Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Do you know the community cycle that takes place in Chuo-ku, Chiyoda-ku, Minato-ku, and Koto-ku?

The Community Cycle is a bicycle rental that allows you to rent and return bicycles at any of the cycle ports in the four wards.

 

There are 27 cycle ports in Chuo-ku alone.

 

This bicycle rental I was very worried about! I used it for the first time.

First of all, membership registration on a PC or mobile ... It's easy to enter your name, payment method, e-mail address, etc.

When I went to the cycle port, there were bright red bicycles!

I am glad that all bicycles are equipped with electric assist.

 

Enter the passcode into the operation panel on the bicycle!

Then the electronic lock will be automatically released, and you will start using it immediately!

 

I passed through Harumi and headed toward Odaiba, crossed the Rainbow Bridge (you have to push your bicycle ...) and cycling around Tsukiji.

It's Chuo-ku from Rainbow Bridge.

 

Chuo-ku is full of trains and buses, but it's a refreshing season so it's pleasant to ride a bicycle.

 

　Chuo-ku Community Cycle Official HP →　http://docomo-cycle.jp/chuo/

 

 

 

　Oita time has passed, but on March 12, a tour limited to correspondents of Chuo-ku Tourism Association on March 12
"Let's learn the vaudeville characters from Master Tachibana rightmon!" I've been participating in this event and have shown intellectual curiosity.
I'd like to write on my blog so that I don't forget it.

　The venue is the Yomiuri IS building in Ningyocho, which is called Ningyocho Suehiro until 1970.
It's the place where there was a vaudeville.
Since it was the place where Ningyocho Suehiro was located, the Yomiuri IS Building has been around since 2011.
It seems that "Yomiuri Aies Rakugo" is held once a year.

　

　

　

　By the way, it is a vaudeville character, but this is one of the four Edo characters.
It is a character that decorates the world of rakugo as if you read it.
The four Edo characters are the Kantei-ryu, which is used in Kabuki, sumo wrestling, and shrines.
There are "Edo characters" in a narrow sense that are used in Sensha bills and Japanese lantern, etc.
(in a broad sense) It seems to be called "Edo character".
※Only Kabuki's Kantei-ryu is a name for the school as "XX-ryu", so please explain the explanation of the teacher right gate.
After hearing, I was finally able to organize "Edo characters four" in my head.

　Edo character (wide sense) - Yoseki character (for yoseki)
　　　　　　　　―Kantei-ryu (for Kabuki)
　　　　　　　　―Sumo character (for sumo)
　　　　　　　　―Edo character (narrow sense: Senshafuda)

　The features of the vaudeville characters are 1 brush thickness, 2 rising right, 3 small margins, 4 roundness, and 5 rounds.
That said, "customers are vaudents without gaps" and "industry is rising to the right"
I'm going to do it.

In addition, the origin of the vaudeville characters is the Konya craftsman named Eijiro (Eijiro) in Tenpo 7 (1836).
It seems to be a typeface called "vira character" made by eclecticing Japanese lantern character and Kantei style.
The leaflet was so called because it was used for the vaudeville.

After that, "Bira Kiyo" and "Birashin" wrote leaflet characters, but they were masters of leaflet characters.
After the death of the second generation Villa Tatsuno, who was called, Ukon Tachibana was influenced by the villa character, and added ingenuity.
It seems that he has established the "Yoseki character".

The current vaudeville characters are said to have been handed down to the orthodox by the Tachibana style vaudeville characters.
Umon Master is the 16th direct disciple of Iemoto Ukon Tachibana (above).
(Because Master Ukon has died), he will be the last disciple.

On the tour, there was also an experience of actually writing vaudeville characters myself.
Of course, the vaudeville characters (although I think other Edo characters are probably the same) are written with brush and ink.
But it's completely different from calligraphy.
The calligraphy is written with the elbow raised (floating), but the vaudeville characters are like a pencil with the back of the hand on the desk.
I'll write it on. Also, the writing order is different from the calligraphy one, and the font has changed.
It looks like a completely different kanji. According to the teacher, "painting" rather than "writing"
He said it was a "draw" sensation.

