LAND OWNER'S TREND AND URBAN SPACE IN MODERN SHINKYOGOKU

Abstract

The influence of modern Japanese landowners to their own properties was strengthened by the Land Tax Revision, which had guaranteed the individual landownership. This paper takes up Shinkyogoku as an example. Shinkyogoku is a typical pleasure-resort district in modern Kyoto which had developed at the beginning of the Meiji era. In this district landowners can be divided into two categories; the settled landowners and the absentee ones. Both landowners leased their properties to the small tradesmen and accumulated lots in order to invite theater owners who could attract enormous customers. However, the ways of land accumulation were different according to the landowners category. These managements brought about the formation of a shopping street and the enlargement of theaters in Shinkyogoku.