Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog archive

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
In mid-February, I heard that there was a special exhibition that I could not miss for British lovers.
I went to a very quaint gallery in Ginza.
The gallery is a senior correspondent Gimini. ☆Mr. Cricket (2016, 2017, 2018) and Mr. Usako of Tsukuda have also been introduced.
MUSEE GINZA was created by preserving and regenerating modern architecture (retro building) built in 1932!


The entrance is on the left side.

The details of the building itself can be found in the article by Usako Tsukuda, so this time I omitted it.
I would like to introduce you from the places you care about inside the building.

■Entrance to stairs
First of all, press the intercom to open the door.
On the left side of the door is the Palnas Vienna interior, filled with the charm of the Vienna Separation, displayed in the showcase.
And on the wall next to the elongated stairs that stretches in front,
It is decorated with postcards (Sansanmabori, Cafe-Heyday, Occupation Ginza, etc.) that show the state of Ginza for the 90 years that this building has walked.
Each time you climb the stairs, rare historical materials make time slip.



Also, because it is a building in the early Showa era, I found an old Kyobashi Tax Corporation Member Securities in the middle of the stairs!
There are several buildings built in Ginza at the same time.
Even though the exterior is retro, there may not be much left from the time.
Therefore, these casual things are actually rare.



■Observation and Experimental Space
When I visited the gallery, there was a customer who had an aesthetic eye.
We had you show the rooftop before the exhibition.



Normally, the rooftop of buildings is not open to the public.
It seems that installations and performances are also experimentally performed here.
It is a valuable spot where you can see Showa-dori from an open space.



■Special exhibition "The World of British Theater Architecture THE WORLD OF BRITISH THEATER"
After enjoying the rooftop for a while, go to the long-awaited exhibition.
In this exhibition, we will focus on the goodness and historical axis of British theater architecture that flourished at the West End.
On display are 16 copperplate prints excerpted from ancient books that convey its history (published in the early 19th century).


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

The British theater, which is the theme this time, has been updated with the times.
Young people in Japan also visit theaters.
It can be said that traditional Japanese performing arts still have little support from the younger generation.

In addition, it is difficult to use old buildings that have once finished their role in Japan as they are.
It is often demolished and reborn as a new building.
However, Rikihiro Kawasaki, who bought this building, updated the architectural space like the British theater.
We have succeeded in preserving and regenerating the building by giving a new role by taking advantage of the land of Ginza.

In this way, this exhibition is linked to Mr. Kawasaki's idea of preserving the building.
It is said that it is actually used at the subway station in London for this exhibition.
We obtained Stair Nosings (Stair Nosings) from AATi in the United Kingdom, which will be adopted for the first time in Japan, as a custom order after six months of negotiations.
I was surprised because it was installed on the stairs by myself.
This may be because it was originally a construction company in Kyushu.
This hardware is often used in British theater architecture, and one of the highlights is the attention that shines in such details.



And I'm interested in the exhibition, as shown in the figure below (The New Theatre Royal in Hay Market in 1821).
Some of them have a gorgeous and glittering British theater, but that's not the only one!


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

You can see the uniqueness of the era, British culture, and architectural elements everywhere in the illustrations, so your imagination just expands.
For example, this illustration depicting the choir of St Saviour's (January 1, 1814 Robert Wilkinson published).
I get the impression that the clear hymn is echoing throughout the church, but if you look closely at the details, you will find it even more interesting.


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

(The upper part of the photo) Near the ceiling of the pointed arch, which is unique to the Gothic style, is decorated like roses. ：You can see ribs (reinforcement members provided at key points such as board materials to increase the strength of steel structures, and decorations attached to intersections of "ribs").



(Lost left in the photo) Sculpture decoration like an angel
(lower right of the photo) like the Royal Standard

I will omit the details, but in English church architecture, in addition to the distinctive style and stained glass, which are often seen in the eyes.
In this detail, "What is this?" There are charms such as "I'm worried!"

And Mr. Kawasaki says, the most pessimistic work in this exhibition is.
It depicts Drury Lane Theatre, which was fired on the night of February 24, 1809.
At times when evacuation methods and time required for fire extinguishing were different from modern times....
How did the people around you evacuate and what kind of sight did you see?...
I think you can know that from this illustration.


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

The old books handled this time were published by the publisher of Robert Wilkinson (1768-1825), who created the map.
Check not only the illustrations depicting the theater, but also the map.
You can see the records of the fire and where and what occupations lived, so it's interesting to see it.


(A PLAN OF THE FIRE IN BISHOPGATE STREET, part of CORNHILL AND LEADENHALL STREET.)

And this exhibition can also be purchased!
Unlike ordinary antique illustrations, it can be purchased at a very affordable price.
It's also surprising that three illustrations were sold only on the day of the visit.


(Photo courtesy of MUSEE GINZA_KawasakiBrand Design)

I can't introduce all the works on this blog.
You can see old British illustrations that you don't usually see easily.
It's also nice to be able to shoot in the gallery like a British museum.

<Aside> Adolf Loos
Designed by Loth, famous for "art is guilt" (i.e., "progress in culture is to eliminate decoration from daily necessities"), Cafe Muséum is characterized by simple interiors.
The gallery also displays a rare chair with a design similar to the Muzeum chair that was there (available).
This Loth's thought sounds somewhat radical,
It was so simple that some buildings were pointed out by the authorities because they were too simple....
But he later became a pioneer in Modernism architecture, and now he has become Vienna as a representative of the architectural world.

