DOCUMENT ONE: The Tokugawa shogunate realized the importance of maintaining contact with distant provinces within Japan. The Tokaido was the most important highway. Perhaps the most crucial use of the road was for government communication with the provinces. Official messengers traveled by foot, horseback (in wartime), and palanquin (a seat, usually for the wealthy, carried by other people). The government used a system of relays for messengers, with reliefs at every seven li (3.9 km). Government messengers had priority over any other type of traveler. They had first access to ferries at river crossings along the way, and could freely pass government road barriers at all times of the day or night. Private citizens were not allowed to travel at night; a series of barriers and checkpoints along the road kept them from doing so... Relay Station: Hoelido 53 Here, a man is riding a “fast palanquin," gripping a strap for fear of falling off. The bearers of these palanquins would change at the relay station, but the rider transmitting the message would endure the grueling ride until he reached his destination and could transmit his secret message in person. 水活草津

DOCUMENT ONE: The Tokugawa shogunate realized the importance of maintaining contact with distant provinces within Japan. The Tokaido was the most important highway. Perhaps the most crucial use of the road was for government communication with the provinces. Official messengers traveled by foot, horseback (in wartime), and palanquin (a seat, usually for the wealthy, carried by other people). The government used a system of relays for messengers, with reliefs at every seven li (3.9 km). Government messengers had priority over any other type of traveler. They had first access to ferries at river crossings along the way, and could freely pass government road barriers at all times of the day or night. Private citizens were not allowed to travel at night; a series of barriers and checkpoints along the road kept them from doing so... Relay Station: Hoelido 53 Here, a man is riding a “fast palanquin," gripping a strap for fear of falling off. The bearers of these palanquins would change at the relay station, but the rider transmitting the message would endure the grueling ride until he reached his destination and could transmit his secret message in person. 水活草津