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　I was sitting in a new room in a distant city with a window open.

　On the desk, "Chuo-ku Monoshiri Encyclopedia" remains the page open.

　I was staring at the door. Even at lunchtime, I can't hear the melody of St. Luke's Chapel…What a sigh.

　When I turned on the radio, the sound of zaar spilled. It's still in line with 84.0. I want to be the same with my feelings.…I think. The memory shows that town, and the only thing that hears is lonely and love.…。

　I shrugged my shoulders and stood up. I'm going to make coffee too. And when I came back from the kitchen, there was a yellow one in the window frame.

　For a moment, I looked at my eyes.

"The little bird?"

　I'm inadvertently going to spill the coffee I've had.

"What are you doing?"

　And after I said it, I found that the yellow little bird was laughing.

"I'm thirsty. Could you give me some milk?”

　I say.

　I was full of joy, and nodding, standing there.

　The yellow little bird, as if he saw it for the first time.

"That's what book?"

　And come to me.

"It's a 'Chuo-ku Monoshiri Encyclopedia' that you can see on foot."

　I feel like introducing a special book, so I respond.

"Show me,"

"Okay,"

　The yellow little bird went down a little and sighed on the book.

　Someday, we spoke these words.…。

"What?"

While saying, the yellow little bird read out from 1 　in order of the walking course. It's as if a bird-chanjishin becomes a top and walks on Sugoroku.

　Years ago, in the same afternoon, the yellow little bird came to my room this way.

　The same page was opened on this day. This is the page of walking courses in the Tsukiji and Akashicho areas.

"What one…？」

　While saying that, I read one by one from the site of Shintomiza to the site of 15 Shuyo Gakuen.

"Shin, tomi, Za, and later…」

　②It is the birthplace of the shoe industry.

"Kutsu, gyo"…」

　And say, looking up at me,

"Kagyo…」

　And I tried to say it again with pride.

　It seems that Kotori-chan remembered that I was reluctant to tell him that the yellow little bird had misreaded before.

　I shake my shoulder and laugh.

　The yellow little bird laughed like the same.

 

 

　The yellow little bird took me out, looking at me, and took me out.

　I will look for the tallest building in this town and go up.

　I found a tall office building. The top floor is open to the public, and there are large windows around the floor, so you can overlook it.

"Which is Chuo-ku?"

　I wander around the dark hallway, keeping my feelings down.

　Isn't the yellow bird here? He said, standing in front of your window and shook his eyes. And…

"Oh! It's St Luke's Garden!"

　I could see only one of the twin towers.

　I am so happy and cheered. She shook her face to the window and pointed her full. As if the glass is faintly cloudy.

"It was the tallest in Chuo-ku until Tokyo Midtown Yaesu was established in 2022. The St. Luke's Tower in the office building was 220.63 metres and the residence building was 146.1 metres."

“St Luke’s Garden is expensive!”

　I'm totally impressed.

　No matter what town I was walking in Chuo-ku, I thought I could go home if I looked for St Luke's Garden. It was a symbol in me.

　St Luke's Garden, which can be seen from here, was dissolving in the small and hollow sky, with a statue. But you can't miss my favorite St Luke's Garden.

"That's it? Maybe it's River City 21 in Tsukuda?"

　I still say it sucks. However, among the many high-rise apartments, only one could see.

　Tsukuda is an island built by fishermen in Tsukuda-mura, Nishinari-gun, Settsu Province, who descended to Edo in connection with Ieyasu Tokugawa. White fish fishing, which has been serving for the sake of white fish for generations, and from midwinter to early spring, is a feature and is depicted in many Nishiki-e paintings.

　Now, the contrast between the townscape that remains from Edo and the modern high-rise apartments attracts visitors.

"Surely, the Sumida River is flowing below that."

　While saying that, I think of the Sumida River Terrace that I walked all the way. I think of the beautiful scenery that I saw from there.

　But it was incredibly far away…。

　Nevertheless, I filled my heart with what my favorite Chuo-ku could see from here.

“If I could fly like a little bird.…」

　I'm going to shy.

`Ah,'

　And the yellow bird turned around.

"I'll take the train."

　The yellow little bird that can be said lightly,

“Oh, did you get the train today?”

"Mochi. It’s not a very flying distance.”

　I said it.

　Then I went to the pier. I stood on a helicopter with water from Tokyo Bay in a factory, and looked at the opposite shore through the wire mesh.

　And then he found a familiar building there.

"That's Harumi, isn't it?"

　And I swear by myself.

"Yes, Harumi,"

　And the yellow little bird nodded at all.

　I'll be shy again.

“If not even this fence.…」

　He said, grabbing the wire net tight.

　Then the yellow little bird blows out.

"What's wrong?"

　I'm going to look ugly.

　The yellow bird kept silent for a while, but he looked back at me.…。

　And so slowly, I said.

“See, you’re there, right?”

