Arakawa River Now and Then

Arakawa River is a 173 km long river that originates in Okuchichibu and flows into Tokyo Bay.
The river was named after "Raging River”, because it repeated flooding.

Change of Flow in 17th Century

At the end of the 16th century, Arakawa River joined Tone River and frown into Tokyo Bay, repeatedly overflowing and creating a huge wet land in the eastern part of Tokyo.

Fig. 1 Tone River before and after Shift to the East

Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation
https://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/tonejo/tonejo00185.html
(Proper nouns are overwritten in English by author.)

As a flood control project, Tokugawa Ieyasu planned to divide Tone River and Arakawa River at Sekiyado Locks, which still exists in Chiba Prefecture, and over a period of 60 years, Tone River came to flow into the Pacific Ocean at Choshi.

As a result, new rice fields were created and boat shipping routes ware developed to transport lumber to Edo.
These led to Edo's great growth into one million population city.

Change of Flow in Early 20th Century

Arakawa River originally joined current Sumida River and flown into Tokyo Bay near the center of Tokyo City.
After a great flood that hit eastern Tokyo in 1910, a flood control gate at Iwabuchi and diversion of the Arakawa and Sumida Rivers were planned by constructing 500 m wide and 22 km long diversion channel.

 

Fig. 2　Construction of Iwabuchi Flood Control Gate and 22km long Arakawa Diversion Channel

Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation
https://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/kisha/kisha_00224.pdf
(Proper nouns are overwritten in English by author.)

The construction of the channel took 20 years and was completed in 1930, protecting the basin's population of 5 million people from floodings.

Fig. 3　Iwabuchi Flood Gate

Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation
https://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/ktr_content/content/000097701.pdf
(Proper nouns are overwritten in English by author.)

Mr. Akira Aoyama, a leading Japanese civil engineer involved in the construction of Panama Canal, was in charge of design and construction of the flood control gate at present Arakawa River.

Arakawa Amusement

Several paved roads are developed along the river as inspection routes, and is filled with people who enjoy running and cycling every day. You can enjoy the roads without traffic lights as long as 40km from the river mouth.

There are also many baseball and soccer fields, which attract many elementary school students on weekends.

 

Pic. 1　Baseball and Soccer Fields

Many cherry trees are planted along the embankment, and cherry blossom viewing spots are scattered throughout the river.
At Akabane Sakura Bank, 1km upstream of Iwabuchi Flood Gate, cherry blossoms of Someiyoshino and Shiba-Zakura(mossy grass cherry blossoms) are in magnificent competition.

The place is within a walking distance from Akabane-Iwabuchi station on Namboku subway line. Visitors shall definitely enjoy the view.

 

Pic. 2　Akabane Sakura Tsutumi(Dike) in early April

By Yoshihiro Morichika

My town Saga-cho, Now and Then

Do you know Fukagawa Edo Museum?

This museum reproduces the old town of the late Edo period around 200 years ago.  The name of that town is Saga-cho.
They say the name Saga-cho came from the similar shape of Saga Minato port in Hizen-Han as the former feudal domain in Kyushu area.

Saga-cho was located near Nihombashi as the biggest downtown in Edo city.
Besides, there were three canals below connected to Sumida-gawa River, such as Sendai-bori, Nakano-hori and Abura-bori.
Therefor Saga-cho was good place for water transportation.
Rice, lumber, fertilizer, foods, water, fuel were carried through the canals, and people as well.
They used small boats to transport them.
Kinds of boat were Choki-bune (See Figure 1-1.), Oshokuri-bune and the like.
And many warehouses were built here in Saga-cho for the sake of storage the goods.

One more, About Hoshikaba.
Hoshikaba was the market for hoshika and shimekasu, two types of fertilizer.
Hoshika are dried sardines.
Shimekasu are boiled sardines after pressing out the fish oil.
They were brought by sea, mostly from the Boso area in Chiba prefecture, and were distributed nationwide as fertilizer for cotton flax, indigo, tea, tobacco, rice and more.
There was a hoshikaba named “Motoba” here in Saga-cho before.

