Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Hello, this is Minato kid.

This time, I would like to introduce books published by Chuo-ku. It is available at all libraries, Chuo Ward Kyobashi Library, Nihonbashi Library, and Tsukishima Library.

♪　Cultural assets of Chuo-ku

We introduce many remaining Cultural Heritage in Chuo-ku, which has developed as the center of economic and cultural since the opening of Edo period. A total of 7 books. (Chuo-ku Board of Education, about 21cm, around 80 pages)

(1) Revised New Edition Cultural Properties Historic Sites, Historic Sites, Monuments in Chuo-ku 1995　

(2) Cultural Properties of Chuo-ku Art, Crafts, ancient document, 1976

(3) Cultural Properties Bridge in Chuo-ku, published in 1977

(4) Cultural Property Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Chuo-ku -Faith-Published in 1981

(5) Cultural Property Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Chuo-ku-Tools-Published in 1984

(6) Cultural Property Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Chuo-ku-ku-Tools 2-Published in 1987

(7) Cultural Properties Building in Chuo-ku, published in 1988

♪　Talking about the old days of Chuo-ku

This is a compilation of the contents of the cultural property round-table conference "Meeting about the Old Age", which has been held every year in various parts of the city since 1984. Mainly, people born and raised in Chuo-ku tell about old life and change of town mainly from the state of the town from the early Taisho era, memory of the Great Kanto Earthquake, life in elementary school, etc. . A total of 17 books. (Chuo-ku Board of Education, about 21cm, around 80 pages)

(1) Hatchobori and Tsukuda Island, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku, published in 1989

(2) Higashinihombashi, Bakurocho, and Yokoyamacho, which talk about the old days of Chuo-ku, published in 1989

(3) Irifune, Minato, and Tsukishima, which talk about the old days of Chuo-ku

(4) Kyobashi Yaesu (2) and Kyobashi Daikon River Bank, which talk about the old days of Chuo-ku, published in 1991

(5) Published by Hamacho and Koamicho, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

(6) Muromachi, Honmachi, and Shinkawa 1999, which talk about the old days of Chuo-ku

(7) Akashicho, Tomizawa-cho, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

(8) Kobuna-cho, Shintomi Heisei 6, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

(9) Hakozaki-cho, Tsukiji, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

(10) Honishi-cho, Hisamatsu-cho, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

(11) Ningyocho and Horidome-cho, which talk about the old days of Chuo-ku

(Twelve) Otemmacho and Kakigaracho, which talk about the old days of Chuo-ku, published in 1998

(Thirteen) Kayabacho and Kodemmacho, which talk about the old days of Chuo-ku, published in 1999

(14) Kabuto-cho, Nihonbashi 2012, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

(15) Yaesu 1-chome, Nakashu 2001, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

(16) Kachidoki, Toyomi-cho, Harumi 14, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

(17) Ginza 2016, which talks about the old days of Chuo-ku

♪　Chuo-ku Cultural Properties Survey Report

This is a record and report based on a deep delve into each theme in Cultural Heritage, Chuo-ku. A total of 5 books. (Chuo-ku Board of Education)


(Photos are in order from left in both upper and lower rows.)

Chuo-ku Cultural Properties Survey Report Vol. 1

Tsukiji's Foreign Housing-Survey Report on Polaba Bungalow, an attached foreign housing at St. Luke's International Hospital-Published 1992 (26cm, 118 pages).

Chuo-ku Cultural Properties Survey Report Vol. 2

Wooden buildings in Chuo-ku, published in 1993 (30cm, 154 pages)

Chuo-ku Cultural Properties Survey Report Vol. 3

Documents owned by the Old House of Chuo-ku-ku-Ozu Shoten, Sasagi In Store, Nakamura House Document-Published in 1995 (26cm, 195 pages)

Chuo-ku Cultural Properties Survey Report Vol. 4

Documents from Sugimori Shrine, published in Heisei 8 (30cm, 208 pages)