　

　I don't understand what it means, and I look at the yellow little bird.

　And the little bird said again.

“See, you’re there, right?”

　

"Yes…」

　I nodded awkwardly.

"Isn't it near?"

"Oh?"

“Because you see what you see.”

「…」

　I cut my eyes off. And…。

　I laugh from nowhere.

　I shook my shoulder with my eyes and eyes, and got angry, and I got mad. But for some reason, there were tears. Is it because I laughed too much, my love for Chuo-ku, which had accumulated in my chest, overflowed?…。

"Hey, little bird."

　After a laugh, I’ll talk to the yellow little bird a bit seriously.

“Can I listen to the yellow bird today? That question… 」

　Don't listen to the birds at all.…Where did it come from? So, what are you doing? That's right. One day, the yellow bird would say that. But today, that question doesn’t matter.

　The yellow little bird looked at me,　

"Please,"

　I say.

Where did the yellow bird come from?

"It's decided in Chuo-ku."

"Well then…Why are you here?”

　The yellow little bird blinks once,

"I've come to pick you up."

　I said.

"The little bird…」

 

　After that, I and the yellow little bird sat on a rolling block wall and looked beyond the sea forever. As if the waves are playing melodies, while dying at a light sunset…。

"Harumi is always a bridge to the future."

"At first, it was called Tsukishima No. 4 Landfill."

“Yes, the landfill was completed in 1931.

　A town named with the desire to always see a clear sea.

“There was a visionary Olympics.”

"Hey…In 1940. That year, the Japan World Exposition was also scheduled. Kachidokibashi was supposed to be its main gate…。 None of them could be held for war.”

"Kachidokibashi is also having a bitter shame.…Even if it looks like that.”

"There are many things,"

「…But."

　As I noticed, I hit my hands.

"At the next 2020 Games, Kachidokibashi made his dream come true. Because from Harumi's village, players from all over the world crossed Kachidokibashi and headed to the competition venue. I dream of becoming the main gate!"

"Really so,"

　And the yellow bird is smiling.

“You have awakened from a long sleep.”

“I’ve waited 80 years from dreaming to come true.”

“Is that the world peace?”

"Yes, right?…」

　We think of the bridge beyond that view.

"But you've been waiting.…」

　And the yellow bird says.

“Maybe he wasn’t waiting, he was turning.…。 I'm sure you know this town. If you keep running without turning, time will surely come again.…」

“Is that the path leading to a good future?”

`I'm sure…You should go where you should go.”

"Then…」

　I look at the distant sky,

"You just turn around, don't you?…」

　I'm sorry.

　It seemed like an ale to me, like a yellow bird.

　"There should still be homework left in Chuo-ku."

　And the yellow little bird said quietly. And then I will smile at me.

　When I nodded, I felt the spirit was coming back in my body.

“Of course, that’s enough!”

　So I showed him a big mountain with both hands.

"It's about Fujizuka of Teppozu Inari-jinja Shrine."

　At the end of the day, the yellow little bird says mischief.

"No?"

　And I think…I'm sorry that I couldn't remember how many meters the Fujizuka of Teppozu Inari Shrine was. This is something that is likely to be presented at the Chuo-ku Tourism Certification.

　The yellow little bird laughed,

"All the time, you're always thinking about Chuo-ku."

　I say.

"There's a new street on the nickname road in Chuo-ku."

"Oh, really?"

"The route of the Edo bus has changed."

"Oh, really?"

“Your favorite path.…」

　Take a breath and look at the yellow little bird.

"Nothing will change,"

"Wow!"

　I'm just a little relieved.

"As soon as I look a little, that town changes more and more."

`I have to look at it.…」

“Yes, what you see and what you cannot see, both.”

"Yes,"

　Things that change, things that do not change…。

　I always want to be such a glittering feeling like encountering Chuo-ku for the first time.

“There are a lot of spring events.”

　Amazake Yokocho Sakura Festival, Nihonbashi Cherry Blossom Festival, Spring Meibashi Festival, Tokyo Art Antique.

"I want to go to the Flower Festival of Daikanonji this year!"

"You are famous confectionery in Ningyocho, aren't you?"

　And the yellow bird makes his eyes narrower.

"No! I want to celebrate Historical Buddha's birthday.…」

　Let's say so much, we look at each other and laugh.

"Let's walk the Sumida River Terrace"

'Mochi'

"Let's listen to the melody of St. Luke's Chapel."

"Mochimochi"

`and then…」

　I'm going to think about it,

"I have to go to see how many meters the Fujizuka of Teppozu Inari Shrine was!"

　That said, the yellow little bird laughed.

"Let's go, to Chuo-ku."

"Yes, let's go!"

　I smiled and nodded.

　Soon, the buds of cherry blossoms will begin to fall.

　Chuo-ku in spring is full of exciting feelings.

 

Continue

 

 

Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent Minato-chan
No. 237 February 15, 2025