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　Episode 8: Put the Fire of Maboroshi

　I'm frightened with a cheek on my desk. And sometimes sighs.

　The yellow little bird had just stopped at the edge of the small plate and was drinking milk.

　It was when I sighed quite high.

"What's wrong?"

　Kotori finally turned around here.

　I saw a little yellow little bird,

"I don't have any motivation,"…」

　And he sighs over the exaggeration.

　The yellow little bird stared at me. And then

"I'm afraid I got sick from Chuo-ku fans who are easy to fuck."

　I say it.

"Eh?"

　I raise my face and make me angry.

　The little bird laughed at me,

"Chuo-ku fans will look like you when summer is over."

"Do you like me?"

"Nu-Ke-ga-ra,"

　And the yellow little bird pronounced each sound carefully. It was like the sermon, and it seemed interesting.

　…I can't think of it.

"Surely…Everyone often says, when the festival in Tsukuda is over, the summer is over."

　Kotori nodds with a lot of satisfaction.　

　I open "Chuo-ku Monoshiri Encyclopedia", and show it to the yellow little bird.

"In August, there was an event like this, but there was nothing in September."

　The yellow little bird sucks his shoulders and laughs.

　I have a look like a distant day.

"It was amazing this summer! There were a lot of festivals!"

　I say it. It's still a little bit before.

"Yes,…Starting with the festival of Tepposhu Inari, the Tsukiji Lion Festival, Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine…」

"There were a lot of Bon Odori! There was also the Oedo Festival Bon Dance Festival."

"And above all, the main festival of Tsukuda!"

　The yellow little bird flutters the wings.

　I nodded very much.

"The festival is not only interesting that day, when I'm preparing, or when the town is starting to sway down a little by little, there is a moment when I notice that, and when I find such a thing, I feel the most happy!"

"One day, when I found a Kariya on a road or park."

"When I found a pillar of a large banner hanging in the alley of Tsukuda?"

"When I found a worship decoration in Minami Takahashi,"

　The yellow little bird doesn't seem to be confusing.

　I went further,

"The scenery with a large banner on Tsukuda was really amazing! During the four days of the festival, the sound of the music was heard all the time to Minato on the opposite bank. The ship imperial procession was amazing! For the first time, I saw Sennuki portable shrine coming out of the town corner exhibition hall! I'm impressed!

　The most amazing thing was that the lion's head was displayed everywhere in Tsukuda. There are not only dragon tigers, but also black pieces, and I don't know the name, but there was such a lion head! I'm surprised! Everyone had different sizes and faces, had their own personality, and the way they entered the season varied, and it was fun just by looking at it! "

　After saying so, I realize that I still feel like summer.

"But Tsukuda is a really strange town. In connection with Ieyasu Tokugawa, Magoemon Mori and fishermen who came from Osaka to Edo, worshiped the tidal flats of the gunshot. It's a venerable fisherman's town dedicated to offering white fish, but there are many mysterious legends."

"Yes, the legend of the dragon tiger, the oldest lion head on Tsukuda Island"

"When the fire approached in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the dragon spited water and the tiger spited sand to protect Tsukuda Island. And the other is the legend of the Whites."

"I wonder if it was just before the earthquake came. It seems that the white rabbit flew around Tsukuda Island in a circle. Yeah…When I thought about it, I was told that I came to the end."

"The white heron protected Tsukuda Island,"

"It is also the crest of Sumiyoshi-jinja Shirine."

　Certainly, if you look at the map showing the direction of the fire hand caused by the Great Kanto Earthquake, only the part of Tsukuda Island is colorless so that the hands of fire can be avoided completely.

"But that's not all,"

　And the yellow little bird says.

"The unity of the region is great. Let's all go up on the roof and pour water in the bucket relay. They said they desperately stopped the fire coming from the Tsukishima area. At that time, the lion's head was carried on the roof, and raised it empty."

"the lion's head…！」

　I am so impressed.

　Hey, and the yellow little bird nodded.

"I prayed,"

　Said the yellow little bird, suddenly,

"Speaking of legends, do you know that something like a Saikin city legend is whispered?"

"Urban legend?"

　I'm eye-catching.

"At the end of August, there is no rumor that I saw fireworks rising over Chuo-ku."

　Said the yellow little bird.

"Fireworks? Oh, maybe it's Harumi's fireworks? Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival!"

　I'm good at it.

"I don't have that fireworks now,"

　And the yellow little bird makes it regrettable.

　The Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival began in 1988 and was delighted by many people as a summer tradition representing Chuo-ku. Due to the construction of the athlete village in the 2020 Games, it became difficult to secure the venue, so it was suspended last year in 2015. It seems that there are still many voices waiting for the resumption.

"Well, what kind of fireworks were it?"

"That's strange. In the first place, I don't know if the fireworks really came up."

"Isn't it wrong or because of my mind? Look, when there is a lot of traffic, the sound of the car sometimes resonates, and I misunderstood it as the sound of fireworks."

　But I feel calm.