Chuo-ku Cultural Properties Survey Report Vol. 5

Bridge, Hashizume Plaza in Chuo-ku-ku-modern bridge survey-published in 1998 (30cm, 354 pages)

♪　Walk in Central Ward - Visit Historic Sites and History -

This book looks at Chuo-ku from the perspective of life, streets, Civilization and enlightenment, literature, etc., and introduces the footprints of Cultural Heritage and Chuo-ku in the ward. A total of 9 books. (Chuo-ku Planning Department Public Relations Section, 18cm tall, around 200 pages)

1st Collection Walk in Chuo Ward-Visit Historic Sites and History-Published in 1988

Vol. 2 Walk in Chuo Ward - Visit Historic Sites and History-Published in 1992

3rd Collection Walk in Chuo Ward-Visit Historic Sites and History-Published in 1995

4th Collection Walk in Chuo Ward-Visit Historic Sites and History-Published in 1998

5th Collection Walking in Chuo Ward - Visiting Historic Sites and History-Published in 2001

6th Collection Walking in Chuo Ward-Visit Historic Sites and History-Published in 2004

7th Collection Walking in Chuo Ward-Visit Historic Sites and History-Published in 2007

8th Collection Walk in Chuo Ward-Visit Historic Sites and History-Published in 2010

9th Collection Walking in Chuo Ward-Visit Historic Sites and History-Published in 2013

※　After applying to the Chuo Ward Kyobashi Library Regional Archives, we photographed a book.

Now, it is a book that you can realize how Chuo-ku, which we know, changes with the changing times, and that there is something that does not change only in Chuo-ku. I would like to use it for city walks and local research.

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 33 January 18, 2019

 

 

Hello, this is Minato kid.
Chuo Ward has three Chuo Ward libraries: Kyobashi Library, Nihonbashi Library, and Tsukishima Library.

Today, I would like to introduce the "Sankun Garden" that spreads in front of the entrance of the Chuo Ward Kyobashi Library.

The Sankun Garden of Kyobashi Library in Chuo Ward is a large space with a sense of openness, located one step down from the sidewalk. In this way, a garden located lower than the ground is called the sunken garden in architectural terms. There are stairs and slopes, so it is convenient when you come by bicycle, stroller, wheelchair, etc.

♪　The flowers of Sankun Garden

In the Sankun Garden, there are round flower beds. It is always neat, and seasonal flowers greet us gently.

In each flowerbed, a shrubs of the cypress family stands as a symbol, and flowers are planted around it.

This season, cyclamen Pansy, Sweet Alissam Margaret Viola and others are blooming vividly. During the Christmas season, the flower beds are decorated with ribbons to make you feel fun.

♪　Bulletin board of Sankun Garden

In addition, there is a bulletin board at the Sankun Garden of Kyobashi Library in Chuo Ward.

Here, various photos are displayed on a regular basis, introducing the history and townscape of Chuo-ku.
"Web Gallery Chuo City Library Collection" on the Chuo City Library website is introduced on paper.

The handmade bulletin board is warm and seems to soften the viewer.

♪　History of Chuo Ward Kyobashi Library
The current building of the Chuo Ward Kyobashi Library is integrated with the Chuo-ku government office, designed by Takeo Sato, completed in 1969 (1969).

The history of the Chuo Ward Kyobashi Library is old and dates back to 1910 (1910). It was the beginning of the Tokyo City Kyobashi Simple Library, which was opened at Kyobashi Hirone Elementary School. It was in 1929 (1929) that I moved to my current location.

It is one of the best libraries in Tokyo, with many books published before the war due to escape from the war and holding valuable materials. In addition, the regional reference room has materials related to Chuo-ku, as well as materials from the 23 wards of Tokyo and the Tama area.

As of April 2018, the Chuo Ward Kyobashi Library has 345,000 books, 253 magazines, 8733 CDs and DVDs, 19 newspapers, and 166 seats.

On the way home from choosing your favorite book, be sure to look at the flowers of Sankun Garden.

1-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku Kyobashi Library 1-chome, Chuo-ku

※Please note that the library and the ward office are not connected inside.

