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)

Hello. I'm a new correspondent (Hanes)
The event was held on February 13 at the Kabukiza Gallery on the 5th floor of Kabukiza Tower.
I went to "Ginza Kiboritei Moeise Extra Edition-Taku Rakugo at Kabukiza Gallery-by TOKYO KOBIKI LAB."



It was my first time to go to the vaudeville, but it was a fusion of anime, manga and rakugo.
It was my first time to learn about the genre of "Taku Rakugo".
I myself had equal knowledge of anime, manga, and games, and I was very worried that I could understand it, but I thought that listening to a new genre of rakugo was also a study, so I got off at Higashi-Ginza Station.

■Kabuki soba
Rakugo started at 19:00, so "We had dinner first...."I thought,"
The famous shop "Kabuki Soba" that I learned from flowing on my friend's Instagram feed!
In this blog, a senior correspondent Tom Shimomachi introduced me before.
It's just behind the Kabukiza Theater, so it's very convenient when you want to finish your meal nearby.



This is a meal ticket system, and I ordered "Mori Kakiage (470 yen)".
(The famous specialty is "Zaru Kakiage (490 yen).")
It took about 20 seconds to give the meal ticket to the shop, select a seat, walk slowly, and take off the coat.
Maybe the timing was good, I came out before I sat down.
If such a skill is so good, Kabuki actors before the actual performance will be able to easily eat it.



Soba is the amount that women can eat without difficulty, and it is also possible to have a large amount of 70 yen!
It's unusual to serve tempura, and it's unique to Kabuki soba.
Tempura mainly contains carrots, onions, and sweet potatoes.
I enjoyed the crispy texture as if it was just fried.
The last order will be at 18:15, so please be careful when using at night.

■Rooftop garden
Even after dinner, I still had some time before the opening.
I went to the rooftop garden of Kabukiza (5th floor, free of charge)
Although it is not clear from the ground, it is a just right place to relax with monuments, lanterns, cherry blossoms, chairs, etc.



From the Goemon stairs on the right side of the garden, you can see the tiled roof of Kabukiza up close.


(The destination down the stairs is "Fourth Floor Corridor-Kabukiza of Memories.")

Many of you may know that phoenix can be seen everywhere in the Kabukiza Theater, but there are many people who know it.
Have you ever heard of the "inverted phoenix" that makes you happy when you find it?


(This is an ordinary phoenix (laughs))

If you are worried, please refer to the article of Senior Correspondents, Satsuki's Koi Blower and Kyoba Peony.

I've been to this garden only during the daytime, but I've never been there.
At night, the moon can be seen without being blocked by other buildings.
I was able to enjoy it at night.



■Kabukiza Gallery
After opening, we met several correspondents and proceeded to the back of the gallery while talking....
Because it's just a gallery, you can not only learn about Kabuki, but also learn about Kabuki.
Looking at the costumes used in Kabuki, props (such as butterflies attached to the tip of the difference), musical instruments, etc., I was able to touch some parts!
Some horses can't be crushed even if adults ride.
It is a very interesting spot where you can enjoy while experiencing black robes, guardianship, and as if you were a Kabuki actor.

■Ginza Kiboritei Moese Extra Edition-Taku Rakugo at Kabukiza Gallery-by TOKYO KOBIKI LAB.
There are three things I thought of as a beginner when I entered the vaudeville.
That means that the Koza is higher than expected, the Koza and the audience seats are closer than expected, and the stage is more colorful than expected (probably limited time).

On this stage, cypress boards and lifting curtains that were actually used in the previous Kabukiza are used.
The Kabukiza Gallery is also available for those who have never seen Kabuki or overseas.
It was made for the purpose of making it easy to touch Kabuki.
These traditional things are also incorporated, so it is a spot that Kabuki fans should visit.

Although the preface has become longer, this time, Yoshiyoshi Shunfutei, who also appears in Nico Nico Doga, appears.
We show off rakugo that includes everything from the shallow to very maniac elements.
There was a lot of laughter in the audience!
I will omit the details because it will be spoiled, but according to the commentary, one seat may contain more than 5 types of anime and manga elements, etc.
A characteristic or well-known line
If you know, the tension goes up saying, "Oh, I understand."

On the other hand, in the case of a person who is not related to anime or manga like me, I am
Although it doesn't fit in lines and character names, you can enjoy the story itself enough.
The last show, "If the retirement of Kotobuki-no-shi is a taku....The setting is ""
"When the classical rakugo Kotobuki is fused with modern culture, it will evolve to this extent and have swelling!"
Rather, I thought it was a chemical reaction in the rakugo world because it was a composition that impressed me.
And in order to get younger generations interested in rakugo, we need to make them more interested in rakugo.
I thought there might be such an idea.

