Dezomeshiki (New Year Firefighting Review)

What Is Dezomeshiki?

Dezomeshiki is a firefighting event held in the New Year. According to the Tokyo Fire Department, Tokyo's New Year firefighting review has been held on January 6 since 1953. Its origins go back to 1659, when an event gave hope to the people of Edo, which had been reduced to ashes by the Great Fire of Meireki.

Origins and History of Dezomeshiki

According to the Tokyo Fire Department's article on the history of the New Year review, the event has been passed down as follows.

• January 4, 1659: Following the great fire of 1657, the senior councilor Inaba Iyo-no-kami Masanori led all four units of the jobikeshi (shogunate firefighters) in a "dezome" in front of Ueno Toshogu Shrine to raise their spirits. It is said to have given great hope and confidence to the people of Edo, who were struggling with reconstruction.
• An annual event: After this, the jobikeshi's dezome was held every year on January 4 at Ueno Toshogu Shrine and gradually became a ceremony.
• The town firefighters' "hatsude": The machibikeshi (town firefighters), established in 1718, imitated the dezome in an event they called "hatsude," singing kiyari songs and performing ladder acrobatics on January 4.
• Revival in the Meiji era: On January 4, 1875, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police held its first New Year firefighting review, reviving the event, which had been suspended since the Meiji Restoration.

How It Settled on January 6

Under an 1899 Metropolitan Police directive, the review was to be held every year on January 4, or on January 6 in case of rain or snow, and not at all if it rained or snowed on the 6th as well. It was held on January 6 from 1916, but in 1940 it was renamed the "Imperial Capital Fire Inspection" and moved to January 15 (it was canceled in 1945 and 1946). After the war, the first review was held on January 15, 1947, and from 1953 the date changed to January 6, where it remains. The Tokyo Fire Department notes that this history is quoted from a 2001 publication and may not be up to date.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Check when your local fire department or municipality holds its dezomeshiki and go to watch
• Learn about traditions handed down from Edo-period firefighters, such as ladder acrobatics and kiyari songs
• Check where the fire extinguishers are at home and at work and how to use them
• Test whether your home fire alarms are working properly

Renewing Our Commitment to Fire Safety in the New Year

Dezomeshiki was born during the recovery from a great fire in the Edo period and its origins go back more than 350 years. At the start of the new year, why not use dezomeshiki as a chance to review fire safety around you?