Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

This series, which tells episodes related to railways in Chuo-ku, is scheduled for two more times including this time. I would appreciate it if you could see it until the end.

This time it's a little extra edition. For it's not a real train. The leading role this time is "railway model". It can be said that it is a slightly expensive adult collection that is irresistible for those who like it.　

When I was a junior high school student, I was looking forward to lay the HO gauge rails in the living room and run the train. Even at that time, I remember that it was a price that children couldn't afford. By the way, the HO gauge is the size of "16.5 mm in gauge", and the vehicle is generally considered to be 1/87 on a scale. In the first half of the 20th century, it became the mainstream of railway models in the world.

Nowadays, even smaller sizes and affordable N gauges (9mm gauges) are becoming popular, but they are still good for texture, powerful, and the appeal of HO gauges is not faded.

 It is quite brave to see the train running on the HO gauge rails.

There is a shop in Ginza, Chuo-ku, which can be called the mecca of such a longing railway model.
I know [Tenshodo].

Originally, it started as an Infusa store, and after the war, it was said that the manufacture and sale of railway models began in 1949. I heard that it was the president's hobby at that time.　

It is said that Tenshodo's railway model has excellent quality, so it was initially attracted more attention from overseas. In fact, the details were well made, and when I was a child, I wanted a model made by Tenshodo. Finally, I got the EF65 series electric locomotive. I was impressed at that time.

Even now, when you enter the Tenshodo building, enthusiasts come constantly. Popular items are limited express trains, railcars, sleepers, etc. in the colors of the Japanese National Railways. Each person has its own preference, and the railway discussion is not stopped in the store.

Another thing I would like to see is the lovely angel statue standing at the end of the building. It is said that it was installed as a symbol during the renewal in 1997. It looks like you can see the feelings of model railway fans who still keep following the boy's dreams.

As another famous spot in Chuo-ku, we introduced "railway model hall of fame".

More Chuo-ku Railway Monogatari <Part 8> "A longing railway model"

　Founded in Osaka in 1783 during the Edo period, opened an Edo store near the current location around the end of the Tokugawa period, relocated to this location in the early Meiji era, and continues to this day.

　More than 300 kinds of products such as scissors, haircuts, kitchen knives, etc. If you bring a knife with a sharp cut, it will respond to the sharpening. The doll writer, Jusaburo Tsujimura, also uses these scissors.

　The name "Ubukeya" comes from the fact that the baby's bubbly hair can be shaved. The current "Chichibasami" entered the Meiji era, and the number of dressmaking increased and it was difficult for the Japanese scissors to be cut, so the fifth generation of this shop made the prototype.

　The current store was built after the Great Kanto Earthquake and survived the Great Tokyo Air Raid.

Tadashi Kawamata's project "Tokyo In Progress", which introduced "under construction" in Paris in an article a week ago, has opened today.

As you climb up the slope made of wood, you will reach the Wood Terrace.

I'm glad that there is a bench.

　View from the terrace (toward Tokyo Sky Tree) 

The flowers in the crocus field are really beautiful with more numbers in the past week.

It's going to be a very popular spot.

This month is just one year from Great East Japan Earthquake. Various projects and activities are being carried out in various places.
Today, I went to one of them, a series of exhibitions called "Remembrance 3.11" held at Nikon Salon in Ginza. In Remembrance 3.11, from February 24 to March 26, we are supporting reconstruction with the power of photography through the works of eight photographers, special exhibition and five symposiums.

From March 14th to 20th, Taku Arai's photo exhibition "Here and There: Tomorrow's Island" Since last year, Arai has visited Fukushima and its surroundings many times and photographed one by one.

The daguerreotype is the world's first practical photography technology that began in the first half of the 19th century. It is said that a silver plate polished on a complete mirror surface is photographed directly in a camera and developed with mercury vapor. (From the article by Mr. Arai himself published in the March 21 issue of Newsweek Japan.)

When you enter the venue and stand in front of the work, you can appreciate each and every work with the lights. The expressions of people and animals staring at this, appearing in the illuminated venue. Some backgrounds of the work were very wide and empty. Before the earthquake, there must have been various buildings and landscapes here.

The characteristics of the daguerreotype are that they cannot be replicated and that the left and right sides of the image are inverted. We are beings that no one can replicate. And the image of the left and right reversal that we usually see is myself in the mirror. Arai's work is also a mirror that conveys the hearts of the viewer.

Here and There - Tomorrow's Island Taku Arai Photo Exhibition
Venue: Ginza Nikon Salon (in Nikon Plaza Ginza 7-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku)
Period: From 10:30 to 18:30 until March 20 (until 15:00 on the last day)

I went to Kaneko Hannosuke store, which was aired several times on TV. It was open at 11:00 AM, but arrived at 10:20. It was the seventh. Maybe there are few customers because it's a small bran rain?　At 10:40 there were 24 people, and at 10:50 there were 42 people. Is it a little cold? The temperature was thought to be. The shop side prepares two electric stoves tea. Open at 11:00. It is a small and beautiful shop with 6 seats on the 1st floor counter and 14 seats on the 2nd floor.

The menu is only 880 yen. Choose the amount of rice from the small amount (200g), normal (300g) large amount (additional 100 yen). Miso soup is 100 yen. There are two types of chopstick rest: burdock and radish. The tea is black bean tea. I'd like to see how the egg tempura is given. Tendon is as expected, but it's fine. It was delicious. It is designed to prevent the bowl from getting cold. When I finished eating, 70 people were lined up at 11:40. If you have time and like tempura, it's a must-see!

Do you know the fun art gallery called "btf (butterfly stroke)" in Kachidoki?

Originally it was a warehouse, so the entrance may be a bit difficult to understand, but it looks like a warehouse gallery in the Brooklyn Dumbo district of New York. The staff members were also very friendly, and despite suddenly visiting and asking for a photo shoot, they accepted with a smile. Thank you very much, Mr. Chishima!

When you enter, there are a lot of fun and pop works lined up, and just looking at them will make you feel excited.

There are teeth in the toilet, and sardines on the bottom of boots ...

If you think about it, you can see such a nostalgic street scenery.

When I went there, the works of "Enomoto Osamu-san" and "Jose Frankie-san" were on display (until 25th of this month).

When you pass through this hole, you can see Enomoto's picture.

 Enomoto's work, which is reflected on the wall one after another.

Please come and visit us.

Address: 2-8-19 Kachidoki, Chuo-ku Kintomi Building Warehouse 3rd floor (map)
Phone: 03-5144-0330
Website: http://www.shopbtf.com/