In addition, the person who appeared during the recoloration of Shunfutei Yoshiyoshi has a background so that he could not find something in common with traditional performing arts.
It was impressive that he had successfully linked episodes about his career to laughter.

In addition to rakugo, there is also an interesting talk show featuring popular voice actor Kentaro Tone.
You can listen to the work of voice actors and stories that were synchronized with a famous haiku actor at university.
It was a very valuable experience as I studied.
Taking advantage of this, Kabuki, Rakugo, Noh, puppet ballad drama, etc.
I would like to touch on the traditional performing arts that represent Japan!

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
There are seasonal events such as Setsubun and Valentine's Day in February.
If you want to mention another thing, isn't it an "entrance examination"?
As with universities, entrance examinations are also held at private junior high schools.
At the snow festival the other day, I heard a delicate story saying, "How was the test?"

I was unrelated to junior high school exams, but I was wondering, "What is the history (society) problem of junior high school exams?"
When I looked at the issues listed in the reference book (* posted at the end of the article), I looked at the paraparagus.
There is a lot of maniac content that probably won't go to the center exam....
This time, I would like to introduce those related to Chuo-ku from such problems!

■2014 Waseda Jitsugyo Gakko Middle School (Society)

Japanese food is attracting attention from around the world as a healthy meal, but sushi is especially popular as a representative of Japanese food along with shabu-shabu. As the name implies, Edomae sushi, which puts fresh seafood on the vinegared rice, was established in the Edo period. The book "Morisada Manga" written in the late Edo period has names such as egg rolls, glue rolls (kanpyo), car shrimp, Kohada, tuna sashimi, shrimp soboro, white fish, congridae, etc.
Sushineta can be obtained in Edo Bay (Tokyo Bay), and since there was no refrigerator at that time, it was mainly made with vinegar like (1) and steamed like shrimp and (2) and cooked. Was. It is now popular (3), but at that time it was a cheap popular fish and was not treated at a prestigious store. It is said that "Toro", which has a lot of fat, is called "(4)" that does not eat cats because it rot quickly. In addition, dark soy sauce that matches seafood was made in Choshi, close to Edo (5).

[Question] For (1) to (3) in the text, select the applicable sushi ingredients from the text, answer (4) the name, and (5) the place name.

How about everyone?
Of course, there are problems that can be answered immediately, but some of them are thought and thought.
Perhaps there was a problem that wanted to say, "I've never heard that." I was there!

The answer you are worried about...
①Kohada 2 congridae 3 tuna 4 cats straddling 5 Noda

I can't believe it now, but
Today's popular tuna and toro were treated as lower fish (lower fish) and poor fish in the Edo period.


(Now tuna with even a high-class image)

On the other hand, Kohada is considered the most stylish.
He said, "If you don't eat Kohada's fat, you're not a sushi passerman, you're not an Edo kid, rather than a passerman."
If you would like to know more details, please refer to the following URL.

④It seems that "cat tattogi" comes from a fish that doesn't even eat even a cat who likes fish, and has a bad taste enough to pass over.
Even if it's a joke, I'd like to verify it personally lol

■2014 Hakodate La Sar Junior High School <Society>

Q1 The figure on the next page depicts a person studying Dutch studies mimicking a Dutchman in Dejima and celebrating the New Year of the solar calendar (so-called "Netherlands New Year"). When is this? Choose the correct one from A to D and answer it with symbols.
※Please see here (link to Waseda University Library website) for details.

A. Around 1650 Around 1700 Around 1800 e. around 1850

Question 2 Choose the correct one from A to D as a combination of X and Y errors about this Dutch New Year, and answer it with symbols.
X. The Dutch New Year is about a month later than the New Year celebrated by the general public at that time.
Y. At the party to celebrate the Dutch New Year, it can be seen from the diagram that there are West tableware on the table and that people sitting in chairs wear kimono.

A. X - positive Y - positive. X - positive Y - error　
C. X - Error Y - Correct E. X - Y - Miscellaneous

This is a problem with big hints hidden in the text and diagrams.
Even if you first heard about the Dutch New Year, I think it's probably a problem that can be solved.

Let's present the answer!
Q1: C Question 2: D
Question 1 is that Dutch studies matured around 1800 because it is a chemical culture.
X in question 2 is incorrect because November 11, 1794 was changed to New Year (January 1, 1795).
Y in question 2 is wrong because a person sitting in a chair is wearing clothes.

