Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Hello. I'm a new correspondent (Hanes)
As March approaches, it's time to find a "small spring".
Kikaku Takarai, a poet related to Chuo-ku, wrote about the spring of Edo (New Year).

"There is no day when one bell can't be sold, spring in Edo"

It is said that Edo was prosperous enough to sell even the bells of temples that are unlikely to sell.
I can't see such a sight now, but
In Chuo-ku, there are many bells that have seen the passage of time for a long time.
This time, I went to see some of these bells.

■Bronze Bell, Kokumachi Bell (Nihonbashi Kodenmacho 5-2) / Made in Japan
This bell, which was set up in Honishi-cho around the time of the second shogun Hidetada, informs people of Edo Castle about the time.
Because it was near Nagasakiya, Kawayanagi was written saying, "The bell of Kokumachi can be heard to the Netherlands."



The bell is about 170cm tall and is about the average height of an adult man.
(Speaking of about 170cm in Chuo-ku)...The iron bodhisattva head of Daikanonji also has the same size. )
I can hit this bell specially on New Year's Eve, so I would like to try it someday.

■Catholic Tsukiji Church (5-26 Akashicho) / Made in France
Here is the copper-made Western Bell (Kumin Tangible Cultural Property), commonly known as "JEANNE LOUISE DE YEDO" in Edo.
This bell was cast and donated in 1876.
At that time, during the Meiji era, it was already renamed "Edo" to "Tokyo".
So why was it named "Janne Louise of Edo" as the bell name suggests?...
The reason for this is that at the time of ordering the bell to Renne, the name "Tokyo" was not yet thoroughly enforced.

The event that could be said to be the origin of the Sumida River Fireworks Festival was held in 1732.
The name has changed with the times, and it seems that the current name has taken root is newer than expected.
Looking at the changes in the name, it is interesting to get a glimpse of the background and intentions of the times.



The "Adelaide Josephine," a bell that once duet with this bell, is known as "Adelaide Josephine."
This is exactly what Harumi Madam introduced last year.

Both bells were spared from the metal supplies of Pacific War, and did not become cannons.
As an aside, Jeanne Louise remains intact to this day, whereas
The Adelaide Josephine has overcome the rough waves of the times.
The bell was engraved with the name of the French legal scholar Boasonard.
I was able to escape the metal supply at Pacific War, but
Once broken, it was recasted in 1957 with the donation of a believer at Sekiguchi Church.

■Peace Bell (in the median strip between Nihonbashi 3-4 and Kyobashi 1-1) / Made in the Netherlands
This bell commemorates the 380th anniversary of Osamu Nichiran in 1989.
It was established by Chuo-ku in hope of world peace as a member of an international city.
The 26 bells are the largest in the world in the manufacture of Carillon Swing Bells.
With more than 100 years of history and excellent technology and achievements, he was awarded the title of "Royal" by the Dutch royal family.
Manufactured by Royal I Suvautu, Netherlands



The bell plays a song typified by the song "My Town" in Chuo-ku at 0 minutes every hour.
If you are concerned about the melody, or if you live far away, please contact us.
From Heiwa, Chuo-ku Prayer Virtual Museum



■Ginza Bell (Ginza Church: Ginza 4-2-1) / Made by U.K.
This is not so known compared to the above three bells, but
It is located on the right side of the stairs of Ginza Church.
It is a historical bell that has witnessed the transition of Ginza for about 90 years since the third hall was built in 1928.

However, it was cast in 1878, the same age as the bell of the Catholic Tsukiji Church!
Blews & Son (Blews & Son) in Birmingham City has a total of 227 kg.
The owner, William Bruus, remains a record as a craftsman making brass candlesticks, but
It seems that the church bell was also cast, and the bell of the time remains in the home base Birmingham.
How did this church bell cross the sea?...Don't you bother me?



So, if you look at the bell inscription, you can see words about the casting company or church, but take a closer look at lines 3 to 4.
Why isn't it engraved with NAGASAKI JAPAN?
This is a great clue for the bell to come to Ginza.
As a British lover, I couldn't pull down here, so after further investigation, I found the following:

In 1873 (Meiji 11), the oldest protestant sacred school in Japan, which later became Dejima Holy Public Hall Theological School, was established in Nagasaki.


(This building is indicated by a red arrow. When I visited last year, I didn't know that it was related to the Ginza Church. )

At that time, this bell, which Thomas Graver ordered, was attached.
However, the bell fell in an earthquake that occurred in 1922....
After that, missionary Scott has bought it.

The following year, the Great Kanto Earthquake occurred, and the Ginza Church was burned down....
It was revived in 1928, when the aforementioned Third Hall was completed.
At this time, the bell obtained from the Scott was attached.

Finally, the relationship between Nagasaki and Ginza appears on this bell has emerged.
Why did Glaver custom to Bruus & Sun?
We have not yet fully clarified what kind of person missionary Scott was and what kind of relationship it had with Ginza Church.
If you know the details, I will introduce them again on the blog!

■Yeah
This time, we introduced the bells seen in the city, how was it?
The countries of making bells are all different, and I feel again that Chuo-ku is international in the past.
An unexpected relationship with Nagasaki was also found.
As you mentioned, some of them have retired bells.
In this way, if you understand the history of the active era, you can gradually see the background of the era at that time.
In Chuo-ku, I hope you will find "one bell" very interesting.

[References and Website]
Earthquake and Volcano Observation Research Center, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, “Overview of seismic activity in Nagasaki Prefecture (August 2003)” (viewed on February 16, 2019)
Tsukiji Catholic Church 100th Anniversary Magazine Editorial Committee "Tsukiji-100th Anniversary Commemorative Issue" (Tsukiji Catholic Church, 1978) ※Not for sale (You can show it at the church.)
Nagasaki Baptist Church “Recommendation Walking Course - Course B: From spectacle bridge to Dejima / Oura 3” (viewed on February 16, 2019)