　What a strange story?

"Everyone was looking forward to the fireworks,"…」

"Even if I can't go to the venue, I wonder if fireworks are coming up from afar now.…There were a lot of people who thought about it."

"I wonder if I can see it from here, look at the window…」

"I heard only the sound last year,"

"Looking at the cloudy sky, I'm worried that it's going to be canceled due to rain."

"It's really a lot of rain,"

「…In such a thought, I might have really found a fragment of fireworks along the window, and misunderstood a different sound, and thought it was fireworks."

　Funfun, and the yellow little bird turned his ears.

"Surely, fireworks are rising everywhere in time. I often hear the sound of fireworks and think where it is, and open the window. But it's often impossible to identify which direction it comes from because it's hard to see, and sound and reflect. In the meantime, there are times when it doesn't sound quietly, giving up and closing the window."

"I'm still worried, and I'm going to look up on the Internet, but I don't get it well, what was that?…That's often the case."

　I wonder if that would be the way to solve this urban legend.

　That's right…。

　I and the yellow little bird were silent and thought about the fireworks in their hearts.

　When I think about fireworks, when I see the places where it rises, and when the fireworks pattern is different, why everyone is caught up with similar feelings. And why is it possible to share the same feelings for some reason?

　If you say that it's Japanese, it's true.…。

　I go out with the yellow little bird and the book forest.

　Indeed, memories of the earthquake and a record exhibition of Tsukuda Island were being held.　

　This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Therefore, the "Earthquake Evacuation Monument" at Shinohashi, which is named "Human Helping Bridge," became a resident of Tangible Cultural Property.

　Likewise, materials related to Tsukuda Island have become inhabitants of the ward Tangible Cultural Property, and that "approved" is on display. Every time a fishery conflict occurs, it is endorsed by the Shogunate, which protected the rights of Tsukuda Island.

"Yes, I'm going to have a planetarium today. Let's see it!"

"Yes, let's go!"

　The multipurpose hall on the first floor is illuminated, and there is a large vinyl sphere of earth and moon that emits light from the inside. Just by being in this space, my heart seems calm.

　The night sky over Chuo-ku is projected on the screen, and the staff will guide you through the starry sky with a microphone.

"Now, the sky in the south of Chuo-ku is reflected. The streets in the lower part are Chuo-ku now. This particularly tall building is St. Luke's Garden."

　I come to the staff's comment.

　Why do people be impressed when the familiar and familiar scenery of the town is reflected on the screen? I'm impressed before I can see the stars, and the timing is obviously bad.

　And finally, the whole area begins to shine like a sea of stars…。

"Ah,…」

　I speak out of my heart.

　The yellow little bird looked up my profile over my shoulder and shook her neck.

"It looks like fireworks…I think I'm in the fireworks."

　Really, that was the case.

　Surrounded by the stars of the planetarium, I felt as if I had been lost in the sparkling fireworks.

"Really…」

　The yellow little bird says he's enchanted.

"Is this the story of fireworks?"

　And as I came up with it.

　But the truth of the urban legend may be weak. It's a bit impossible to connect the planetarium with fireworks.

　The yellow little bird, too, looked like a bitter smile.

　The staff is explaining the constellation.

　I say that there are no stars in the city sky.…。 Indeed, so many stars are shining.…。

　Still, the yellow little bird's eyes may have had constellations from the beginning. For birds go on a long and long journey, rather than just the position of the stars and messages from the magnetic field.

　This year, fireworks were launched on the Sumida River.

　I and the yellow little bird were worried about being there to watch the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, which came back for the first time in four years, and laid down yakisoba, Frankfurt, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, shaved ice etc. on Goza, lined up in front of the TV TV, and turned off all the electricity in the room, and pursued a sense of presence.

"Originally, the fireworks of both countries also had the meaning of memorial service and requiem."

　Said the yellow little bird.

"It was 1733. The previous year was a great famine, and the plague overlapped, killing many people. The 8th Shogun Yoshimune held a water god festival with memorial service and the hope of eradication of illness."

　Funajuku and restaurants at the base of Ryogokubashi paid for the expenses and performed Kawase Gaki. At that time, 20 fireworks were launched by Yahee, the sixth generation of Yokoyamacho. After that, fireworks at the opening of the river became an annual event, leading to the current Sumida River Fireworks Festival.

"Ah!"

　Suddenly, I remembered something and dropped the takoyaki on a toothpick.

"What's wrong!"

　And the yellow little bird was surprised and squeezed one leg into the shaved ice, flapping its wings.

"I'm sorry. Kotori-chan, how many years ago did fireworks suddenly rise in Chuo-ku? "

　The yellow little bird also becomes a thoughtful face.

"Speaking…That's right. That was the end of summer. Suddenly, the fireworks went up without any delay. Surprisingly, looking at the window, an eye-catching, vivid fireworks shook up the night sky vividly…Yeah, yell fireworks."

"That's it!"

　I made my face shine.