   (--Many years have passed--) 

Today, Choki-bune and Oshokuri-bune on the canals were gone.
A lot of cars run instead.
Hoshikaba does not exist anymore here.
Warehouses changed to apartment houses (or flats) one after another.

Now, I just live in Saga-cho actually.
Why don’t you come to real Saga-cho after visiting old Saga-cho in the museum?

Figure 1-1. Shape of Choki-bune

Maps of canals in Saga-cho in the 19th Century

Figure 2-1. Canals (19th Century)

Pictures of canals in Saga-cho in the 21st Century

Figure 3-1. Sendai-bori canal (Remained)

Figure 3-2. Nakano-hori canal (Partial Remained)

Figure 3-3. Abura-bori canal (Full Reclaimed)

Public Bathhouse, or “Sento”, one of the best options for relaxation

 Have you ever been to Japanese style public bathhouse, or “Sento” in Japanese word?  If not, I do recommend you going there.

Sento, especially in Tokyo, was developed in Edo era, more than a couple of centuries ago, providing bathing facilities to local resident as there were no in-house bath at that time.

Image courtesy of the University of Tokyo General Library - “Kengu Irigomi Sento Shinwa”, showing Sento in Edo era (*)

Probably because of its long history thereafter, Sento is not just only bathing facilities but also the place for relaxing such as wall painting (featuring Mt. Fuji or other mountain view, seaside view, etc.), very wide space with often high roof, small Japanese garden, rest space and so on, also functions as communication station for local resident; family, kids, young and old generation.

Having such historical background, Sento remains for public up to now and basic Sento fare is very reasonable (JPY520/psn in Tokyo as of September 2023) as it is determined by each local government in return for various governmental financial support to Sento owners in accordance with the relevant regulations.

For me, visiting Sento almost every weekend is an essential part of my life for more than two decades to have a relax time and refresh myself.

I have some first choice favorite Sentos such as the one having free flowing real hot spring, the one having sauna and water pool, the one having artificial carbonated spring & jet water stream massage bath, and so forth. All of them are in Koto Ward or neighboring Ward, within my daily living area.

If I have something to do outside my living area, I often check a Sento map to search for a Sento nearby. As there are about 440 Sentos in Tokyo, I can find some on the way or around that area, enjoying Sento cruise. Sometimes, my crise is extended out of Tokyo as there are Sentos in the other major cities too.

If you do not know which Sento to go or if you want to know more about Sento, please visit Sento Association’s website below:

Tokyo Sento Association (English, Chinese and Korean pages available)
https://www.1010.or.jp/english/

Koto Ward Sento Map as of 2023 (Japanese version only, total 19 sentos)
https://www.city.koto.lg.jp/102040/sangyoshigoto/chusho/jigyo/documents/omote.pdf

At last, I would like to inform you the basic rules and manners in Sento as follows:

- In addition to basic fare (@JPY520 in Tokyo), optional fare may be required such as sauna, depending on each Sento & your needs, and
- Male and female are separated, and,
- No swimming suits are allowed to wear, and,
- Need to wash your body before entering into bathtub, and,
- No swimming is allowed, and,
- No towel is allowed to soak into the bathtub, and,
- No washing clothes nor coloring hair is allowed in the bathroom, and,
- Drying your body by towel before going out of bathroom.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy Sento and hopefully find out your own favorite during your stay!

By Ken Onu (September 2023)

The lumberyard history in Koto-City

 I will write a story of the lumberyard history in Koto-City.

In Edo period, Edo-city was filled with houses made of wood, so fire was a regular occurrence. It was important where the lumberyard should be located because the lumberyard itself fanned a fire.

Back to the early 17th century, beginning of the Edo period, a lumberyard was in center of Edo-city, near Edo castle (current Imperial Palace). Triggered by a big fire in 1641, the Tokugawa shogunate, government decided to move the lumberyard to Fukagawa where is a big open space and easy to transport lumbers on the water.

