Meet Yasujiro Ozu in Fukagawa

Are you old enough to remember the term ''silver screen''?  Yes, or no?  I say YES.

The silver screen originated a kind of silver-coated projection screen that was popular in the early years of the film industry.

Setsuko Hara (1920-2015), one of the female stars of the silver screen, passed away in September at the age of 95.  A Japanese film director and screenwriter Yasujiro Ozu highly appreciated Hara's talent and often casted her in the leading role in his films.

Searching for Yasujiro Ozu

Yasujiro Ozu (1903-1963) is often called the most "Japanese" of Japanese film directors. He created films about typical middle-class Japanese lives and family relationships. He made 54 films in his life.

I am a film lover and I saw several Ozu's films, but to be honest. they didn't leave me much impression.  What is more, as far as Setsuko Hara, Akira Kurosawa's "The Idiot" in which she played a wicked woman being completely different character from that in Ozu's films was much more impressive for me.

However, things could be different this time, because I tried to follow Ozu's footsteps here in his hometown Fukagawa, and search for reasons why he was referred to as the most Japanese of Japanese film directors and also as one of the world's greatest directors. Anyway, when I finish writing this blog, I'll be definitely picking out Ozu's works in my DVD library.

Memorial tablet for his birthplace (1-chome, Fukagawa)

Born and raised in Fukagawa

Yasujiro Ozu was born in the old Fukagawa district (present Koto City) of Tokyo, in 1903, as the second son of Toranosuke, a manager at the top fertilizer wholesaler Yuasa-ya.  Yasujiro attended Meiji elementary school.  When he was at the age of ten, Ozu family moved to his father's hometown Matsusaka in Mie Prefecture.  In August 1923 young

Yasujiro came back to Tokyo and joined the Kamata Studio of Shochiku Film Company.  Shortly thereafter, in September 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake occurred and the Fukagawa area suffered catastrophic damage.  On that day he walked back to Fukagawa from the Kamata Studio and the following morning he was reunited with his all family members survived the disaster. 

A guardian dog donated by Fukagawa fertilizer wholesalers including Yuasa-ya

(Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine)

Pursuing a career in filmmaking

In 1927, Ozu became a director at Shochiku, making his first silent film Zange no yaiba or "Sword of Penitence." He was very interested in Hollywood movies and their influences could be glimpsed in his early films

One of Ozu's first masterpieces and also the last greatest Japanese silent films is the comedy & drama Umarete wa mita keredo or "I Was Born But …" in 1932.  It gained critical and financial success and was voted the best Japanese film of the year in the "Kinema Jumpo"* poll.  In this film Ozu adopted the technique, which would become his style and trademark such as low angle, minimal or static camera work and simple cuts, etc. 

*Japan's oldest and premiere cinema magazine.

Posters of Ozu's films (Koto City Furuishiba Culture Center: KCFCC)

Stories set in Koto City

Ozu made five films being set in Koto City:

- Dekigokoro "Passing Fancy" (1933),

- Tokyo no yado "An Inn in Tokyo" (1935)

- Hitori musuko "The Only Son" (1936)

- Kaze no naka no mendori "A Hen in the Wind" (1948)

- Tokyo monogatari "Tokyo Story" (1953)

- Akibiyori "Late Autumn" (1960)

Emerging as a world film director

Ozu made 54 films (37 of them extant).  Sanma no aji or "An Autumn Afternoon" (1962) was his last film.  Ozu never married or had his own children, living with his mother until her death in 1962.  As though he was following his mother, he died of cervical malignancy in 1963, almost on his 60th birthday.  Shortly before his death, Ozu's films appeared in foreign movie theaters and International film festivals.

In 2012, "Tokyo Story" topped in the British Film Institute poll of Greatest Films of Directors and Critics published in "Sight & Sound"*, receiving 48 votes out of the 358 directors polled.

*British monthly film magazine published by the British Film Institute (BFI), since 1932

Once in an interview he said, "As my principle of life, I follow the general fashion in ordinary matters and moral laws in serious matters, but in matters of art I follow myself."

His favorite items in showcases (KCFCC)

His favorite items in a showcase (KCFCC)

Haiku poem handwritten by Ozu with his autograph on his folding fan (KCFCC)

Reference:

Ozu Yasujiro to Fukagawa "Yasujiro and Fukagawa" published by Koto City Furuishiba Culture Center http://www.kcf.or.jp/furuishiba/ozu.html

Hideo Tsukiyama - Ozu Collection "Setsuko Hara and Yasujiro Ozu"

December 26, 2015 — February 14, 2016

at Koto City Furuishiba Culture Center

Chill Out at the Seaside Park?

Enjoy autumn at Toyosu Park

It’s getting a little chilly lately in Tokyo, but it’s too early to keep indoors!!!