"At that time, it was the toughest time in the COVID-19 pandemic,"

　As fireworks festivals were canceled in various places, this project was launched by members of the Japan Fireworks Lovers Association in Akita Prefecture, with the desire to give hope to people all over Japan and to protect fireworks companies.

　At 8:00 pm on Saturday, August 22, 2020, fireworks were fired at 66 locations in 28 prefectures nationwide.

"Maybe the story of seeing fireworks is this?"

"How about it?…It was three years ago…」

　Suddenly, the TV calms down quietly, and the sound of fireworks is heard.

　In a hurry, I and the yellow little bird watched the television.

　In the silence and darkness, only the sound of fireworks rising, Don and Don sounded. And when the fireworks are falling, merimerimeri…A sound. A moment of sparkling, large flowers…。

　I and the yellow little bird looked at the fireworks on the screen without words for a while.

　Why?…。 When the fireworks rise into the night sky, people silently look up. And he made his eyes noisy.

　It may be because fireworks are always the prayers of people, theirs.

　Walk along the Sumida River terrace at dusk with a yellow little bird.

"When the festival in Tsukuda is over, the summer is over, it may be true."

　And I said shy.

"Because the color of the sky is different. What do you do?…」

　That said, I looked up at the sky with the yellow little bird on my shoulder and walked slowly.

"Ah, the clouds!"

"Oh, indeed!"

　We stopped and watched for a while.

"The sky is high,"

　The yellow little bird says.

"Yes,…」

　And I will respond.

　The lights of Tsukuda River City 21's high-rise apartments spill over on the dark surface of the river, which is dyed purple, as if the color of the sky has begun to melt.

"Why do I have so much attachment to this town?…」

　I'm going to say hello.

"What's wrong? Cub…」

　The yellow little bird turned around with a funny but gentle eyes.

　I shook my head with a little smile, yes.

　I think of a bonsai shop with a gentle grandmother, a greengrocer that was always sold only for some reason, and a stereo that was tanned and discolored by the sun, a coffee shop that was hanging down on the ceiling, a few of the elegant and serious embroidered shopkeepers, and an unnamed eel shop in front of the old days.

　Everyone has become a nostalgic memory. In such a moment…。

　To see through my feelings, the yellow little bird gently said.

"This town is beginning to change little by little,"

"Eh…」

　The yellow little bird's profile was calm.

"When towns and times are about to change drastically, it seems that urban legends are born."

"Is it true? See you…That strange story of seeing fireworks…」

　The little bird nodded gently.

"Everyone's expectations, anxiety, swaying feelings, and prayers sometimes show rags. In other words, the birth of an urban legend means that the city will grow bigger, richer, and develop in the future."

"Yes?…」

　I look up at the sky.

"I wonder if I had been chasing it just a little bit.…I'm."

"You're right,"

　Said the yellow little bird.

"Everyone may be chasing the fireworks somewhere in their hearts."

"It's okay. If you look up at the sky properly, the fireworks will surely rise again. Yes, the new fireworks of a new era."

　That said, the yellow little bird, with me, looks up the sky.

　The sun was quite dark.

　The messenger statues of Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge, Kachidokibashi and Chuo-ohashi Bridge are lit up.

　As far as the eye can see, red grains of air obstruction lights are floating in the night sky. Above the building that stands in Shinkawa, on the high-rise apartments of Tsukuda, Tsukishima, Kachidoki and Harumi, and on the St. Luke Garden.

"When I look at this way, I think there are some fireworks in the area.…」

　And the yellow little bird muttered.

"It's true…It looks like a lot of fireworks are coming up alternately…」

　They also have different timings of glowing, and while engraving an unstable rhythm, they still disappear, glow, and cross each other at the same time. And it seemed as if they were shining forever.

"Maybe the story of fireworks, this is it?"

　I'm still sticky.

　The yellow little bird looked astringent face.

"I can't do it,"

　Certainly…。

"In such a case, it's convenient to obsolete!"

　And I'll give you a chance.

"It's like a fireworks, it's like a flower."

　He is good at opening and narrowing his eyes.

　One point can be scattered in a circular shape by more than a dozen, which is both a frightening place and a great deal.

　The yellow little bird flutters his eyes.

"In such a case, a little bird is inconvenient. Because my eyes are too good."

　That said, we looked at each other and laughed a little strangely.

"Autumn Chuo-ku is also wonderful. Well, let's walk."

"Yes,"

　Such a yellow little bird's eyes had a distant future that I couldn't see, and beyond the town, in such a clear, forever quiet color, as if I had already seen it.

Continue

♪This story is a fiction based on the history and culture of Chuo-ku.

♪Regarding the legend of Tsukuda Island, I used to refer to what I learned by reading in books and talking to local people. Depending on the literature, there are some differences in the content and legend. Thank you for your understanding.

♪Reference "Chuo-ku Monoshiri Encyclopedia that can be seen by walking" Chuo-ku Tourism Association / "Talking the old days of Chuo-ku (1)" Chuo-ku Board of Education 1989

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association
No. 203 September 18, 2023