Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Hello!　Today, I would like to introduce some of the alleys that remain in Nihonbashi Muromachi.

　

Speaking of Nihonbashi Muromachi, I think the image of "Chuo-dori" is strong.

This is the main street representing Edo and Tokyo since the Edo period.
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store and Mitsui Main Building (both nationally designated important cultural properties), various long-established stores, etc.
Recently, many local antenna shops are also highlighting.

　

When you enter the east side from this "Chuo-dori"
There are many old alleys left from Nihonbashi Muromachi 1-chome to Nihonbashi Honmachi 1-chome.

(In preparing this map, with the approval of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, we used basic map information issued by the House. (Approval No. 30, No. 225)

The road colored red on the map above becomes the alley.

In many areas of Chuo-ku, reconstruction projects after the Great Kanto Earthquake have developed wide streets and plots, which are the basis of the current city.

If the inside of the block was made up of small houses, a narrow alley (private road) was drawn into the site and it seemed to be an access route to each.

It seems that the urban structure of Edo townspeople's land was in the form of entering an alley from the shops facing the main street and connecting to a back tenement house.

In a sense, the same structure may have been handed down during the modernization of reconstruction after the earthquake.

After that, despite changes in various situations such as war disasters, high economic growth, and recent urban regeneration, they still remain.

　

It is one of the alleys of Muromachi. Instead of Chuo-dori, it has a cityscape with a sense of life.

　

Where the main street is rebuilt into a building, it feels as if you were exploring in the dark.

　

There are many places where plants are placed at the eaves, which delights the eyes.

　

It's a little maniac point of view....

One of the characteristics of the alleys around Nihonbashi is that the drain is located in the middle of the road.

On general roads, drains are provided on both sides of the road, taking into account the passage of vehicles.

Here, the middle of the road becomes a hollow, and water gathers.

It is said that Edo had a sewerage system that drains rainwater and domestic wastewater from that time.

In the alley between the tenement houses, the waterway was flowing in the middle of the road.

Perhaps the drainage ditch in the alleys of Nihonbashi can be said to be a remnant of the sewerage system in the Edo period.

　

Along many alleys, there are various stores, mainly restaurants.
I'm looking forward to finding a hidden famous store.

　

Some of them are always lined up, such as "Kanenosuke Kaneko" in the photo.

　

In writing this article, I walked through the alleys of Muromachi 1-chome to Honmachi 1-chome.

It is also attractive that each alley has a different atmosphere.

I was able to enjoy Nihonbashi even more deeply.

　

Reference:

・Ichiro Kobayashi (2014) "Walking along the alley with Yokocho"

・"Edo Sewer" (Kodaira City homepage)

 

 

　From June 6 (Wed) to 10 (Sun), 2018, the main festival of the Tsukiji Lion Festival will be held once every three years.

　We are looking forward to the tour of Miya portable shrine, male and female lions, but in 2018 we can see even more special events and it will be very exciting!

Male lion

Female lion

　What!　"Miya portable shrine's Ship imperial procession", which was held during the Edo period and has been discontinued until now, is restored! I do it.

Oh, imperial procession under Tsukiji Ohashi...I'd like to see it.....

　On the afternoon of June 8 (Fri.), imperial procession, carrying Miya portable shrine on board.

　Please note that the tour schedule and route are posted on the special website.

　　Special website (http://www.namiyoke.or.jp/shishimaturitokusetsu.html)

　It seems that a TV broadcast is also planned.

　　Tokyo Bay Network (http://www.baynet.ne.jp/)

 

 

"Tsukiji Lion Festival" at Namiki Shrine in Tsukiji. This year is the main festival once every three years, and on June 8, the Funa imperial procession, which was held during the Edo period, will be restored. After going out from Tsukiji Market to the Sumida River for a water festival, proceed along the Tsukiji River, which runs between Hamarikyu and Tsukiji Markets, and imperial procession to Ote-mon gate Bridge in Hamarikyu.

　

A free observation space on the 46th floor of Carletta Shiodome, right above the Ote-mon gate Bridge. I could see Hamarikyu on the right, Tsukiji Market on the left, Sumida River on the top, and Tsukiji River on the middle, portable shrine on the imperial procession.

　

I came down from the 46th floor to the Ote-mon gate Bridge in Hamarikyu. This bridge, which straddles the Tsukiji River, is also called "Nanmon Bridge". In the past, the Tsukiji River and the Shiodome River flowed in the form of contact, but the upstream of each river has been reclaimed. It is only around Hamarikyu that is pouring water, so it is a valuable place where the remnants of the past remain.