As you can see, read the "Description" in the figure on the Waseda University Library website.
This Dutch New Year's feast was located in Mizutanicho, Kyobashi Ward at the time.
The event was held at Shibarando, the home and private school of Gentaku Otsuki (a Dutch scholar who is also known as a person who introduced beer to Japan during isolation).
Some of the invitees shown in the figure include Genpaku Sugita and his disciples.
A few years after returning from Russia, there is Kotayu Daikokuya (a man who holds paper and feather pen in front of tokonoma and writes Kiril language).
This figure, which shows such a situation, has become an important cultural property as a valuable document depicting the first Dutch New Year in Edo.

However, when the Dutch New Year began to be celebrated in Edo, a foreign country....
Did the Federal Republic of Nederland itself exist in the Netherlands?...
Please refer to the reference for details of history and culture related to such world history.

[Reference (Citation source)]
Yu Takishima, “Edo period to understand the question of Ari-sensei's prestigious junior high school entrance examination” (Energy Forum, 2015)
※It can be borrowed from the Chuo Ward Kyobashi Library Regional Archives.

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
I went to the "Chuo-ku Snow Festival" held at Akatsuki Park on Sunday, February 10 and 11 (Mon / holiday). .
Since it is held every other year, it is my first snow festival since I moved to Chuo-ku....
I've been looking forward to it since the end of last year!



On the 9th (Saturday), the day before the event, it was very cold, and although it was hardly piled up, snow fell.
Meanwhile, the amount of snow delivered from Higashine City is equivalent to 20 trucks!
In Tokyo, the amount of snow that you don't see first increases the tension even for adults.
This time, I would like to tell you about such a snow festival.

■Snow play corner
Here we slide the snow slope with sleds.
I was able to play with the snow while I was in Tokyo.
For children in Tokyo who don't usually see so much snow,
I guess it was a great excitement.



Like sleds, there was a long line of miniskies.
Ski boards and stock for children can be borrowed from Chuo-ku.
You can enjoy skiing easily.



In addition, parents and children make snowmen, etc.
I saw him enjoying playing with the snow as he wished.



■Mini zoo
You can ride ponies, ducks, chickens, etc.
Cute small animals such as rabbits were also coming to play.



■Song Corner, Opening Ceremony
In the song corner, which was held twice a day, the song was held.
Including Panda Rabbit koala, which children can enjoy together.
Various songs are performed, and there are many smiling children around the stage.


(It is a pity that we cannot deliver the expression due to the protection of personal information.)

And on the 10th, the opening ceremony was held from 11:30.
I missed the timing for a moment.
I was able to meet the mayor of Chuo and the local character of Higashine City, the king of the fruit tree kingdom, Tanto-kun.



■Higashine-shi PR corner
In a corner of Akatsuki Park, special products of Higashine City were sold.
Among them, many of them were Keio Sakura.
It is a cherry blossom that blooms in winter and is a representative cherry tree in Yamagata Prefecture that delivers spring a little earlier (how, the shipment volume is the highest in Japan).



There are also juices, fruit wines, sweets, etc. made from fruits from Yamagata.
Lotteries that can be participated if purchased over a certain amount of money were also exciting.

Meanwhile, I purchased "Keyaki-yaki" from Shosendo, famous for "Kotobuki Matsu" in Yamagata famous confectionery.
What is the reason?...Chuo-ku and Higashine-shi also have exchanges through keyaki.

I think that it is only the exchange between cherries and willows, and in the ward administration yearbook,
On February 11, 2007, it is recorded that the "15th anniversary of the Chuo-ku-Higashine-shi friendship city tie-up" was held.



It is the most important taste, but it has a modest sweetness, and the flavor of the dough is very good.
In addition to green soybeans, white hide beans are added to Zudaan.
I think it was more like "an"!

And some of the visitors knew for the first time that this snow festival was used as an opportunity.
Once again, I felt that such cultural exchange was meaningful.

■Sales of recycled bicycles
Recycled bicycles were sold on the morning of the 10th, saying, "Treasure limited resources."
Those who wish to purchase must put the prescribed application form in the envelope attached to the desired bicycle by 11:30.
The lottery will start from 12:00.

This time, about 20 units, which were dominated by the city cycle, were sold.
The appeal of this project is that it costs 6,000 yen per bicycle including the security registration fee (* cash payment is required on the spot).



The applicants were slightly different from 2 to 30 people for each bicycle, but many people participated in the lottery.
Recycled bicycles are all clean and well maintained.
Isn't it a great opportunity for those who are considering purchasing a bicycle?

This tent will be the Kyobashi fire brigade PR corner on the 11th the following day.
It seems that they have distributed leaflets.