The new lumberyard was called Moto-Kiba, which means original lumberyard on east side of Sumida-River.

Followed by 1641, the biggest fire ever happened in 1657, which burned out almost two third of the Edo-city (see 'The biggest fire in 1657'). That made the government decide to develop a plan to expand the Edo-city into eastside of Sumida-River.

Fukagawa, near Nihonbashi across the Sumida-River where retail business gathered, was required to supply goods as wholesaler. Because of warehouse supremacy, 60 years later after Moto-Kiba started, it was forced to move again.

Fig. Fukagawa Lumberyards, One Hundred Famous Views of Edo

(Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections) 

The lumberyard moved to Kiba-Area east of Moto-Kiba in 1701 after temporary stay in Sarue-Area. Kiba lumberyard was prepared by the Lumber-Corp members at their cost, which size was 75 acres. The preparation included water channels, bridges on the channels and bank surrounding the area (see 'Kiba in winter'). Between 1701 and 1974, Kiba-Area flourished for 270 years thanks to not only the lumberyard business, but a culture respects. During the period, diverse people such as owner of lumberyard, wood sewer, carpenter, Kawanami acted in the lumberyard (see 'Wood sewer in Kiba'). Most of lumbers used for house building in Edo-city were produced within Kiba-Area. Edo-city was biggest city in the world with more than one million population those days. Among people in the lumber business, the most famous merchant, an owner of lumberyard was Bunzaemon Kinokuriya, who made a big money supplying lumber.

He also undertook major projects including Ueno-Kaneiji temple construction with the government’s tremendous help.

The lumber merchants lifted teahouse or Chaya business to entertain merchant’s guest. They enjoyed drinking and conversation with geishas (see 'Chaya'). This culture raised a sense of ‘Iki’, an aesthetic sense that values being sophisticated, stylish, casual, smart, and considerate.

Lumbers were cut and carried off mountains all over Japan. They were transported to Edo-city by Kawanami. Kawanami was assigned all responsibilities by a merchant.

He selects woods in the forest, transports them making a raft in the water (see 'Kawanami and a raft').

He negotiated the sales price with suppliers of houses and temples. Kawanami created the cultures such as Kiyari, labor song and Kakunori, a play to rotate a squared lumber using both legs.

Kiba-Area became inland for Tokyo-Bay being reclaimed and had problems of land subsidence, water pollution and others. The lumberyard was forced to move again to the southern direction of Kiba-Area, Shin-Kiba. It started as huge industrial park with 600 companies in 1974 (see 'Shin-Kiba lumberyard at early time'). Glory of Shin-Kiba, however could not last long because the way of the lumber business changed from pulpwood to processed wood.

The lumberyard is not necessary anymore. In addition, the rate of wooden house declined. There is Wood Museum to exhibit wood industry (see 'Lumber Museum').

On the site of Kiba-Area, Kiba-Park was developed and opened to the public in 1992 (see 'Kiba-Park'). The park was developed based on disaster prevention plan by Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Its size is 60 acres. It works as a relaxing place like New York Central Park.

There is Museum Of contemporary art Tokyo in the park (see 'Museum of contemporary art').

You will have a fun looking around the park. If lucky, you can see Kakunori play someday in October (see 'Kakunori play').

B.I.

Manga and Anime are another part of Japanese culture!

In the Ariake and Aomi areas of Koto-ku, you can see Manga and Anime characters. Are these characters known in your country?

(1) Ceramic Relief of Tezuka Manga Characters

Photo 1: Ceramic relief “Tezuka Osamu, Characters on Parade” (Concourse of Kokusai-Tenjijo Station)

Tezuka Osamu (1928-1989) is the father of Manga. Reliefs of 36 characters from his works are displayed in the concourse of Kokusai-Tenjijyo Station on the Rinkai Line (see Photo1). They include “Jungle Emperor,” “Astro Boy,” and the genius surgeon “Black Jack". The relief, extracted from a 1976 poster by Tezuka Osamu, is approximately 2.6 meters long and 8.8 meters wide, and was installed here in 2019.

