Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Hello, this is Minato kid.

Today, I would like to walk along the green path in front of St. Luke Garden.

The planting in the sidewalk is lush, small waterways run, and cherry blossom trees are beautiful in spring.

Let's visit the precious remain and monuments that tell you that there was Tsukiji foreign settlement in Meiji period here in Akashicho.

♪　Toysler Memorial Hall

In 1933 (1875), a missionary hall of St. Luke International Hospital was built on the banks of the Sumida River. J. Bergamini was also involved in the design of St. Luke's International Hospital. It is a two-story building made of reinforced concrete, partially wooden, and is a solid stately building reminiscent of a European mountain villa.
The exterior has a half-timber-style design that expresses pillars and beams, and the interior has a tuder-Gothic style, the entrance and living room, etc., with a solid wood interior. It was relocated and restored in 1998 and is now located in the courtyard of St. Luke's International Hospital.

♪　U.S.

In 1859 (1859), Harris, the first American minister, opened the American ministerial office in Zenpukuji, Minato-ku. Then, the following year, a new envoy was built on the Tsukiji foreign settlement, and the shape was adjusted here. It is said that it was a wooden two-story, cream-colored Western-style building.

In 1890 (1890), I moved to Akasaka, the current location of the American Embassy. On the site of the Tsukiji foreign settlement, there were five monuments made of Komatsu stone. A pattern symbolizing the United States is engraved on a stone about 1m square.
Two monuments are preserved in the courtyard of St. Luke's Garden, three in front of St. Luke's International Hospital courtyard and in front of the Toysler Memorial Hall.

♪　The ruins of Henry Falls residence

Henry Falls, a missionary physician of the Scotland Conforming Elders, lived here during his stay in Japan from 1874 (1874) to 19 (1886).
I was interested in the practice of fingerprinting in Japan and conducted scientific fingerprint research. In 1880 (1880), a paper submitted to the British magazine Neurea is said to be the world's first paper on scientific fingerprinting, in which he presented his personal identification experience of criminals and referred to the genetic relationship of fingerprints. Later, in 1911 (1911), the Japanese police adopted the fingerprint method for the first time.

♪　Monument on the banks of the Sumida River

１．Monument at the site of the Tsukiji Unjosho
In 1867 (1867), the Edo Shogunate designated the whole area of Akashicho, Tsukiji Gunsho, as a permanent residence for foreigners in Tsukiji, and established a luck office for customs duties. This is the beginning of Tokyo Customs.

２．Local monument founded by telegraph
In 1869 (1869), the construction of a telegraph line of about 32 km was started connecting the Yokohama Court and the transmission station office located in Tsukiji Unjo, Tokyo. Started operations in December of the same year. It was Japan's first public telecommunications and played a major role in Civilization and enlightenment.


♪　School monument


１．Aoyama Gakuin Memorial Monument 1877 (1877)
２．Monument of the birthplace of Meiji Gakuin, 1877 (1877)
３．Monument of Birthplace of Women's Seigakuin 1905 (1905)

In spring, Minatoko likes the appearance of cherry blossom petals floating on the sparkling water surface.

There is a small fountain in the waterway, and there is a pretty bridge that stretches in just a step.

This is an unnamed road, but it is a unique street that delights the walkers.

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 29 December 9, 2018

 

 

Hello, this is Minato kid.
Today, I would like to walk "Idomechi Chuo-dori" from Tsukiji 6-chome 4 to Minato 1-chome 1. This street is the newest street in the Kyobashi area, nicknamed in 2013. Recently, Tokiwa Japanese dogwood trees have been planted on the sidewalks in the Irifune and Minato areas where maintenance has been completed.

♪　ＹＥＤＯ ＨＯＴＥＬ

The parking lot in Tsukiji Market, facing Harumi-dori St., is the place where the warship training center used to be.

After Perry's arrival of the Black Ship fleet, Edo shogunate, faced by the need for a Western Navy, began in 1857 (1857) at the Tsukiji Kobusho.