Now, time to make a trip to the urban seaside park where locals spend relaxing leisure on weekends.

hanging out on dockyard monuments

Here is the Toyosu Park, located 10 minutes by subway from Ginza and few minutes walk from Toyosu station on Yurakucho subway line and Yurikamome line. Toyosu is reclaimed land in the southwestern part of Koto City. The town was prospered as dockyard business in 1980s, and nowadays it’s known as a gate town to seaside area.

The park is located by Tokyo Bay and next to the urban shopping mall, LaLaport Toyosu. The park extends to the west along the sea, and Gas Museum, campsite, Football Park, and concert hall are following. Moreover, Japan’s biggest fish market will open in 2016 near these facilities.

“Mom, I wanna play here!!” – November 15, a festival day for children of 3, 5, 7 years of age

early Santa Claus is ready in courtyard

The mall offers a cinema, wide variety of shops and restaurants (180 in total) including Uniqlo (Japanese fast fashion), MUJI (minimal designed goods store), Tokyu Hands (household goods store), Daiso (100 yen shop). These novelty goods never let you down.

You may be fascinated by Japanese niche products.

today’s lunch

Of course, it’s great to have a meal at a fancy restaurant with a view of the ocean, but you may spend cozy lunch time with a quick & easy meal in the park. To-Go meals and Bento are available at the food court or supermarket (Aoki) in the mall. It’s even fun experience to try Japanese To-Go fast food. Bento shop, curry shop, rice bowl shop (beef & chicken) are around the intersection of Toyosu station.

Toyosu is also known as a town where the first Japanese convenience store was launched. A rice ball, sushi-roll, or sandwich would be great picnic lunch too. Then, do not forget to try 100 yen coffee. A self-service coffee machine makes fresh coffee with a taste similar to café.

On weekends, mini-train runs around the mall for kids, and food event, music event or sport event are often held in the park.  Thus, I guarantee you to have relaxing time in Toyosu Park, greenery open space by seaside. In case you get bored, you can rent an e-bicycle (pre-registration needed) at the park or Toyosu station and enjoy cycling through seaside area, or you can even cruise to Odaiba or Asakusa area.

“All Aboard!!!”

community cycle port under Yurikamome line

heads for Asakusa, traditional feel of Edo

Aren’t you getting tired of Tokyo sightseeing just following a guidebook?

If so, we introduce a free walking tour. 

Experience the daily life of locals with us.  
by E.M.

Let's get together to know about Sumo

Sumo is one of pillars of representing Japanese culture, so it attracts many foreign tourists. As tour guides, even we live in Japan, we don't know about how sumo originated and what is sumo culture. As our self training, we invited lecturer whose name is Yoshitaka Tsuchiya, working at Sumo museum and knowing much about Sumo culture, to give us a Sumo lecture. With new members joining this month, we enjoyed learning much about Sumo. Our mission is to disseminate unique Sumo culture in the world with new knowledge acquired at Sumo lecture . After Sumo lecturer, participated members got together to take a picture.       by A.C

If you would like to know about Sumo, please ask us anytime.
We would like to show you some interesting free walking tours.

New shops in Kiyosumishirakawa

In Kiyosumi-Shirakawa there are many spots, such as traditional Japanese garden, museum, cafes and shops.

In this article I recommend some shops there you can find something happy.

1.Brigela

Dou you know brioche?

Brioche is a pastry of French origin that is similar to a highly enriched bread, and whose high egg and butter content give it a rich and tender crumb.

Here you can get gelato in brioche. It is totally new sweets in japan

I choose pistachio and hazelnuts flavor. A slightly warmed brioche and cold gelato matched and are delicious. They make over ten flavors of gelato that suits the season. You will find your favorite flavor.

 <Brigela>

Open hours:  10:30 to 19:30(Closed on Mondays)

Location: 2-1-6 Miyoshi, Koto-city,Tokyo

2. Co.con

This is a gift shop. There are craft gifts, some items outshined by craftsmanship and artistic accessories.  You will find good souvenir.

■Pouch and cigarette case

■Tabi for kids

Tabi are traditional Japanese socks. Ankle-high and with a separation between the big toe and other toes. Tabi are essential with traditional clothing like kimono.

■Lantern made of washi, Japanese paper

Washi is a style of paper that was first made in Japan.

The word "washi" comes from wa 'Japanese' and shi 'paper', and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner. Washi is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp, and is used in many traditional arts.

<Co.con>

Open hours:  10:30 to 19:30
(Closed on Mondays)

Location: 2-8-1 Miyoshi, Koto-city,Tokyo

3.RAMVIC

This is a pastry factory with artistic exterior. They mainly make and sell to corporate customers, but you can buy pastry from one peace at the entrance.

They sell maffins, dounuts, pies, cream puffs and so on.

These are delicious and offered at lower prices!

e.g. \150/maffin, \200/ cream puff

<RAMVIC>

Open hours:  Everyday, 10:00 to 17:00

Location: 2-6-1 Miyoshi, Koto-city,Tokyo

<Map>

From 10 to 15 minutes walk from Exit A3 Kiyosumishirakawa station on Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line / Oedo Line. by A.N

Are you interested in visiting unique spots in Koto City?