I'm not very familiar with art, but I saw a chair about this cafe Museum.
I feel like I was able to understand a little bit about MUSEE GINZA's vision and stance.
As I mentioned earlier, it is difficult to enter a gallery that does not face the road surface.
I think there are times when I don't notice what is happening in the first place.

However, as you can see in the gallery name, you feel like going to MUSEE (Museum).
I felt like it was an open space where everyone could enjoy art.
And the uniqueness of “MUSEE (Museum)” that appeals to the sensitivity of visitors is the essence of “MUSEE” that appeals to visitors.
It is an art-sensitive land called Ginza, which is embodyed while being updated!

This exhibition, which the owner Kawasaki was particular about, will be held until March 17th.
Please drop in if you are near you.

■MUSEE GINZA Special Exhibition "The World of British Theater Architecture THE WORLD OF BRITISH THEATER"
Venue: MUSEE GINZA (Kawasaki Brand Design Building, 1-20-17 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Date: February 6 (Wednesday)-March 17 (Sunday), 2019 11:30-17:30
Closed: Mon/Tues
Admission fee: Free of charge
Official Website: https://kawasaki-brand-design.com/

※We have received permission for photography and introduction from MUSEE GINZA Kawasaki Brand Design Co., Ltd.

Just a short distance from the station in Kodemmacho, there is a cafe called Harritz. It is a shop where you can enjoy freshly baked additive-free doughnuts, sandwiches, and coffee, and is originally a popular shop in Yoyogiuehara. The Kodemmacho store opened last year. What I recommend at this shop anyway?

Limited drink for each season!

The image is a mint chocolate from the previous series, and it was a healing drink where you can slowly see the colors mixed together as well as refreshing and delicious. Right now↓

It's rose chocolate. It has a strong rose flavor and is not too sweet and gentle to remind you of spring.

There are many fans in the beautiful, original and healthy limited drinks, and I'm really looking forward to what the next series will be.

There are a wide variety of donuts, rice-based sandwiches are also substantial, and the price is reasonable. The inside of the store is calm and the toilet is spacious and beautiful (important!) 。

There is a free paper called Harritsu, which is also a very interesting content.

Click here for the official website. →　haritts donuts & coffee

[Tue-Saturday] 9:30-17:30 (for the time being)　
[Closed holiday] Sunday and Monday
9-2, Nihonbashi-Daidenmacho, Chuo-ku Blanton University Temmacho 1st floor

At the foot of Chuo-ohashi Bridge in Shinkawa Park, three Kawazu cherry trees, famous for their early blooming, are planted, and the flowers have begun to bloom again this year. Unlike Yoshino cherry tree, you can enjoy dark pink flowers for a month. Kawazu cherry blossoms were discovered by accident in Kawazu-cho, the southern shore of Izu Peninsula in 1955.

By the way, this Kawazu cherry tree is famous in the Tokyo metropolitan area is "Shinkawa Senbonzakura" in Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture. It seems that about 700 Kawazu cherry trees are located along the river called Shinkawa over 4.2 km, and it is the same "Shinkawa", but this is three in Chuo-ku. However, many people stop every year and see the flowering condition, and it is loved by local people.

At the Hatchobori side of Takahashi over the Kamejima River, about a 5-minute walk from here, the area around Inari Bridge over the reclaimed Sakuragawa River has become a little Shinsui-Koen Park in recent years, and Kawazu cherry blossoms have been planted there as well.

Did you plant it in connection with Sakuragawa, which has just left a name at the pumping station now?

By the way, Sakuragawa used to be called Hatchobori in the past, and was the digging that was the origin of the current town name.

In both Shinkawa Park and Hatchobori, Yoshino cherry tree is planted in the children's park on the opposite side of the Kamejima River, and it seems that the overture of the cherry blossoms following Kawazu Sakura and Yoshino cherry tree began to play.

Good evening. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
The other day, on the way back to the seasonal waterfront course by bicycle.
Coincidentally a cute shop was caught in my eyes and I've been detouring!



This shop, which is wonderful even at night, is a flower shop FANCY FLOWER STORE.
It has a different atmosphere from other flower shops, and it is elaborate on the display.
It looks like a reference for gardening.



We handle houseplants, flowers, and preserved flowers.
If you look closely, you will find even cooking herbs, and it will be fun just by looking at them.



However, as you can see in the picture, it's not just cute!
At this counter, which is attached to the flower shop, you can purchase special drinks.



The menu includes green smoothies with cold prevention and beautiful skin effects, daily smoothies.
And non-sugar winter-only HOT lemonade using domestic lemons.



The sweetness of nature that cannot be reproduced with commercially available lemonade is gentle.
It also served as a supplement to vitamins, and it was delicious.



If Mr. Itoya's lemonade is a stationery store's lemonade.
This is a flower shop's lemonade
Perhaps because it was a job that values the scent of flowers, I felt that the scent of lemonade was excellent.



Why don't you stop by when you come nearby?

■FANCY FLOWER STORE
Address: 6-18-3 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Swan Lake Tsukiji 1 and 2F
TEL: 03-3547-3360
Business hours 10：00～19：00
Regular holidays: Day/holiday
Website: https: //0870fancy.com/

※We have received permission for shooting and introduction from the shop.

This is an introduction of an exhibition that also serves as an advertisement.　After retirement, I draw watercolors using pens as a hobby.　I go out to the suburbs of Tokyo once a month with less than 20 people, and once a year I have an exhibition of everyone at the gallery in Kyobashi.

This is a gallery near "Chuo-ku Tourist Information Center" (@ Kyobashi Edgran). Please take a peek at the foot that has stopped by the center.　The event will be held from Monday, February 25 to March 3 (Sun).