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Episode 10 The riddle of the Monument of the United States Mission of Japan

Reasoning I

・・・ Summary of the last time ...

A monument to the ruins of the United States Missionary, which was left in Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, which was a foreign settlement in the Meiji era. There are three types of patterns: Goryo stars, shield-shaped star-shaped flags, and white head eagle, and a total of five are central ward Tangible Cultural Property.

When they were found, they were lined up on a small hill in a deserted garden. What purpose was made, who made it, and when was it made it?…。 It still remains in mysteries.

Chuo-ku fans, me and the yellow Kotori-chan, have begun to elucidate this mystery in life.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Reasoning 1 keystone

"I first wondered if I was decorating a part of the building. For example, a part of the outer wall was patterned and accented, or adorned the head of the entrance. But if the U.S. Embassy was a stone building, it might be, but it's different. It is a wooden two-story building with cream-colored paint. If a part of a wooden house is fitted or stuck with a stone decoration, it's a bit strange. And it's such a big stone."

"Surely, in the nobles and royal families of Western Europe, it is customary to place family crests into parts of buildings or decorate them on arches as keystones."

　And the yellow little bird.

"But if it's a keystone, I think it's better to match the outline of the design rather than square. A shield-shaped star flag would be a stone of that shape, and a Goryo star would be a star-shaped stone. If I had placed it over my head in a quadrangle, it would be halfway."

"That's true. Then the foundation of the building. There's a hole, so breathability seems good."

　And I'll tell you in a pain.

"No,"

　The yellow little bird answered immediately.

"But what was the mainstream architecture in the United States at that time?"

　I was worried about it.

"Is there a flow of decorating stones like a pattern cut out like a monument to the ruins of the American Embassy?　Speaking of which, in the United States, what kind of building was the White House at that time? If we had a similar stone monument, we would have received it from the United States."

"At that time, it would have been sea mail, but it would be too costly to carry the stone monument? I think it would have been more natural to procure stones in Japan and have them made by Japanese masonry."

　And after saying,

"Somehow, I think of the flower block,"

　Yes, the yellow little bird said.

A part of the reasoning 2 wall

　Flower block.

"It's a kind of watermark block that has developed uniquely in the Okinawa region. It's a stone block with a hollow pattern. It can be used for fences and terraces, or covers the entire building. It is also a structure unique to Okinawa where American culture has penetrated. I think it's a bit closer because it was originally a good thing for American architecture."

　I make my face shine.

"It's perfect in terms of hollowing out stones. And the wall is also good."

`But it's too big,'

　And the yellow little bird is very cautious.

"Yes, let's fall too heavy. I wish I hadn't carved so much."

　I have no choice but to do it.

"In addition, speaking of the Western-style building in foreign settlements, it seems that there were many wooden fences painted with white or light blue paint with the front yard large. And there were plenty of hydrangeas in full bloom."

"It's nice.…」

　Then, after all, the possibility of a stone fence will be less likely.

　Suddenly, the yellow little bird tweets.

"I wonder if the stone that was the material first,"

"From the beginning, wasn't the purpose of making a monument?"

　And I'm going to hang my head.

"I made it because there was a stone, and I decided to make a monument because I wanted to use the stone.…」

　We met face.

Inference 3 I used the stone wall of Edo Castle

"Kotori-chan…I realized a great thing!"

　I said, shyly.

"Isn't this monument a reuse of the stone wall of Edo Castle?"

　The yellow little bird, stared at me, opened his mouth and dropped the mandarin oranges that had been contained.

"That might be. Ishibashi, which was formed since the beginning of the Meiji era, is said to be a reuse of the stone wall of Edo Castle. Especially, Jobanbashi looks like that. I wonder if the shipping bridge is the same."

"The monument at the site of the U.S. Embassy is almost square with a side of about 80 cm. This is written on the information board. The stone wall of Edo Castle seems to be about 80 centimeters on a large one. It's perfect for the length of the side!"

"I agree,"

　And the yellow little bird is also eager to ride it.

"In addition, the monument to the ruins of the American Embassy is andesite. The stone walls of Edo Castle also vary in material depending on the part, but there is a survey that the most use of andesite from Manazuru."

"andesite from Manazuru…Komatsu stone."

