About
In a corner of Yaesu, not far from Tokyo Station, in a place where bustle and tranquility intersect, there stands quietly a stone pillar. This is known as the “Ishikibashi Lost Child Notification Stone Marker,” a precious relic that conveys the atmosphere of the Edo period to the present day.
This stone marker was erected in Ansei 4 (1857). At that time, this area was bustling with people coming and going, and cases of lost children or missing persons were unending. The earnest wishes of parents searching for their children, and children seeking their parents, were entrusted to this stone marker.
On the front of the stone marker is inscribed “Guide for Lost Children,” on the right side “For Those Who Inform,” and on the left side “For Those Who Seek.” At the top of each side is a small recess with an eave, where papers with information about lost or missing persons were posted. Passersby would look at these, and if they had any relevant information, they would provide it, thus helping to reunite lost children with their families.
This stone marker symbolizes the warm consideration and mutual aid spirit of the people of Edo. In an era without modern means of communication, such stone markers became vital points for information exchange, connecting many families.
As time has passed, the surrounding scenery has changed greatly, but this stone marker still quietly conveys the feelings of the people from that time. If you pause for a moment and look at this stone marker amid the city’s hustle and bustle, the atmosphere and compassion of Edo seep into your heart.
The Ishikibashi Lost Child Notification Stone Marker is not just a stone pillar. It is a warm message that conveys the bonds between people across generations.