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 32 January 16, 2018

 

 

Hello, this is Minato kid.
Until last time, I walked along the street around Akashicho, where the Tsukiji foreign settlement was located in the Meiji era.
Today, I would like to introduce a foreign house called "Polaba Bungalow", which survived on the banks of the Sumida River until the Heisei era.

Name = POLABA BUNGALOW
Location = 8 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Designer = J. Bergaminy
Constructor = Shimizu Gumi
Year of completion = Taisho 13-14 (1924-25)
Building area = 66 tsubo 791 (220,752 m2)
Foundation = cloth foundation
Wooden one-story building

In 1989 (1989), the redevelopment project of St. Luke International Hospital was implemented. At present, the Toysler Memorial Hall, which was located at the location of St. Luke Garden, was relocated to the courtyard in the hospital, but in fact there were two more wooden one-story Western-style buildings on the same site. One of them is "Polaba Bungalow".
"Polaba Bungalow" was located on the site of the American Embassy during the Meiji period. It was a foreign house for hospital staff. Completion is estimated to be around 1924, which means that it was built there earlier than the Toysler Memorial Hall.
It seems to be the house where "Mr. Polaba" lived, but there are no detailed materials such as the design drawings at the beginning of construction. And no one who knew about Mr. Polava was able to find it after a long time.

The exterior was a Japanese-style wooden one-story house. However, once the survey started, an unexpected architectural style came to light. That is, the "2 x 4 (two-by-four) method" (framework wall method), which is still rare in Japan at the time, was used.

In addition, all rooms were Western-style rooms. Obviously, it was a house for foreigners. A full-scale survey was conducted with the historical value of the building recognized and planned to be demolished soon.

♪　History of the construction of Polaba bungalows
The Great Kanto Earthquake that occurred in 1923 (1923) not only took away all the features of Tsukiji foreign settlements, but also caused enormous damage to hospital buildings. Building materials were transported by ship from the United States to build a temporary hospital. Wood, asbestos slate, tile roofing, etc. It was a ballack building that was quickly built during reconstruction.

According to the people involved, "I built two houses with the remaining materials that built the temporary hospital." It is thought that there are two wooden one-story houses built near the Toysler Memorial Hall. It can be estimated that the completion will be around June 1924, at the same time as the temporary hospital.

♪　Floor plan of poraba bungalow

Polaba Bungalow is a middle corridor-shaped house with a ridge extending east and west. After Ms. Polaba, Miss Stound (also known as Ms. Nuno's theory) lived, but the number of residents increased further, and the extension was made in 1933 (1933).

Each material at that time remains at St. Luke's International Hospital. In the drawing, "POLABA BUNGALOW" was written. This is why this building is called Polaba Bungalow.

In addition, the designer in the extension was described as J. Bergaminy. Speaking of 1933, it was the year when the first phase of the hospital was completed and the Toysler Memorial was newly built. All were designed by J. Bergaminy. Probably, the extension of the Polaba Bungalow was done at the same time as these.

On the north side of the entrance, there were two "surbant rooms". This is a Japanese-style room, probably based on the assumption that Japanese will be hired as servants. There is a living room, dining room, bedroom and bathroom on the south side, and a kitchen and storage room on the north side. In the extension, the living room was expanded, and the entrance was increased beside it.

With the extension, there is a "design change and heating installation application notification" notified to the police station. Probably because the number of residents increased and a solid living environment was needed in the future. In other words, the Polaba bungalows confirm that it was a ballack building that was built for first aid immediately after the earthquake.

♪The architectural style of Polaba bungalow

[Axis]

On top of the cloth foundation, the foundation is placed, and a vertical column stands directly on the foundation. After removing the clapboard outer wall, a board about 10 cm wide was affixed diagonally at an angle of 45 degrees. Furthermore, when we removed it, we found that a one-third square pillar was set up at equal intervals, regardless of the position of the window. This is clearly different from the Japanese architectural style.

