The Fukagawa neighbourhood is named after its founder, Fukagawa Hachirozaemon. Originally, parts of the Fukagawa district below the Eitai river (excluding Etchujima) had been part of the adjoining
Pacific Ocean coastline; Hachirouemon developed these areas into viable land through the use of landfills. After the loss of roughly 60 percent of the city to the
Great Fire of Meireki in 1657, the local shogunate ordered
Buddhist temples on the north and west banks of the Onagi River and the east bank of the
Sumida River to be relocated. During this time, the area had been mainly occupied by fishermen, with a population of just over 1000; as of 1695, the area became officially known as the town of Fukagawa-Sagamachi. Following this, Fukagawa became known for its granary trade in rice and other grains; up until
World War II, it was known as one of Tokyo's largest grain markets. In later decades, the construction of bridges along the Sumida River (previously prohibited for security purposes) allowed greater external access to the area, leading to Fukagawa becoming a gateway for the neighbouring town of Monzen-machi and a local
red-light district. == Geisha ==