Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
On 20th of this month, I went to "Nihonbashi Ebisu Lecture Bettara City", which was introduced by senior correspondent Shiba Inu.
I was learning about Betara City in the official text of the Chuo-ku Tourism Certification, but
This is the first time I actually went to see it!
I read the news that a very large number of people were expected and went to the site a little earlier, and it was already crowded with many people because it was the second day of the event.



There are many stalls that are often seen at festivals.
The most crowded place was the stalls pickled in Betara.
In the first place, Betazuke is a shallow salted radish pickled on a rice koji floor.
It is a traditional food that has been eaten since the Edo period.



It seems that the fifteenth general Yoshinobu Tokugawa also liked to eat it.
When we think that we are talking about the same thing in modern times, it feels strange.
At the store, you can sample pickled vegetables, etc.
It's fun to go around multiple stores to find your favorite pickles.



When I went around the shop while actually tasting, I was worried about two things.
The first is that no shop should cut the pickles and bag them.
Even though it is soft, it is difficult to bring one radish back as it is.
I was thinking, "I'm somewhat unfriendly."
Actually, there was a great reason to give it without cutting it.
The reason for this is that "betara pickles are lucky items, so I don't cut them."
If you say that, it's a bit hard to bring it home, but I want you not to cut it!



The second is that there are "skin" and "no skin" in Betta pickles.
It's literally the difference between whether the skin is attached or not.
The one with the skin is chewy and has a texture close to Sawaan.
According to the shop, it seems that people without skin have been around since the Edo period.



And there is also a Yu-Pack service that is good for those who buy Betara pickles for adults and those who come from a distance by train!
Why don't you use it when purchasing a lot?



In the Edo period, there was a custom in which Ebisu-ko was held in front of Takarada Ebisu Shrine Gate on October 20. At an event dedicated to Ebisu, the god of commerce and agriculture, he offered lucky items to pray for thriving business.
Today, vermilion seal stamp can be held only during the New Year's Day and Betara City, so many people gather at the shrine and enjoy the atmosphere of the place while thinking, "Is it so crowded at that time?"



Also, if you jump out of the venue of Bettara City and walk around the town of Nihonbashi, you will find it.
The "He" of "Nippon Nihonbashi Karuta" depicted in the enclosure of the construction being carried out at the site of the Nittetsu Nihonbashi Building.
I realized that it was about Betara City!



Let's touch the sleeves of people who go to the city.

Because I carried it with just tying the radish with a rope, I carried it around.
It is a content that reminds me of the origin of Betazuke, which has come to be called "Betazuke" because it inadvertently scratched the clothes of other people.

For women who pass through pickle so that they don't want to keep their kimono dirty.
During the Edo period, when there was a man who was interesting and tried to put on the ground on purpose....
In today's Betara city (unfortunately?) There is no such man, but
If you missed your chance this year, why not come and play next year?


 

 

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
When I went to Nihonbashi Ebisu-ko Betara City, I stopped by a long-established Edo-ya, founded in 1718, which was particularly crowded.
As written on the wall of the building, this shop deals with brushes, etc.
It is this unique appearance that catches your eye before entering the store!


　
This expresses a brush, and it is an architecture that uses the technique of artificial stone washing finish.
If you say that, it's certainly like a brush.
It is a valuable building registered in the country-registered Tangible Cultural Property.
It is also published in the official text of the Chuo-ku Tourism Certification.


　
A lot of brushes and brushes are hung from the ceiling inside the store.
From there, I got a glimpse of traditional techniques that could not be imitated with modern convenient techniques.
In addition, the warmth and taste unique to wooden architecture (built in 1924) is impressive.
　

　
In addition to brushes, toothbrushes and hairbrushes for clothes, shoes, cleaning, makeup, etc.
There are a wide variety of products, including brushes for Japanese calligraphy and brushes for painting.
Isn't it just right as a gift or a souvenir of Chuo-ku?
　

　
I purchased this toothbrush for my family, which was profitable during the period of Betara City.
The brush part has horse hair (softened, normal), pig hair (flat), normal size and large size.
It's different from familiar transparent and white brushes, and it's hard to see elsewhere.
Would you like to try out what kind of polishing it feels like?
　