■Taste corner
Here you can find regional cuisine, Gomoku rice, fried rice soup, taiyaki, oshiruko, hot Calpis, and so on.
Food and drinks that can be enjoyed by adults and children were distributed, and it was very busy.



When I visited Higashine at the beginning of the year, I lost eating local cuisine like regional cuisine.
I also had potato broth, tamakonjac, and taiyaki.



The taste of pork is very effective in the potato broth.
Some of them commented, "Sukiyaki-like!"
The tamakonjac, which was moderately elastic and tasted, was also delicious.

■Yeah
The Chuo-ku Snow Festival, which was participated for the first time this time, was a unique winter event with various projects and corners.
There is a feeling of being for children, but it can be enjoyed regardless of men and women of all ages.
I guess it's not the only one who felt wasteful at every other year.

And it was surprisingly crowded with so many families, saying, "There were so many children in Chuo-ku!"
In Chuo-ku, there are many valuable opportunities for children to enjoy, including Kabuki and traditional festivals.
You are enjoying Chuo-ku with your child
As you can see from the articles of senior correspondents, Edamame, Osome, and Harumi Madam (in alphabetical order) and conversations when they appeared on the radio.
I feel like I was able to understand more that "Chuo-ku is easy to raise children"

I was able to know the charm of the friendship city, Higashine City through snow, gourmet, special products, etc.
There was also information newly obtained, and I wanted to visit again soon.

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
Continuing from the last time, I would like to focus on Chuo-ku that Sidmore saw!

■Impression of Edo (p. 75)
This section describes the scenery of Tokyo, where the remnants of Edo remain.
The frank and honest impression from overseas people at that time is spelled out.

"The scenery of Tokyo, which I see for the first time, disappointing travelers, just like the first scenery of Yokohama. Ginza, the main street in this commercial district begins with a bridge on the opposite side of the Shimbashi railway station and extends straight to Nihonbashi, the northern end of the Tokaido. Nihonbashi is the starting point of transportation for national distance measurement. In the Oita part of the road, moon-like buildings, curbs, and green shades are lined up based on foreign countries, but the railway carriage [carriage iron] echoes the pop-up sound, and the light carriage runs rattles. , The scenery of the city is quite inconsistent. This is not Oedo, which tourists dreamed, but is not a big city of the East. The plaster walls, wooden cylindricals, glamorous windows of the shops, and the stupid mountains of imitation, all the tourists face the way."



When I first read it, "I don't have to say so much."..."I felt somewhat sad,"
For those who are familiar with foreign landscapes, such harsh impressions may be appropriate.
And again, when we eat ramen and sushi overseas, we eat ramen and sushi.
"I'm sorry that the noodles are spreading...."The vinegared rice part is dry and hard to eat...."I feel like
Finding Chinese elements in buildings and gardens that are Japanese style or Japanese style.
"That's something different from the image....I think this feeling is something that I experienced with Sidmore.
Shedmore continued to say a word after this.

"But there are a lot of secret places unique to big cities, unforeseen excavations that are unrelated to the changing times, and you can get pure Japanese treasures that are enough to compensate for your initial disappointment."


(Okuno Building, a luxury designer condominium completed in 1932)

In other words, there are many immutable pure Japanese places, even as they change overseas (especially European countries) as examples.
From today's point of view, Japan's unique Historic buildings is located a little far from behind alleys and main streets.
I think it's an attractive place that can be called a "secluded gem" known to those who know it.
In addition, there may be wonderful scenery "I couldn't see it unless I got lost."
It can be said that such unexpected excavations are the real pleasure of walking around the town.


(Miyakawa poultry eggs, selected by Historic buildings, completed in 1929)

Sidmore's comment introduced this time is what modern tourists visiting Japan are looking for from Japan.
And I feel that it leads to what Japanese people who travel abroad are looking for.

It's a good idea to go around the sights of the royal road listed in the guidebook.
The popularity of traditional culture experience tours and "traveling like living" type trips is also increasing.
Also, rather than buying beautifully packaged souvenirs at shops like "The Souvenir Shop"
People have come to hear from locals that they want to buy something that has a reputation.
In that sense, it is necessary to consider what tourists visiting Japan are looking for.Sidmore's comments may be helpful.

"Sidmore Japan Journey" also describes the state of the army and Tsukiji foreign settlements at that time.
There is a record from the perspective of overseas people.
I'm sorry that there is no collection in the Chuo City Library, but it's a book worth reading.
Next time, I will take up the Shintomiza seen by Sidmore!

[References]
Eliza R. Sidmore (author) / Katsuhisa Tonosaki (translation) "Sidmore Japan Journey" (Kodansha, 2002).