　The guide to the monument at the site of the U.S. Embassy has a description of Komatsu stone. According to literature, some say that andesite was cut off on the coast of Izu Peninsula, or just say domestic.

　"Izuishi" cut in Izu Peninsula and its surroundings is of good quality and has long been one of the industries. It is sometimes called Manazuru stone, Komatsu stone, Nebukawa stone, etc.

"At that time, the stone walls of Edo Castle were dismantled and a large amount of stones would have come out, so even if you made a monument using that stone, it's not surprising."

　And the yellow little bird said he was convinced.

　By the way, I had something to worry about.

"The monument to the ruins of the U.S. Embassy, the accuracy of the design, for example, the vertical line of the shield-shaped star-line flags are so beautiful that I could not make it unless it was so skillful. Did you have such a good mason in Japan during the Edo period?"

　Then,

"You shouldn't do that!"

　And the yellow little bird declared himself good at it.

"The stone wall of Edo Castle is a craftsmanship that Japan is proud of. Especially in Shiga Prefecture, there is a legendary masonry group called Ano Shu, which still preserves tradition. On the other hand, it is said that Higo's masonry had excelled in Ishibashi-making technology. It is a famous story that good masons from all over the country were gathered to make the stone walls of Edo Castle."

"That's right!"

　I am impressed.

"What's interesting is that during the construction of Edo Castle, a large amount of stones were collected from all over the country, but when the construction was settled down, the stones seemed to be quite surplus. So, it is said that crafts made of stone became popular. For example, lanterns in shrines and gardens, and stone Buddhas. It is said that ordinary townspeople gradually began to build tombstones and stone Buddhas, and demand for masonry did not decrease."

"If so, it would be strange that a Japanese mason worked on the monument to the site of the U.S.

　After hearing the story of the yellow little bird, I'm quite convinced.

　But

"I'm a little worried that I'm being cut out."

Inference 3 Lantern

Of the three patterns, the Goryo star and the shield-shaped star-shaped flag have a cut-out design.

"Isn't it okay to be embossed like a white head eagle? But I'm going to go out of my way. I feel that there is a clue to solving some riddles. Reason for need to be cleared…」
I think about it.

"I lit the light inside!"

　Said the yellow little bird.

"Lantern!"

　I don't think of it.

"It would be beautiful if the candlelight spills out of the hollow part."

"In that case, what kind of lantern was it?"

"Lanterns are usually hexagons or squares. But it seems that it was octagonal in the Heian period. If it's an octagon, it's quite nodding that there are eight monuments to the ruins of the American Embassy. But if so, it's quite a big lantern."

　A fire bag with eight 80cm square surfaces, a supporting rod and a shade on it. Considering the balance, it may be as high as many stories.

"I'm sure. And it's heavy. It is also possible that there are two square lanterns. It might be a little less weight. Or,"

　And I twist my head.

"Even if it wasn't a lantern, I happened to work on a mason who is good at making lanterns, and I couldn't get the taste of the modeling that I usually make, but I was able to cut it out even though it was a figurine. "

　The yellow little bird nodds.

　Go back to the story

"If it's a lantern, there's another part."

"I don't find that one,"

"I wonder if it was disposed of at an early stage because it is not particularly uncommon."

"No matter how long time has passed, I wonder if the design that remains now has been left as it is?"

"After the American Convoy became the Hotel Metro Paul and the property of St. Luke's International Hospital, it has long been…。 What remains, what is left, and what is left, is really something we cannot control. I would call it by chance or luck, but I think more than half of this world is made of such things."

Inference 4 Normal monument

"It's usually the easiest to think of it as a monument."

　And the yellow little bird.

"But I'd like to say a word to the theory for a long time,"

"Oh,"

　And the yellow little bird looked at me at me.

"If you want to decorate, after all, I want a plate, a pedestal, or something that pulls the stone monument. Why is only the stone monument left? I thought the most interesting thing was that if it was a monument, it would be like a plate. If it's the 100th anniversary of independence, could it be cool in English and engraving "100th Anniversary" on the gold plate?"

"I'm sure,"

　And the yellow little bird nodds in a sway.

"As you say, you might have had a pedestal or plate at first. It's not the previous story, but I wonder if it disappeared in a long time, and only the stone monument remained in the basket."