They gathered applicants from flagship books, family members, and various clansman to practice navigation and marine artillery, as well as practice driving warships imported from the Netherlands.

In 1865 (1865), it was renamed the Naval Office, but due to burning, it moved to the current site of the former Hamarikyu Garden.

In 1868 (1868), the new government notified the opening of Tokyo to each country, and Tsukiji foreign settlements were established in the current Akashicho area. The Tsukiji Hotel Building, which was built on the site of the Navy's site, was also called "Foreign Ryokan" and "YEDO HOTEL (Edo Hotel)" and opened as a lodging facility for foreigners who visited on trade.

The design and construction was considered to be Kisuke Shimizu, and it was a large hotel with a wooden two-story building and 102 guest rooms.

The outer wall was namako wall, each room was equipped with fireplaces, and a veranda on the coast, giving a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay.

What is impressive is that there is a tower in the center of the building, where a bell is hung there, and the tower is symmetrical, centering on the tower.

This is a typical feature of "pseudo-Western style (opening type) architecture", which was seen in various places until the Meiji 20s. The exterior is Western style, but the building materials and techniques are Japanese style.

However, in 1872 (1872), the Tsukiji Hotel Building was burned down due to the great fire in Ginza.

♪　The entrance to Tsukiji Foreign Settlement

Well, I went to Akatsuki Park. The area around Akatsuki Park today was once a large moat called "Akashibori". The center was Shin-ei Bridge, which was the gateway to foreign settlements.

Remaining Chuo-dori is dressed as crossing the former Shin-ei Bridge. Many foreigners from Shimbashi crossed this bridge by carriage and entered the Tsukiji foreign settlement.

♪　Catholic Tsukiji Church

A small church surrounded by trees stands quietly at the former settlement No. 36, which crosses St. Luke Street and crosses Reservation Street. It's Catholic Tsukiji Church.

The Catholic Tsukiji Church was built in 1874 (1874) as the first church in Tokyo on the Tsukiji Foreign Settlement. The original name is Tsukiji St. Joseph Cathedral. It was also the first cathedral in Tokyo (bishopedral).

In 1878 (1878), a Gothic-style red brick cathedral was built. In 1888 (1888), Xiaosei Gakuen originated in the sacred school. However, it was burned down by the Great Kanto Earthquake. The current cathedral was rebuilt in 1927 (1927) under Father Gyrodias.

At the request of Archbishop Ray, the Greek Parthenon style was adopted, and the Doris order column, pediment, is engraved with tulips and roses.

The Akashicho area has escaped air raids, and the Catholic Tsukiji Church is one of the oldest churches in Tokyo and conveys its magnificent appearance today.

What is preserved in the cathedral is the Angelas bell, nicknamed "Janne Louise of Edo". It was given by Renne, France in 1876 (1876), and was a pair of two large and small bells. Louise is the smaller one. The large Josephine moved to Sekiguchi Church with the Archbishop in 1920 (1920).

♪　A monument built on the settlement Chuo-dori street

１．In 1881 (1881), the monument of the opening of Futaba Gakuen.

２．1882 (1882) Monument of the opening of Rikkyo Girls' School

３．1888 (1888) Monument of the birthplace of Xiaosei Gakuen

４．Monument of the birthplace of Kanto Gakuin University in 1895 (1895)

In addition, outside the settlement, there was a "relative leased land area (miscellaneous land)" that was allowed to rent a house to foreigners. It seems that many foreigners did not live in the settlement and lived in this area.

As for the relative leased land, along the settlement Chuo-dori, the current Tsukiji 6-chome / 7-chome, Irifune / Minato area, and Shintomi-cho corresponded.

Even now, there is an alley in the Irifune area where you can see the cross of St. Luke's International Hospital straight. It is nicknamed "Cross Street" by local residents.

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 28 December 2, 2018