　

What kind of landscape was spreading in landfilled and now the highway is running? Let's walk a little along the old river and think about the scenery that used to be near the waterside.

　

　

　

[Along the old Shiodome River]
The area where old railroad crossing traffic lights are left (1). The name of the town here is Ginza, but in the past it was called Kiboricho. At present, this place where the Ginza Post Office is located was a large Renaissance-style building of the Ministry of Communications from the Meiji era to the Taisho era.

It seemed to be facing the Shiodome River and facing the direction of Shimbashi, and there was also a telecommunications museum in the building. Unfortunately, it was burned down in the Great Kanto Earthquake, but in this era there was a waterside landscape that could not be imagined along the current murderous highway.

　

　

　

Sendai Bridge on the Tsukiji River.
It seems to be a bridge that was not in the Meiji Taisho era, and was built as a reconstruction bridge after the Great Kanto Earthquake. In the Edo period, a bridge called "Sendaibashi" was built around here, so it must have been named after that name.

　

The shape was a bridge called a "reconstruction station-type bridge" created by the Reconstruction Bureau, and was a type of bridge that was built on several nearby rivers. Among them, this Sendai Bridge may have been particularly beautiful, and it can be felt by looking at the remaining main pillars and railings. In fact, it seems like that.

Unfortunately, there is a park space on both sides of the bridge, which makes it impossible to see the exterior of the former Sendai Bridge.

　

I would like to think again about why this bridge was built especially beautifully.

　

　

　

Around the Tsukiji River Remains and Mannen Bridge

A statue of the famous dog Tiroli in Tsukiji River Ginza Park near Mannen Bridge. There were many picturesque architectural landscapes in the direction of "Mannen Bridge" and "Uneme Bridge" where Tyroli is facing. It was said that it was located between the foreign settlement in Tsukiji and the brick street in Ginza, so a mixture of Japanese and Western styles was formed. I would like to take a look at it.

　

Before the Great Kanto Earthquake of the Great Kanto Earthquake

From the Tsukiji side, take a look at the Ginza (Kiboricho) side over the Saijo Bridge. The building on the left is the Ginza 6-chome Square Building, which used to be home to Nissan Motor's headquarters. On the right side of Miyuki Street is the Jiji Communication Building (3), which used to be the Ginza Tokyu Hotel building.

During the Taisho era, the large government building of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce (2) was lined up here, and the Tsukiji Seiyoken was lined up to the right (3), and along the Tsukiji River, it looked like a Taisho era romance.

　

"Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce" is a Western architecture called the French classic style, and was designed by Takamasa Shinie in 1891 (Meiji 24). It is said that there was also a product display station where samples were displayed for the purpose of encouraging agriculture, industry and commerce, and played a role as a place for breeding industry policies and public-private cooperation.

　

On the other hand, the place where the next Tsukiji Seiyoken was built was called "Samemachi" at that time. Seiyoken has a long history and opened in 1872 (Meiji 5) at Baba Sanmon in front of the Imperial Palace. However, on the day of the opening, he was burned down by "Ginza Fire", so he moved to Kibiki-cho. The following year, he built a new building in this area of the neighboring town of Saimen, and started full-scale operation of hotels and restaurants.

　

Tsukiji Seiyoken contributed greatly to Civilization and enlightenment in the early Meiji era as a restaurant serving authentic Western cuisine. Considering that it led to the spread of Western cuisine after that, its historical significance was significant.

The building was rebuilt in 1909 (Meiji 42), designed by Jan Lettzel in the Czech Republic, and made the Tsukiji River gorgeous. He is also known as the designer of the Hiroshima Prefectural Product Exhibition Hall, which became the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

　

Unfortunately, along with the neighboring Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, it was destined to be burned down by the Great Kanto Earthquake.

　

　

　

After the Great Kanto Earthquake of Mannen Bridge

Around the Mannen Bridge, the Tokyo Theater opened in 1930 (Showa 5) after the earthquake. It is said that the heavy figure was also proud of this area (4).

Since the nearby Kabukiza was destroyed by fire in the Pacific War, there were times when the East Theater, which survived the disaster, became the center of Kabuki after the war, but it was rebuilt into the current building in 1975 (Showa 50). I have.

　

　

　

"After the Great Kanto Earthquake of the Great Kanto Earthquake"

After the earthquake, Shimbashi Enbujo in Kibiki-cho was completed in 1925 (Daisho 14) next to Saijobashi (5).

