Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Hello, this is Minato kid.

After the Meiji Restoration, modern literature was nurtured in our Chuo-ku. Newspapers were born one after another in Ginza Brick Street, and the information industry was developed. In addition, many cultural figures visited Chuo-ku and drew scenes of Chuo-ku in various works such as novels and plays.

Today, I examined literary people who are closely related to Chuo-ku.

Kitamura Tokoku (Kitamura)

Meiji 1st year-Meiji 27 (1868-1894)

Literary critic and poet. Born in Odawara. In 1880 (1880), he moved to Tokyo Yazaemon-cho, Kyobashi-ku (currently Ginza 4-chome, Chuo-ku). Transferred to Yasuaki Elementary School. He is involved in the liberal rights movement set in Ginza. 1889 (1889) Announced "Shu Prison's Poet" and "Renna Song". Participated in the creation of the "Literature World" and presented numerous criticisms such as "Internal Life Theory".

Toson Shimazaki (Shimazaki)

Meiji 5-Showa 18 (1872-1943)

Poet and novelist. Born in the house of Shoya in Nagano Prefecture. In 1881 (1881), he moved to Yariya-cho, Kyobashi-ku (currently Ginza 4-chome, Chuo-ku). He studied at Yasuaki Elementary School and graduated from Meiji Gakuin. Through the activities of the literary world, he learned Kitamura Toya and was deeply influenced. From 1907 (1907) to the following year, "Spring" was written at Kaikaikan (currently Tsukuda 3-chome, Chuo-ku), and his representative work "Before Dawn" was performed at Tsukiji Small Theater.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Ryunosuke

Meiji 25-Showa 2 (1892-1927)

Noveler. Born in a milk ranch in 8-chome, Irifune-cho, Kyobashi-ku (currently Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku). Soon after birth, he moved to his mother's home in Honjo Ward. Graduated from Tokyo Imperial University. Entered the gate of Soseki Natsume and became a doujin of the third and fourth "Shinshicho". Representative works include "Rashomon", "Nas", "Hell thread", "Kappa".

Torahiko Koori (Koori Torahiko)

Meiji 23-Daisho 13 (1890-1924)

Playwright. Born in Minami Hatchobori 3-chome, Kyobashi-ku (currently Minato 1-chome, Chuo-ku). He entered the English Department of Tokyo Imperial University from Gakushuin. "Shirakaba." In 1913 (1913), "Dojo-ji Temple" will be performed at Jiyu Theater. He traveled to Europe and wrote "Tetsuwa" and "Yoshichoki". It was performed in London and gained popularity.

Bosha Kawabata (Kawabata)

Meiji 30-Showa 16 (1897-1941)

A poet. Born in 2-chome Kakigaracho, Nihonbashi-ku (currently Nihonbashi Ningyocho 2-chome, Chuo-ku). He became a painter and studied under Ryusei Kishida. Because of his illness, he devoted himself to Haiku and studied under Kyoshi Takahama. "grayheaded cuckoo," he said. There are "Bosha Kawabata Kushu", "Kagon" and "Shirachi" in the haiku collection.

Kayo Yamagishi (Kayo Yamagishi)

Meiji 9-Showa 20 (1876-1945)

Noveler. Born in Aburamachi, Nihonbashi-ku (currently Nihonbashiodenmacho). He went to Tokyo College of Technology (the predecessor of Waseda University) and studied under Shoyo Tsubouchi. Later he entered the gate of Koyo Ozaki. "Ikuriyusha" is the same person. Announced "Nihonbashi Literature" based on the townscape where he was born and raised, such as wholesale district and geisha district. "The beginning of service", "the temperament of this life", etc. Later, he worked for the Yomiuri Shimbun as a commentator.

Shigure Hasegawa (Shigure Hasegawa)

Meiji 12-Showa 16 (1879-1941)

Kabuki screenwriter, legendary writer, novelist, essayist. Born in Aburamachi, Nihonbashi-ku (currently Nihonbashiodenmacho). Debuted in 1905 (1905) with "Umishione". He builds his position in the biography of women. In 1933 (1933), he published the magazine "Keiku" and sent many female writers and critics to the world. In his essay, "Old Mon Nihonbashi" is a masterpiece.

Kanajo Hasegawa (Hasegawa)

Meiji 19-Showa 44 (1887-1969)

A poet. Born in Honishi-cho, Nihonbashi-ku (currently Nihonbashi 2-chome). Supports the magazine "Kareno" presided over by her husband, Kaizo Tomita (Reiyoshi Hasegawa). He studied under Kyoshi Takahama. In 1930 (1930), he launched "Suimei" and became a pioneer of female poets. The phrasebook includes "Ametsuki" and "Lake Flute", and the essays include "Koyuki" and "Yukiki".

Junichirou Tanizaki (Tanizaki)

Meiji 19-Showa 40 (1886-1965)

Born in Kakigara-cho, Nihonbashi-ku (currently Nihonbashi Ningyocho 1-chome, Chuo-ku). He studied at Sakamoto Elementary School. Representative works such as "tattoo", "love of chijin", and "Shunkinsho", which are considered to be aesthetics. He also published naturalist literature and modern translations of The Tale of Genji. "Hosoyuki" published after the war is considered to be the ultimate in Tanizaki literature.

