Official

The broom is "Omori Houki" and the chopsticks are "Japanese chopsticks".

Both were sold at Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, headquartered in Nara Prefecture, is a very popular household goods shop that began in 1716 (1716) with the hemp fabric "Narazarashi", and many people know it. There are shops in Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. and Chored Muromachi in Chuo Ward.

Because there is a shop in Chuo-ku, it is not a product in Chuo-ku. In fact, these two tools were collaboration products with a long-established store in Chuo-ku.

Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C.
Photo by Kakidai / CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons

The grand opening of Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. will be held in September 2018. It's been five years ago. At that time, the brand "Nipponichi" operated by Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten entered the tenant. "Japan City" is a brand that aims to establish a locally grown and consumed model in the souvenir industry based on the concept of "Japanese souvenirs." Currently, there is the only "Nippon City ecute Tokyo Store" on the premises of Tokyo Station.

"Mimori Houki" and "Nippon Chopsticks" were designed as original products when a new "Nippon City" store was opened at Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. Each was produced by Denbei Shirakiya in Kyobashi and Kawakami Shoten in Nihonbashibakurocho. Later, "Nihonichi Motohashi Takashimaya S.C. Store" was renewed and became "Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. Store", and has continued to this day. The sale of original products at the time of the opening ended, but at the shops of Shirakiya Denbei, who has a workshop in Nihonbashi, Kawakami Shoten, you can encounter special tools that make you feel familiar with Edo culture such as "Omori Houki" and "Japanese chopsticks".

Then, while closing up the original products of memories, I would like to introduce two shops.

First of all, it's "Omori Houki". The production of Shirakiya Denbei in Kyobashi is a long-established store of Edo Hoki, founded in 1830 (1830). Right next to it was a bamboo bank lined with bamboo wholesalers until the early Showa period. Isn't it very convenient to purchase bamboo materials used for broom patterns?

Omori broom

As the name implies, a small broom that is auspicious just by decorating it at home as a talisman to "get evil and collect fortune". The five-colored threads representing the five-line ideas are sacred with meanings such as amulet, but the colorful finish is just the beauty you want to decorate.

This is just right when you use these small brooms as real goods.

Small beams (with holes)

Chiritori made by sticking thick paper and applying persimmon astringent. It is made of soft material that stretches along the floor. Since it is made of paper, static electricity does not occur. If the pigeon hole is opened, it can be hung with the broom. I got this Harima later at Shirakiya Denbei's store.

Shirakiya Denbei is lined with handmade brooms of various sizes with different expressions little by little. If you visit the shop, you will surely find something better in any way of life. In addition, Shirakiya Denbei is also open to the public as one of the Chuo-ku Machikado Exhibition Hall, "Edo Broom Exhibition Hall", and is a place where you can learn about the skills and charm of broom, which is an excellent craft. Please drop in when you take a walk in the Nihonbashi area.

Shirakiya Denbei (Shirokiya Denbei)
https://www.edohouki.com/

Edo broom exhibition hall (manager: Shirakiya Nakamura Denbei Shoten Co., Ltd.)
https://www.chuoku-machikadotenjikan.jp/tenjikan/edohouki/

3-9-8 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Hakuden Building 1F
０３－３５６３－１７７１

Next is "Japanese chopsticks". Kawakami Shoten in Nihonbashibakurocho is a chopstick specialty store founded in 1905 (1905). We manufacture and sell Edo Karaki chopsticks that make use of wood materials.

Japanese chopsticks

Edo Karaki chopsticks inspired by Nihonbashi, a bridge that was designated as the center of Japan during the Edo period. It's nice, isn't it?

Karaki chopsticks are chopsticks made of famous trees such as ebony and ebony that were handed down to Japan during the Tang Dynasty. Edo Karaki chopsticks because they are Karaki chopsticks made in Tokyo. This "Japanese chopsticks" made of lacquer made of iron wood (Tetsuboku), which is said to be hard like iron, expresses things related to Nihonbashi and Edo culture.

Because it is the starting point of the Gokaido, the head is in a five-piece shape, and the random sharpening of the handle represents the fluctuation of the river surface. It has a flat surface that makes it easy to grasp Edomae soba and is hard to slip. In order to match the food culture of Edo, which was rooted in the development of the fish shore in Nihonbashi, the eating destinations are finely cut, making it easier to eat delicate dishes such as sashimi. In such a thin and small tool, such thoughts and ideas were put in.

When I eat soba at home, I always use this "Japanese chopsticks". That makes you feel like you're eating a higher-grade soba. I think it's true that the taste and impression of dishes change with one food destination.

The chopstick shop, which is a workshop and store of Kawakami Shoten near Bakurocho Station, has a wide range of chopsticks made with attention to detail like this "Japanese chopsticks". If you choose the chopsticks you use casually every day and use them consciously, your meal will be more delicious. It is also recommended as a gift for your loved ones.

Kawakami Shoten chopstick rest shop
https://www.kawakamishoten.co.jp/

1-9-8, Nihonbashibakurocho, Chuo-ku
０３－３６６１－７０６６

In Chuo-ku, there is a Chuo-ku recommended souvenir "Central Tokyo Premium Selection", which was selected by application and voting, and a total of 40 products, the "food section" and the "thing section", are certified as souvenirs that convey the appeal of Chuo-ku. I am.

In the 1st Chuo-ku recommended souvenir, "Shino pattern broom" was certified by Shirakiya Denbei, which was introduced this time, and "Lacquer octagonal ebony large 23.5cm" was certified by Kawakami Shoten's chopstick shop Mochiya.

Recently, the recruitment of candidate products for the 2nd Chuo-ku recommended souvenirs has started. The application period is until September 30. It seems that applicants will receive a gift by lottery. After that, the vote will begin in December. I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of products will be selected this time. Please take this opportunity to touch the products of Chuo-ku, recommend your favorite products, and vote.

For more information, please visit this page.

We are looking for "Ichioshi's Chuo-ku Souvenir" that you recommend! (Chuo-ku Tourism Association)

[Shirakiya Denbei]
Today's SDGs in Edo-Denbei Shirakiya by Shinshin (April 2023)
A small life in Edo broom by Kozaru (June 2022)

[Kawakami Shoten/Chopstick rest shop]
Chopsticks “Kawakami Shoten” by Mr. Tachibana (June 2022)
Why don't you stick to chopsticks? A shop specializing in chopsticks for over 100 years by GPP (September 2021)
Chopstick shop in the back alley "Chopstick rest shop" by George May (July 2019)