In addition, a cement block was sandwiched between the stole and the stole. As an example of using the same method, it is also found at the former American Board Missionary Museum, an important cultural property designated by Gunma Prefecture, and is thought to be avoiding rats. It could be a commonly used method in American residential architecture.

[Oyagumi]

It is a manthard roof with a low eaves (a waist-breaking roof). Despite being a Western-style roof, the hut structure uses a Japanese hut method instead of a truss structure. Finishing is a tin roof for the main building and a waveform asbestos slate for the eaves.

[Interior]

In the living room, a wooden hair board is used, and a cosmetic plywood is attached to it. This cosmetic plywood seems to be the same as the ceiling on the second floor of the main hospital building. This is an imported material from the United States.

[Feder group] When the floor of the living room is peeled off, the base plate is diagonally pasted on the rootta, and a thin carpet is laid on it. The diagonal sticking of flooring material is also a feature of the 2×4 construction method.

While the American architectural style is adopted, the traditional construction methods are visible and hidden everywhere. This is thought to be because, apart from the designer, the person who actually worked on the construction was Japanese and used familiar techniques.

During the Meiji era, when Western-style architecture entered Japan, there were many cases where construction methods were mixed in this way. The Japanese masters tell us that it was a transitional period when they were proud of their previous techniques, interpreted themselves and accepted new construction methods.

♪　2×4 construction method in Japan
The characteristic of Polaba bungalow is that its exterior is a Japanese-style wooden one-story house, but it has a complete American house style. One of them is the “2 × 4 (two-by-four) method” (framework wall method).

The 2 × 4 construction method is mainly used for housing in the United States and Canada. A thin pillar is set up at equal intervals, and an exterior plate with a clapboard is attached to a framework that combines beams and the like. It is a unique technology cultivated in American topography and history, and it also has one aspect of a "prefabricated house" that anyone can easily assemble.

There seem to be many examples of the use of this architectural style during the reconstruction period of the Great Kanto Earthquake. In fact, a long time ago, the 2 × 4 construction method was adopted in Japan was the building of the Hokkaido pioneer.

In 1869 (1869), the Hokkaido pioneer established by the new Meiji government was organized with the cooperation of the American Department of Agriculture. The former pioneer Sapporo Museum, etc., has become an important cultural property.

Later, in 1890 (1890), there was an example of bringing back an American assembled house, which is thought to be when the 2 × 4 construction method began to be introduced in the private sector.

Polava bungalows hold the key in the process and stages of the adoption of the 2×4 construction method in Japan.

♪　Bungalow style

Regarding the format of "bungalows", it was the ideal housing image that was considered to be the most suitable for Japanese people among the housing styles introduced from overseas in the housing improvement movement during the Taisho era.

At the time of the reconstruction of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 (1923), the bungalow format came to be highly evaluated in order to resolve housing shortages. "Polava Bungalow" is thought to have practiced it in such a trend.

♪　After the Polaba Bungalow

In 1941 (1941), there is a record of Hirotoshi Hashimoto, the hospital director at the time, living with his family. For this reason, I have alias of "Hashimoto Memorial Hall".

In addition, since 1977 (1977), it was used as a training room for hospital officials and a conference room, and was called the "St. Luke's Second Memorial Hall". In 1985 (1985), it also served as the office of the Redevelopment Planning Headquarters.

The building that tells the history is with a voice that wishes for preservation every day. However, buildings that are forced to disappear due to problems such as maintenance and management continue to disappear. Polaba bungalows is one of them.

Because it is a building that is not visible now, the "record" tells us a lot.

Reference: Chuo-ku Cultural Properties Survey Report Vol. 1 "Foreign Housing in Tsukiji"
Survey report on Polaba Bungalow, a foreign housing attached to St. Luke's International Hospital
1992 Chuo-ku Board of Education

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 31 January 10, 2019

 

 

Minato 2-chome east district is about to be reborn now.
This area is located 1.5 km from Tokyo Station, and has been blessed with a better environment. However, from the end of the Showa era, the effects of the bubble economy and other factors caused disaster prevention and crime prevention issues, such as scattered vacant lots.
From 1995, local efforts for the regeneration of the town started, and after more than 20 years from the original plan, Minato Park opened in November 2016, and Minato 2-chome east district in November 2017 Redevelopment project building construction has been completed.
　
Minato Park, which overlooks the Sumida River from Minato 2-chome, has seasonal trees such as Shinmei Yoshino, Ode Mali, and Japanese enkianthus rose of sharon. It is a place to relax.