I will put the example character and the character I wrote in the picture.
"I'm writing just one. 。 。 。 。 The upper two in the third row from the left are the teacher's character.)
(The other characters are written only "4" and "5", but the teacher who says "First from the horizontal bar"
　I followed the teachings and practiced "one" in a straightforward manner.)

Photo of vaudeville characters (example)

　

Photo of vaudeville characters (for your own)

　　
It would be boring if the only letters I wrote on the tour were my own, so Mr.
The following is a handwritten vaudeville characters written on the spot as demonstration.
Please take a look at the beautiful and powerful characters of the Tachibana-ryu Honke.
According to the teacher, some of the women who saw the letters are fainted by the beauty.
The female participants this time seemed to have barely escaped the faintness.

　

　

　Also, I often use the font of the computer to "Yoseki character font"
I think there are things like this, but these are not really "vaude characters" in the true sense.
It was drawn by a font designer in a similar way.
It cannot be called "Yoseki character". Please be careful. (From the teacher)

　
After all, the actual "vaudeville characters" are "spaces" and "thick brushes" on a specific space such as paper.
A human being actually painted beautifully with a brush, conscious of "stretching right".
I understand that there is a taste.

　

　Throughout the course, when you look at Edo characters in the city, as well as the vaudeville characters, what are the differences?
I became aware of it. Thank you very much for your precious tour.

　

 

 

I went to Ningyocho Kameido, a famous shop for tiled rice crackers.

It's on your right, tens of meters from the intersection of amazake Yokocho toward Hamacho Park.　

One of the most famous and established Japanese confectionery is Kawarasenbei made and sold at Ningyocho Kameido.　The head store is located along Amazake Yokocho Street.

In fact, tiled rice crackers weren't my favorite.　However, the concept was overturned after receiving the tiled rice cracker of Ningyocho Kameido. What have you eaten so far? Why is it so different? When I suddenly hit the simple question with the president, Mr. Sasaki, he answered with a full smile.

"We are stubbornly obeying the manufacturing method that has been founded.　No ingredients other than sugar, flour, eggs or honey are used.　In addition, no preservatives will be used, and puppet ware in bags after 3 days will be removed from the store. "　Protecting tradition and thorough quality control seemed to be the secret of deliciousness.　It's like this to protect the curtains.

For long time, Kawarasenbei, which is the nomenclature of the traditional japanese bisquit, was not one of my favorite sweets, but after I have experienced Kameido's delicacy, my whole image of this bisquit have changed.  What have I been eating before? Why is this so good and special? 

Mr. Kenji Sasaki, the president of the company gave me an answer distinctly and that is;

"We have not changed the recipe ever since company's foundation.  We only use sugar, flour, egg, and honey.  No preservative included and no display if the product (packed ningyoyaki) is over 3 days."

So, traditional recipe and strict quality control may be the key points.

And the president told me the origin of Ningyocho Kamei-do.

In 1873, Kamei-do Sohonten, which was founded in Kobe Motomachi, was assigned to the first Ningyocho Sasaki family, an old house living in Tokyo since the early Edo period in 1929. The master of Kamei-do, Akiha Sasaki Genpatsu.　It is the grandson of Sasaki Shoin who wrote the name of the bridge of the main pillar of Kyobashi.

In addition, Shinano Kamiakinobu, the father of Sasaki Branch, was the heavyweight of late Tokugawa shogunate and a large flagship book.

The first Kameido store, famous for its product Kawarasenbei, had started its business in Kobe in 1874.  In 1927, Mr. Sasaki's grandfather Genpatsu Sasaki was given privilege to use the name "Kameido" and start a business of his own in Tokyo after many years of training. 

Genpatsu's grandfather was Shiin Sasaki who is famous for the calligraphy of the Kyobashi bridge pillar.

Genpatsu's great grandfather, Shinanonokami Akinobu who was great grandfather of Genpatsu was high ranked magistrate during Edo era.