If so, please join our free walking tours　!

Four Divine Animals in Koto City

In Koto City, a new monument is placed in front of the Toyosu Civic Center when the center opened to public this September. It is the White Tiger monument, one of the Four Divine Animals. Other three monuments　have been placed already. So, four monuments are lined up now.

Ｗｈｉｔｅ　Ｔｉｇｅｒ

The Four Divine Animals, called “Sijin” in Japanese, are derived from old Chinese story. They are said to control and take care of safety for four directions, Blue Dragon,”Seiryuu”, for East, Red Phoenix,”Suzaku”, for South, White Tiger,”Byakko”, for West, and Black Snake-Tortoise,”Genbu”, for North.

Ｂｌｕｅ　Ｄｒａｇｏｎ

Ｒｅｄ　Ｐｈｏｅｎｉｘ

Black Snake-Tortoise

Blue Dragon is placed at the park of Higashioojima station, Red Phoenix is in the Wakasu Park and Black Snake-Tortoise is at the park of Kameido station.

Map of the Four Divine Animals in Koto City

Placing divine animals for four directions has been considered to be important when people hold nationwide events such as building castles, making tomb of nobleman and etc. 















In 1983, a mural color painting of Snake-Tortoise on the tomb wall was discovered at Kitora Tumulus, where a noble man was thought to be buried in about 7th or 8th century. The news catched people’s eyes followed by the discovery of mural painting of Blue Dragon and White Tiger in 1998, and by Red Phoenix in 2001.

Snake-tortoise (left) and Red phoenix

Site of Kitora Tumulus in Nara (left) and  Stone room of Kitora

Astronaut, Ms. Naoko Yamazaki

Let me introduce an episode. In 2010, Naoko Yamazaki, a Japanese female astronaut flew away from Kennedy Space Center to the space by Space Shuttle “Discovery” keeping the charm of the Four Divine Animals with her. After she completed the missions in International Space Station and came back to the Earth, she retuned the charm of the Four Divine Animals to Matsudo Shrine to show her appreciation.


There are several construction works going on preparing for the Tokyo Olympic 2020 and Tsukiji Fish Market’s new house in west area of Koto City. The White Tiger will watch the works and take care of the safety of the workers.        by B.I



Are you interested in unique divine animals in Koto city ?
If so, we will introduce you a free walking tour.
Feel free to contact us!  The tour details are here.

Rivers Are Calling You to Come Down

Have you ever seen a people paddling canoe in canals in Tokyo? 
For example, there are so many canals and rivers in Koto city to paddle, 
if we want to. If you do want to paddle canoe in the city and still you 

View from Onagigawa Canal

haven't tried it yet, then I'd say it's a shame to miss out the opportunity. 

Let's paddle in the canal. The weather tends to be extreme due mainly 
to a possible global warming, while the wind blowing across the canals 
is calling you to come down to the place that the water cools you gently.
You may feel so free when you saw birds floating on the water that you 
may forget about the troubles you've left behind in your daily life.

Tatekawa Canoe and Kayak Park

 If you don't know how to paddle canoe, don't worry. Koto city has provided you a place where you can learn how to do it. 
This is the place. Tatekawa Canoe and Kayak Park is only 10 minute walk from the JR Kinshicyo station.

Just visit there and you will find they've got everything you need; 
]such as instructors, canoes and paddles, life jackets and helmets. 
All you need is a pair of sandal and knee-length pants. They stay 
open until the end of October. Please note that they close on 
mondays. You can get more detailed infos about the place 
on their website.  (http://www.city.koto.lg.jp/seikatsu/douro/7476/62316.html)
All Canoeists Were Beginners when They Started

You will be full-fledged canoeist after practicing there couple of times. Then what's next? You may want to paddle in the nature. 
It's not difficult to find plaes where you can enjoy paddling under the blue sky in the Kanto area. For example, Chiba prefecture has a facility named Omigawa Nature House for Youths where you can experience 10km canoe tour on the river flowing into the Tonegawa river. You can refer to the website below; (http://omigawa.shopro.co.jp/）

Those Who Young at Heart Gathered on River Port for Paddling

Full-Fledged Canoeist Enjoys Paddling in the Kurobe river in Omigawa town that flows into the Tonegawa river.

You are not alone!

The Omigawa Nature House has been carrying out an event that offers 
an opportunity for beginners and experienced to challenge 10km canoe tour.

Almost half of 32 participants said they have never touched canoe before.

What would be your goal for paddling canoe? In my case, I'd like to watch the Ryogoku fire works over the Sumida river from canoe floating on the water.

Many Rivers to Cposs

Tokyo is the city sitting on the delta of rivers and canals. 
Why not come out of sardine commuter train and expose yourself to the river wind. Being paddling down the stream, you will really understand why noble Edo people loved boating so much.   by H.K

Autumn is the best season to visit Japan.
Would you like to stroll along the rivers in Koto city ? 

If so, please join our free walking tours!