Construction started before the earthquake, but the completion was extended due to the effects of the earthquake. It is said that this place was where the Tsukiji River was refracted in a crank shape, and before it was built, dense trees were growing. It is said that the moss was the first "go east."

　

Designed by Eizo Sugawara, also known as the designer of Ginza Lion. On the outer wall, there was a terracotta decoration (decorative decoration) that was popular during the reconstruction period of the earthquake, which was one of the features of this building.

　

It was rebuilt in the current building in 1982 (Showa 57). When you enter the lobby from the front entrance, you will be greeted by a square wooden decorative wall. This is made by copying the pattern of terracotta. Late May is the season of "East Odori" every year, and this year marks the 94th anniversary.

　

　

　

In this way, along the Shiodome River and the Tsukiji River, there was a waterside landscape with architecture that people at the time wanted to make postcards. However, it is really disappointing that we have no choice but to imagine that landscape now.

　

Now, the Metropolitan Expressway runs on the Tsukiji River as if sewing the bottom of the former river, but there is a plan to cover it and make it a large park. If you cover it, you may lose some of the remaining waterside features.

　

However, I would like to think positively that it would be a good thing if we could leave a better landscape for future generations than now.

　

 

 

A number of “Machikado Exhibition Halls” have been established in Chuo-ku, one of which, “Yukata Museum,” is located in an alley close to Ningyocho Station. One day, I made a reservation in advance by telephone before visiting.

This facility has a part of the building of Sankatsu Co., Ltd. as an exhibition hall. The director, Keisaburo Shimizu, was a very calm narrative and carefully talked about the history and traditional techniques of dyeing in Edo. I was allowed to shoot specially.

　

Some of the yukata fabrics that are decorated are wonderful items that make use of the old techniques of the Meiji era. It was Kotaro Shimizu, an exclusive craftsman of Sankatsu, who left the very time-consuming technique of "medium-type dyeing" with certain skills. He later became a living national treasure, but he is the father of the current director.
　
When I asked the director about the origin of the name "Sankatsu", it was said that the founder's name was Hanichi Amano, so he named it "Sankatsu Hanichichi" in Joruri. This work was tailored to Joruri's work based on a suicide incident in Osaka during the Edo period, and until Meiji period it was a popular kyogen that everyone knew.
"Glossy women's clothing" is sometimes performed in Bunraku even today. There is a famous line that appears in the stage of a liquor store. "Where are you going to do this now?"
In the neighborhood of Ningyocho, which has long prospered as a city of puppet ballad drama and Kabuki, it was also a day to feel the taste of such a name.

　

 

 

Summer camellia (also known as Sharanoki) has begun to bloom.

　

The neat white flowers have a very cool atmosphere.

Summer camellia, one of the Rikyu's seven selections, is a one-day flower that blooms in the morning and falls in the evening.

　

The appearance of blooming and scattering beautifully is said to have the meaning of "once-in-a-lifetime encounter".

It really leads to the knowledge of tea ceremony.

Rikyu may have felt this ephemerality and meaning.

◆Chuo-ku: Water and Green Contact Map
　Sumida River Tsukishima Green Road ()
　
◆Rikyu Seven Selections Hana "Yamahoshi" / Past Blog

 

 

Daidenma Honmachi Hon-dori is the old Nikko and Oshu Highway. From Meibashi / Nihonbashi, turn right at the YUITO building.

The monument in this explanation was located in the corner of the parking lot opposite Edoya, but was relocated facing the street.

　You can hear the voice of the bustle of the street, such as a cotton shop.

When you go to the surrounding Takarada Ebisu Inari Shrine, Kodemmacho prison ruins (prison ruins), Sugimori Shrine, etc., we recommend shopping at a long-established store nearby.

Purchase of Japanese paper products at Ozu Washi, http://www.ozuwashi.net/

Shop for brushes and brushes at Edoya, http://www.nihonbashi-edoya.co.jp/

Sen Ibasen, http://www.ibasen.co.jp/sensu.html (Japanese only)

　Please drop in when you go there.　

As a restaurant, "Nihonbashi Funa Kotobukishi" is also nearby, where you can enjoy delicious sushi. http://www.funazushi.info/

　And enjoy a long-established tour of Japanese sweets. Click here for information on Japanese sweets shops in Chuo-ku.

http://www.wagashi.or.jp/tokyo_link/area/chuo.htm