 

 

Morning Daio Shinano Moriaki (Chosandaifushina no Kamiakinobu)

At the end of the Tokugawa period, he served as Edo Nambokucho magistrate and foreign magistrates, and his name magistrate can be known through rakugo "Sasaki Masadan".

In addition, the mission of the Imperial Court, which proclaims Shinano Mamoru from the Imperial Court, is listed at the head office.　

It is the great-grandfather of Ningyocho Kameido's first store owner, Genpatsu.

Shinanonokami Akinobu

During Edo era, Akinobu was high ranked magistrate bugyo in charge of finance, law, and foreign affairs. His management competence is known through Rakuko (Japanese comic story), "Sasaki Seidan (political talk) ".  He was honored by Emperor as Shinannookami.  The written imperial order can be seen at Ningyocho Kamiedo.

Akinobu is the great grandfather of the founder of Ningyocho Kameido, Genpatsu Sasaki.

Sasakishiin

He is the eldest son of Moriaki Shinano, a Chinese scholar and poet.　The main pillar of the calligraphy "Kyobashi" still gives the personality of Ginza Chuo-dori as the "Kyobashi Monument" and is designated as the ward Tangible Cultural Property in Chuo-ku.

This is the grandfather of Kenpatsu.

Shiin Sasaki

The firstborn son of Akinobu who was scholar and poet. The name of the Kyobashi bridge engraved on the pillar of the bridge which is registered as tangible cultural asset of the city of Chuo-ku, had been written by Shiin.

Shiin is the grandfather of the founder of Ningyocho Kamiedo, Genpatsu Sasaki.

Akira Sasaki (Sasaki)

The first owner of Ningyocho Kamei-do.　A cheerful boy who went to service from an early age while being a samurai, ran through the turbulent era such as confusion after the shogunate's dissolution, the Great East Japan Earthquake of the Taisho era, and the Great War of Showa with his wisdom and genius.　Recognized by the founder of the Kamei-do Sohonke in Kobe and the owner of Ueno Kamei-do, he is entrusted with one store.　"~ Kamei-do Monogatari-Tokyo Shitamachi Story" is a record document written by Masaha Sasaki, the third son of Akira, from his father, and details the cityscape at that time and the historical facts from the latter half of the Meiji era to the high economic growth period of Showa. It is a book that can be enjoyed as a historical book.

Akira is the grandfather of the current president.　

Genpatsu Sasaki

The founder of Ningyocho Kameido.  Though born in noble family, Genpatsu had to make a living after the great reform of the government.  He had gone through the confusion of Meiji era, survived the great earthquake of Taisho era, and lived through the World War of Showa era, and won his success with his wit and talent.  After years of training, he was given privilege to use the name "Kameido" and start his own business in Tokyo.   Genpatsu's biography "Kameido Story" written by his third son can also be enjoyed as a history book which also writes about the culture and historical events from Meiji to Showa.

Genpatsu is the grandfather of Mr. Kenji Sasaki, now president of the company.

Ningyocho Kameido's tile crackers and Ningyo-yaki are made on the 3rd and 6th floors of the head office building, and you can always buy freshly made items.　And the tile rice crackers are light, easy to carry, and can be stored at room temperature for 3 months, so they are useful as gifts regardless of the season.　There is no need to worry about moisture because the tiled rice crackers are packaged in small pieces of 2-3 pieces.　In addition, persimmon peanuts made from domestic peanuts born from the president's idea are very popular, and some customers buy them in bulk.　Since it is not mass-produced to maintain quality, it is recommended that you go to buy it as soon as possible.

Kawarasenbei (japanese bisquit) and Ningyoyaki (sponge cake filled with red bean paste) are freshly made at the upper floor of the store. Kawarasenbei is made without any perservative, neverthelesss keeps at least for two months. It is wrapped in a small portion to avoid moist.  Since Kawarasenbei is so light to carry, many people buy them for souvenirs. 