"That might be…」

"It was in 1890 that the American Embassy moved to Akasaka. After that, the Hotel Metro Paul, which opened in the same place as the same building, was thriving and expanded. And yet another long time has passed. One day, foreigners left, and this area was deserted.…。 See you."

　And the yellow little bird showed me open his notebook. I am writing down the words I cared about and the flavors I liked. It looks like a little bird.

　It was Kitahara Hakushu's poem, "Evening Todoroki."

　‐Spring has passed away.……At 5:30 a.m. in the obsolete metropour hotel, when the sun shines brightly.

　 In the weeds with the withered staggered staggered and small white flowers of soap bubbles

　 At last, the five-year-old Taashare was pushed, and it was on the baby carriage.‐

"Wow,…It's a wonderful poem. I was surprised, Hotel Metro Paul?…」

"This is a poem written in 1912. At that time, you can see that the streets of the settlement were all lonely."

"It was in 1899 that the settlement system was gone."

"After that, there was a lot of foreign streets in this area."

"Speaking of that, there is also a famous poem by Mokutaro Kinoshita of the Bread Society."

　And I will try it.

　‐Awa-dori Hika Izu Yukika,

　 That whistle hears,

　 If you cross it, Tsukuda Island

　 You can see the light of the metropool. －

"At that time, there were ships bound for Awa and Izu from the banks of the Sumida River in Shinkawa. There's a golden anchor object. In that area, the atmosphere of Minato-machi was full. And now there was no bridge where Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge was built, and there was a ferryboat."

"I can see such a cityscape that is somewhat disturbing, but quiet and gentle.…」

　Suddenly, I have a strange feeling. For some reason, I felt as if I knew this lonely Akashicho in the late Meiji era. But that's not the case.

"What's wrong?"

　A yellow little bird swung his neck.

"It's strange, I felt very nostalgic. But why is it?…」

　I said, the yellow little bird smiled gently.

"Perhaps, the times are completely different, but you may have felt the same atmosphere of Akashicho and Tsukiji in this town a little before."

　I think of the town a few years ago. Akashicho, Tsukiji, Minato, Irifune, Tsukuda-ya…。 I think of all the towns I walked.

"This town is always repeating what is born and ending."

　Said the yellow little bird. That's why it's not strange that you know that feeling.

　I know. This town when I was lonely. And the current town that shines in a brand-new way like reborn.

"But I liked it quite a bit. This town, when I feel lonely…」

　I say a little bit old.

　The loneliness was never cold. Somehow, it was easy.

"It was cozy…Don't you want to say so?"

　And the yellow little bird.

"Why did you know?"

　The yellow little bird laughed strangely, not responding.

　I begin to talk as if I had a cough.

"A little ago, in Tsukiji River Park before it was maintained, there was a small hill, and a large herds of starlings came. Then there was an uncle who played the ukulele. The main pillar of Sakae Bridge was buried in weeds without any information boards, and it was like a fountain that was completely dry in water. I've found a karin. In May, there were only three small streamers swimming casually, and the half-hearted Kanji was lovely.…」

"It's quite different compared to that time. It has become beautiful, and the number of people has increased."

"Yes,…」

　I and the yellow little bird had a little thought.

"After that, all the features of Tsukiji foreign settlements disappeared due to the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The only thing that tells us that there was a settlement now is the cross of the St. Luke Chapel, the Catholic Tsukiji Church, the gas lamps on the corner of the school grounds of Akashi Elementary School, and the brick wall."

"And a monument to the ruins of the American Embassy,"

"Oh,…」

　Maybe this town is about to be reborn again now. It can't be caught by anyone. I wish that was the case at all times.

　Still, I can hear the same melody.

　When I first met this town, my favorite melody was walking around this town.

　Maybe that's the attachment to the town.

Continue

♪Reference 1 "Chuo-ku Monoshiri Encyclopedia" Chuo-ku Tourism Association / "Alteration of Flower Blocks in Okinawa after World War II" Naoki Isobe Ritsumeikan University 2015 / "Nationally designated historic site Tokiwa Hashikado Site Preservation and Utilization Plan Chapter 2 Summary of Tokiwa Hashikado Site" Chiyoda-ku / Japanese homepage "Izuokame City"

Correspondent Minato kid, Chuo-ku Tourism Association
No. 221 February 16, 2024