Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

[Tsukishima] Of course, it is a place name and a subway station name. The current address [Tsukishima] exists in the area between [Hatsumi Bridge] and [Tsukishima Bridge] in the area from 1 to 4 chome.

As I mentioned a little in the previous chapter, [Tsukishima] in the first place pointed to a wider area. When the plan was formulated in 1883 and the landfill of Tokyo Bay began, the first memorable land was named [Tsukishima No. 1 Reclaimed Land]. After that, the landfill plan proceeded, with [Tsukishima No. 2] (currently Kachidoki 1-4 chome), [Shin Tsukuda Island] (currently part of Tsukuda), [Tsukishima No. 3] (current Kachidoki 5-6 chome), [Tsukishima fishing base] (current Tsukishima 4) (current Tsukimi) (The posted map is as of 1958 (Showa 33))

In other words, apart from Tsukuda, this area was all Tsukishima. Therefore, in order to distinguish these areas, there was no choice but to call them "number of issues", and he learned to call them [No. 2] or [No. 4]. Even now, the old people of the land say [No. 2] and [No. 4]. (The 4th place was named "Harumi-cho" in 1937 (Showa 12))

Later, in 1965 (Showa 40), the display of the house was renewed and became the current place name. The range of place names in [Tsukishima] has been slightly narrowed.

At this time, it was organized into [Tsukishima 1-4-chome], but before that, there were places such as [Tsukishima Street] and [Nishinaka Street], and both sides of the large road were divided into the same town. Was.

In the past, in many downtown areas, it was common to divide both sides of the street into one town. As you can see in the tenement house of the Edo period, the idea of "the three houses next to each other" across the alley was normal. I think it was suitable for the actual sense of life.

The new house indication divided the town based on the concept of "block" in Europe and the United States. For this reason, the opposite of the road became "other towns", and the back-to-back houses became "the same town". It is said that the emphasis was placed on convenience such as mail, but there are places where I wonder if this was good now ...

However, even now, the Neighborhood Association of Tsukishima values the old relationship, divides the town in a form close to the old division, and forms a community under the name of [Tsukishima ○ section] (○ is Chinese numerals).

[Tsukishima] The remnants that were once spacious can be seen in the name of public facilities. [Tsukishima Police Station] is located at [Kachidoki 6-chome], and [Tsukishima Playground] is located at [Harumi]. The location of [Tsukishima Daini Elementary School] is [Kachidoki] and [Tsukishima Daiichi Elementary School] is [Harumi]. In addition, even in private facilities, the photographs taken in the first chapter [The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Tsukishima Branch] (formerly Sanwa Bank) stands in front of Kachidoki Station.

The land of [Tsukishima], which has nurtured history in this way, is now changing dramatically. Old houses are disappearing more and more, and condominiums are starting to stand in the forest. Nevertheless, I would like to cherish the atmosphere of this town that remains.

More The Seven Wonders of Tsukishima-Episode 2 "The Birth of Tsukishima"

In order to rediscover the charm of Tsukishima, we will tell you in a series.

The first one is [Nishinaka-dori]. The name indicates that it is a street that runs through the western center of Tsukishima. Of course, there is also [Higashinaka-dori]. Tsukishima's characteristic is that it is neatly divided into east and west across the main road of Tsukishima [Kiyosumi-dori]. When this area was built 120 years ago, it was divided as a pioneer in a new near-future city plan.

[Nishinaka-dori] is now a lively specialty street lined with Monja ware shops, but it was originally an ordinary shopping street. After the war, local shops were quickly united to form a shopping street, and it has been popular as an area that enriches local life.

[Nishinaka-dori] has become a fashionable theme street with arcades and noren with numbers displayed on blocks. However, if you look up at the roof of the store, you can see the old name and business pattern engraved here and there. More than 20 years ago when I started living for the first time, there are still a number of monjayaki specialty shops, and this street also lined with various shops. The figure at that time remains on the roof. Miso shop, toy shop, western restaurant ... The appearance of those days is remembered.

Speaking of the specialty of this street, "Kusaichi" is held every year in mid-July. In the first place, during this season, shops selling tray tools (hemp trunk, straw mats, grooves, etc.) lined up stalls. (Photos are from 4 years ago)

After that, many stalls lined up like fair. According to the local elders, it was not a [Nishinaka-dori], but a stall was crowded on a road that goes straight to it.

Nowadays, shopping streets and town councils play a central role in the community-led “Handmade fair”. For children, it is one of the pleasures before summer vacation. This year will be held on Saturday, July 14 and 15 (Sun) for two days. Please drop in.

I would like to introduce the town of Tsukishima, which retains such a downtown atmosphere. Thank you very much for your continued support.　

More Tsukishima Seven Wonders-Episode 1 "Nishinaka-dori and Kusaichi"

Akimasa Elementary School, located in Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, is a historic school. In the first place, [Reishijima Hirone Elementary School], which was founded in 1876 (Meiji 9), and [Echizen Hori Hirone Elementary School], founded in 1907 (Meiji 42), became [Akimasa Hirone Elementary School] in 1927 (Showa 4). It has roots in that it was established.

The name "Akimasa" is not based on the place name, but literally named with the hope of "bright and correct".　

 In addition, the attached school building is called the so-called “Reconstruction Elementary School” and was built as a reconstruction project for the school building damaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake that occurred in 1923.

It is a school building that has been popular for a long time, but in the "Chuo-ku Basic Plan 2008", the current school building will be dismantled and rebuilt from this summer as part of the three school renovation plan in the city. These initiatives have come to take place in various places and are called "renovation".

Akimasa Elementary School Renovation Plan

On this 7th (Saturday), a farewell party with the current school building was held, and it was a day to bite off the separation from the memorable school building.

This school building retains a tasteful atmosphere among the schools remaining in Chuo-ku. In particular, this area was called [Reikishi Island] in the old days, and since it was a town with the scent of Edo, it has a strong presence on the street corner that retains an old Japanese atmosphere.　

Akimasa Elementary School seems to be spending a while of goodbye in the moist air during the rainy season. The bronze statue installed in front of the school building is a work called "Symbiosis" by Takeshi Hayashi. It seems to have been made in 1996. What will happen to this statue, which has been watching the growth of children?

Two years later, the school building was reborn and a new cheer echoed in the schoolyard. From there, a new history will be spun again.

We hope that elementary schools, a place for children, who are local treasures, will become even more fulfilling facilities.　

More Akimasa Elementary School, in a New Era