tokushima Castle, around which the city grew. His clan ruled the Tokushima Domain throughout the Edo period, laying the economic and cultural foundations of the region. It is believed that the celebration marking the completion of the castle's construction gave rise to the famous Awa Odori dance festival.

Torii Ryuzo (1870–1953)

• Role: Anthropologist and archaeologist.
• Significance: A pioneer of Japanese anthropology and a native of Tokushima. He conducted groundbreaking field research in East Asia, including Taiwan, Manchuria, and the Kuril Islands, making a huge contribution to the study of the cultures and history of these regions. His work helped shape modern Japanese archaeological science.

Setouchi Jakucho (1922–2021)

• Role: Writer, Buddhist nun, social activist.
• Significance: Born in the city of Tokushima. She is one of the most prolific and widely read writers in modern Japan, authoring over 400 works. Over her long career, she was awarded numerous prestigious literary prizes, as well as Japan's highest cultural honour — the Order of Culture in 2006. Her modern translation of the classic novel "The Tale of Genji" is widely renowned.

Angela Aki (born 1977)

• Role: Singer, songwriter, pianist.
• Significance: Although Angela Aki was born in the town of Itano (Tokushima Prefecture), her work has received nationwide and international acclaim. She is known for her unique style combining elements of pop music and classical piano playing. Her song "Tegami (Haikei Jūgo no Kimi e)" became a hit and an unofficial anthem for many Japanese schoolchildren.

Kenshi Yonezu (born 1991)

• Role: Musician, singer, songwriter, illustrator.
• Significance: A native of Tokushima, Kenshi Yonezu is one of the most influential and commercially successful musicians of his generation in Japan. Starting his career creating music on the Vocaloid platform under the pseudonym Hachi, he achieved immense success after debuting under his own name. His single "Lemon" (2018) became an international hit and one of the best-selling singles in the history of Japanese music.