And on the sidewalk of the terrace, there is a mosaic mural about 50 meters long. This time, I would like to introduce this mural.

　

This mosaic mural is a work by the members of the Chuo Ward Welfare Center.

Ukiyo-e by Hiroshige Utagawa and Katsushika Hokusai are depicted using glass pieces and pieces of pottery, focusing on landscapes and people related to the Minato area during the Edo period.

There are about 15 designs, and there are patterns reminiscent of sparkling water and bubble grains, and shapes that seem to have shaped the large roof of guardian god in Minato and Tepposu Inari Shrine. Let's walk slowly and appreciate it.
　

♪　Welcome to the sidewalk museum!

This picture is Teppozu Inari Shrine. It was founded in the Heian period 1,000 years ago. He was a local god of the land, protected the safety of water, and gathered the worship of sailors so that he was called "Edo Minato has a gunshot."
　

This is the scenery of the festival in Minato. Reitaisai festival of Tepposhu Inari Shrine. It is a composition full of dynamism carried by the Ujiko people with a large mikoshi with a phoenix. I think you'll hear a powerful cheer. Miyamoto Dai portable shrine is one of the largest towns in portable shrine, and the best in Japan for both dignity and tradition.
　

“Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji Takeyo Tsukudashima” Katsushika Hokusai 1831 (1831)
Against the backdrop of Fuji, this is a work that captures the moment when fishing boats and boats are rowing toward Tsukuda Island, centered on Tsukuda Island, which was Ryoshimachi. Katsushika Hokusai's masterpiece, "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" series.


"Edo Hundred Views of Yokoshogun Tsukiji Gate Ruins" Hiroshige Utagawa 1858 (1858)
This is a work depicting a large roof of Tsukiji Honganji from Edo Minato in front of the gunpowder. The large roof of main hall was a landmark for the boat to enter Edo Minato. In fact, in 1856 (1856), main hall was destroyed by the heavy wind and rain. This picture was painted two years ago when it was rebuilt, and Hiroshige painted a large roof that was not actually in practice. It may have expressed people's wishes for reconstruction.

“Hundred Views of Edo Famous Views, City Prosperity Tanabata festival” Hiroshige Utagawa 1857 (1857)
This work depicts the scenery of Tanabata festival that colors the town of Edo against Mount Fuji and Edo Castle. On the roof of the Machiya, a tall strip bamboo continues forever. old calendar As July 7 near, many bamboo sellers were seen in Edo. On the day, everyone put a strip on leaf bamboo and prayed to the stars, regardless of the presence or absence of children and the poor. There are also abacus made of paper, Daifuku books, brooms, watermelons, etc. It's actually a quaint sight.
　

Shabon balls sold
In summer, he said that he came to sell while singing "Tamaya ~ ~ ~". Soaking soap bubbles in water and blowing thin pipes to make soap bubbles.
　

Dai-Kagura
Even during the Edo period, the shape changed slightly from time to time, but he sang Kouta and kyogen lively with flutes, small drums, large Wadaiko and bells, and walked around the streets of Edo every day.
　

In addition, there are still many designs. "Mosaic mural promenade" is a space on the riverside overlooking the glitter of the Sumida River, the brave figure of Chuo-ohashi Bridge, and Tsukuda Island on the opposite bank.
　

In addition, the solar lighting installed in the park is designed to secure lighting even in the event of a power outage, and on the bench, the seat surface can be removed in the event of a disaster and used as a furnace.

Why don't you take a walk and enjoy it on a sunny day?

　

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 30 January 7, 2019