　
According to the shop, the hair gradually becomes shorter while using it, but it seems that the hair gradually becomes shorter.
It seems that it lasts 3-4 months, long and half a year!
Also, "softening" can be used for gum massage.
　
This shop, which began with the first Ribei, who became a brush master of the Shogun's family in the era of the seventh shogun's family, has been in business for 300 years this year!
This wonderful tradition and technology is a treasure that we want to pass on to the future.
　
■Edoya
Address: 2-16, Nihonbashiodenmacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business hours From 9:00 to 17:00
Regular holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Website: http://www.nihonbashi-edoya.co.jp/
　
※This article has been approved by the person in charge of Edoya.

 

 

Kiyokazuken, a long-established Japanese confectionery shop located in Nihonbashi Horidome-cho. Founded in 1861, Takasugi Shinsaku and Sakamoto Ryoma ran around in the middle of late Tokugawa shogunate!

Dorayaki and chestnut buns are very popular. It is also a sight of every morning that a line in suits is formed to purchase as a souvenir for business partners. How delicious is it? Speaking of which, I think it fits with the "most delicious dorayaki taste" that you think of!

Kiyokazuken sells it once a year around the day of physical education.

Chestnut steamed yokan.

The reason for once a year is that all the processes are handmade by two craftsmen, so only a small amount can be made with a complete reservation. Reservations begin around September.

And this chestnut steamed yokan is here!

It's the presence of this chestnut.

The density of the sauce is thick, but the mouth is smooth and the chestnuts are fluffy.

Because it is soft, if you do not handle it carefully, the shape will collapse.

This is "Kurimushi Yokan"...I'm going to eat it silently. If you like sweet food, please try it by all means....！！ You can have time to think about the coming autumn while drinking tea slowly.

■Click here for the website of "Nihonbashi Wagashiya Kiyokazuken"

■Click here for the annual "Chestnut steamed Yokan".

And in the neighborhood of Hirudome-cho, "Nihonbashi Ebisu Kobetara City" will be held soon.

We are currently preparing.

It's two days, October nineteenth and twentyth. It is a lively city festival that even those who are not interested in pickling can enjoy very much. By making good use of the narrow alleys running vertically and horizontally, the sun goes down and creates a mysterious sight.

Autumn Chuo-ku is full of festivals and events.

Please come and play.

 

 

I've been introducing photo exhibitions and rakugo events on this blog for a long time, but those venues, "Fugensha Book Cafe" (2nd floor of Tsukiji Garden Building, 1-8-4 Tsukiji, 2nd floor of the Tsukiji Garden Building, red on the map below) Has not been introduced, so this time I will introduce mainly to book cafes.

At this Fugen Book Cafe, there are about 5,000 books (), mainly books on art and humanities.

All the books here are available for purchase, and you can also see (read) the books before purchase in the cafe space.

If you are sitting in the cafe space, you will need to order a drink, all 500 yen (tax included) uniform

There are 5 kinds of menu, coffee (Hot/Cold), tea (Hot/Cold), orange juice.

If you order hot coffee and hot tea, you can put it in a cup of your favorite design.

In addition, coffee and tea come with Fugen's original sable.

It is a space where you can spend such a rich time choosing a book while enjoying tea slowly.

By the way, the above two books are books that I tried reading while drinking coffee on the day and purchased.

I'm really grateful to be able to sit down and read the test.

At present, an original painting exhibition is being held here to commemorate the publication of the book "Tsukiyomi" of picture and language by photo critic Kotaro Iizawa.

(Iizawa's work corner)

The period is from Tuesday, October 2 to October 13 (Saturday), and on the evening of October 11, Mr. Iizawa himself will be in the hall.

Please drop in by all means

Business hours are from Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 19:00. Saturday is from 12 to 17 o'clock.

Days, months and holidays are closed.

In addition, we received your consent regarding photography in the store.

Click here for Fugen's website.　⇒

http://fugensha.jp/

Click here for the blog post of the railway rakugokai held here in July this year.　⇒

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