Michizo Tachihara (Michizo Tachihara)

Taisho 3-Showa 14 (1914-1939)

A poet. Architect. Born in 3-chome, Tachibanacho, Nihonbashi-ku (currently Nihonbashi Hisamatsucho, Chuo-ku). He studied at Hisamatsu Elementary School and graduated from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo Imperial University. I liked tanka poetry since I was a teenager and was influenced by Tatsuo Hori. Participated in the first publication of the poetry magazine "Shiki". Announced a collection of poems "Some by Kayakusa" and "Poetry of dawn and evening". Received the 1st Chuya Nakahara Award.


He was born and raised in Chuo-ku and represents the times.

It was interesting to note that literary activities that pioneered the times were unfolded here in Chuo-ku, as well as that each literary person was connected in Chuo-ku.

In addition, many works were born in Chuo-ku, and the appearance of the town at that time is alive in the story, and conveys the scene now. It remains in many films, not only in novels and plays, but also in films.

(The photo shows the "Kitamura Toya / Toson Shimazaki Monument" built at Yasuaki Elementary School and Yanagi Nisei in Ginza)

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 34 February 11, 2019

 

 

Hello, this is Minato kid.

There are a variety of public things on the sidewalk. Not only town information boards and monuments, but also if you look up a little, signs, traffic lights, curve mirrors, etc. that protect the safety of pedestrians, and if you look at your feet, you will be drawn on manhole patterns and pavement tiles The pictures will catch our eyes and delight us.

Today, even in such a situation, I collected illustrations with nostalgic touches and retro ones with rare modeling.

♪　Various information boards

This is a tourist information board found on the sidewalk of Tsukuda Nakadori. Handwritten pictures and letters will be fun just by looking at them! Under the title of "Tsukuda / Tsukishima Walking Map", here we introduce Tsukuda Island is the birthplace of Tsukudani, River City 21, Ishikawajima Lighthouse Ruins, etc., and Monja Street, Tsukishima Kannon, a little further We stretch and guide Kachidokibashi.

This is the Sumida River Terrace. This panel is installed on the wall on the sidewalk at Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge. Introducing creatures gathering on the terrace, such as fish and wild birds, and how the water quality deteriorated in the 1930s improved using graphs. The graph part is open and closed.

♪　Flower bed on the sidewalk

A green plate with the word "flower azalea of the ward" stands on the flower bed on the sidewalk. It looks like it was installed in the city. It's a plate that you don't see much now, so it may be a long time ago. It is the same type, and the right is the "tree of the ward".

♪　This and so on

This mark was found on Namiki-dori St. in Ginza, which is prohibited from poisting. This is embedded in the pavement of the sidewalk. Currently, the design is different from the mark seen on the sidewalk in Chuo-ku, so it may be a long time ago.

It is a plate that calls for dog manners, often installed on pillars on the sidewalk and concrete walls. It states, "Please connect when walking" and "Let's bring back dog droppings properly."


It's a bit hard to see, but this is a sharp picture touch, saying, "Let's keep your dog connected" and "don't forget registration and vaccination."

It is a signboard that prohibits ball play, installed in Tsukuda Park. I like an illustration with a nostalgic feeling!

This is a precautionary note installed on the Sumida River Terrace and the protective fence. Requests to terrace users include the precautions for walking dogs, not entering the planting, and not throwing away garbage. The illustration of the dog is cute.

♪　A lot of water

It is a water supply installed in a park in the Minato area. The shape of the stump is fairy tale. The table on which children ride when drinking water is also a small stump. The iron fence part has a wooden pattern and is quite elaborate. This worried design doesn't fade over time.

It's the water supply of Tsukuda moat. The iron fence is shaped like a pigeon.

It is a water supply installed in a park in the Tsukuda area. It looks like a potted plant. There is a plate called "Please cooperate with water saving Chuo-ku". The season is coming.

♪　Astringent

It is a well found along the Shin-ohashi-dori St. The manufacturer could not be identified, but various wells can be found in various parts of Chuo-ku. Wells have trademarks and numbers, but there are so many types, so it's interesting to compare them.

This is a bulletin board on the sidewalk found in the Tsukishima area. The notice part is green board and the eaves are also wooden. Nowadays, there are not many wooden bulletin boards left. It's very valuable.

This is a public telephone installed in a park in the Minato area. The round roof is illuminated, and the door is attached to the table where the telephone is installed. Recently, the number of public telephones has decreased. The appearance feels nostalgic, but the phone inside is relatively new.

It is a stone fire prevention water tub found in each area of Chuo-ku. Fire tubs are often placed in front of the entrance of the house. A long time ago, we stored water here in case of emergency.

"When the sparks flew in the air raid, I drained water from the tub and went home so that it would not cause a fire," said a local person.

※　The fire prevention water tub I met this time contained the personal name, so I will introduce it with illustrations. Thank you for your understanding.

♪　Stylish object

It is a clock tower located on a terrace in the Nihonbashi Hakozaki area.

There's a cute object on the top. There's a small child on the helicopter.

This is a clock tower built in commemoration of the expansion and maintenance of the Sumida River Terrace when the construction of the Eidan Hanzomon Line was carried out in 2001.

♪　Flowers of local people

As an old landscape of Chuo-ku, you can see many potted plants lined up at the eaves.

In areas where private houses are dense and there is little green, it seems that it was customary to put potted plants in order to feel the flowers as close as possible. In addition to such potted plants, you can also see flower beds grown in the town council.

When you see the flowers blooming beautifully, you feel like there is a smile of people there, and we walking naturally feel fun. The sidewalk in Chuo-ku is interesting!

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association

No. 34 January 29, 2019