The current popular selling line is Kakipea (peanuts and spicy rice crackers mix) using peanut only made in Japan, which came through the idea of Mr. Sasaki.  Since it is so crispy and good, some customers buy them in bulk.  To keep the good quality of the product, Kakipea is not produced in large quantitiesass, so if you buy them, visiting the store in early hours is recommended.

The number of items is abundant, so you may get lost, but you can advise on how to choose according to the application.

Varieties of products are displayed, but you can have an appropriate advice at the store.

<Supplement>

(From "~ Kamei-do Monogatata ~ Tokyo Shitamachi Story")

Quote from "Kameido Story"

*************************************************************

Around this time, Junichirou Tanizaki and Mrs. Matsuko came to shop.　Tanizaki, wearing a black inverness, did not enter the store, stood at the end of the sidewalk, looked up at the signboard of the store, and sometimes looked into the store, but Mrs. Matsuko was close to the store and talked in various ways.

In these days, *Junichiro Tanizaki visited the store with his wife Matsuko.  He wore black inverness coat, did not get in to the store but stood at the edge of the sidewalk, looking up at the signboard, sometimes peeking inside.  Matsuko walked in and chatted with the shopkeeper.

*Junichiro Tanizaki: Japanese author, one of the major writers of modern Japanese literature.

*************************************************************

I'm a little glad if Mrs. Junichiro Tanizaki had a tiled rice cracker at home or brought it somewhere as a souvenir, and I think it's the same taste as at that time.

Did Tanizaki and his wife tasted the sweets at home or did they brought it to someone as a souveniour?  Kawarasenbei that you can have now tastes as same as their time.

Mr. Sasaki, thank you very much.　

Please keep sending delicious sweets to the world forever.

Thank you very much Mr. Sasaki!

A great appreciation for the great story.

 

 

 

At Chanogi Shrine (in the premises of Rigare Nihonbashi Ningyocho), the ninth tea ceremony was held on Sunday, May 1 of "88 Nights" counting from Ritsuharu.

　　

　　

　 

After the ceremony, tasting of new tea (Kagoshima, Uji, Shizuoka) and mini-lectures by the Japan Tea Instructors Association were also held.

　　

We enjoyed this year's new tea (three kinds) in fine weather in May.

 

<History of Chanogi Shrine>

In the Tokugawa period, Inari, who was enshrined as a guardian deity in the Nakayashiki of the Shimousa Sakura feudal lord Hotta family, was the origin of Chanogi Shrine. At that time, the tea tree that was planted around the shrine is the origin of the name of the shrine, but tea trees are still planted at Chanogi Shrine on the left and right of the shrine.

　

For a long time, it was revered as protective god against fire outbreaks because there was no fire not only in the residence of the Hotta family but also in the neighborhood. It is not clear how it was decided at the current location, but it has continued to be protected by various people, and since 1933 (Showa 8), neighborhood associations such as Kakigara-cho and Ningyo-cho have been protecting. Was. In 1985 (Showa 60), he joined one of the Nihonbashi Seven Lucky Gods tour companies. After that, the former shrine hall was rebuilt again in 2008 after an urban redevelopment project in the Nihonbashi Ningyocho district. At present, it has been worshiped as a god of Fukutoku harmony and disaster prevention.

 

 

 

 

　Ritsu summer, when summer comes to summer.

 

It's a pleasant sunny May season.
Along the Sumida River, which is being developed as a waterfront.
The Sumida River Terrace has a beautiful night view, but this time you can enjoy the beauty of the scenery with the refreshing sea breeze during the daytime.

 

　
　　　　　　<Shooting the direction of Tsukuda Island from Cheongju Bridge>

 

From the base of Cheongju Bridge, passing through the Sumida River Ohashi and taking a walk to Toyomi Bridge, there is a sign. 。 。

　

　　　　　<Notice of suspension of terrace closure due to construction>

 

Reinforcement work begins on May 10, and the terrace is about 800m from Cheongju Bridge to St. Luke Garden from 250m to Shinohashi, and it seems that the terrace will be closed.
You're patient until the end of the year. Please keep in mind.