(2) Popular photo location for cosplayers

Photo 2: Yumeno Ohashi Bridge

On weekends during the pleasant season, young people often dress up in costumes of Manga and Anime characters and take photos on the Yumeno Ohashi Bridge (see Photo 2).

The bridge is 360 meters long and up to 60 meters wide. It has no power lines and is closed to cars, making it a popular place to take cosplay photos. This bridge was built in 1990. 

(3) Doraemon Time Square

Photo 3: Doraemon Time Square (in front of the first-floor entrance of Diver City Tokyo Plaza Building)

“Doraemon” is a Japanese Manga series that began in 1969 and has been adapted into an animated TV series and a movie series. Doraemon, a cat-shaped robot from the 22nd century, helps Nobita, an elementary school boy who is not good at studying or exercising, by using futuristic goods such as s flying propeller and a transportation door. Doraemon Time Square (see Photo 3) is opened in 2019. The clock is approximately 3.8 meters high and 4 meters wide. Every 0 minutes from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm, the red curtain is opened and the dolls inside play music. The music has a daytime version and a nighttime version.

(4) Gundum

Photo 4: Unicorn Gundum (Festival square, in front of the 2nd floor entrance of Diver City Tokyo Plaza Building)

“Mobile Suite Gundum” is an Anime TV series that began in 1979. Gundum is a robot piloted by a boy. The cockpit is located behind the Gundam’s face. At the festival square, you can see a life-sized unicorn Gundam, 19.7 meters tall and weight 49 tons (see Photo 4). The Gundam transforms from Unicorn Mode to Destroy Mode at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm. Before the transformation times, the area is crowded with tourists. There is also a night show. This Gundam was installed here in 2017, as the third generation. The performance schedule and access are showed below.

https://www.unicorn-gundam-statue.jp/en/#about

 (Yasuko)

Travel back in time to 19th century Tokyo!

A small museum in the city where you can travel back in time to a town in Edo (former Tokyo). The Fukagawa Edo Museum is now regaining the bustle it had before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the exhibition room that reproduces Fukagawa-Sagacho (a town in Edo) around 1840, there are life-size reproductions of shops and houses lined up. The selling point of this museum was that you could enter any building and directly touch any of the exhibits. You could feel the life of people in those days.

The museum was crowded with many foreign visitors before the COVID-19 pandemic, but due to the spread of COVID-19, it was forced to be temporarily closed on February 29, 2020. After being closed for 3 months (the closed period was extended once), the exhibition was reopened on June 1st. You could no longer touch anything. It felt like looking at old things through a showcase, and that overwhelming presence was lost.

I am an English volunteer guide in the museum. I sometimes guided during this period, but there were no visitors from overseas. Even if I occasionally saw non-Japanese visitors, they were the people living in Japan who had lost the opportunity to return to their homeland. They came to the museum to find something to enjoy in their daily life in a difficult situation. However, I felt it a pity that they could not enjoy the museum full of presence in the past.

From April 25 to May 31, 2021, the museum was forced to temporarily close again due to the re-expansion of COVID-19. On June 1, the exhibition room was reopened for viewing, but it was closed again due to renovation work on facilities (unrelated to COVID-19). The closure lasted nine months and the exhibition has resumed since August 1, 2022.

As for the exhibits, restrictions are gradually being eased as the COVID-19 pandemic has calmed down considerably. It is now possible to enter some buildings, as well as to touch basically all the exhibits. Where there is a notice saying "Please take off your shoes.", you can enter the room after taking off your shoes.

If there is a notice saying "Please do not step in the house.", it is still prohibited to enter.

Though some restrictions still remain, the old feeling of "hands-on with Edo life" has returned. Visitors from overseas have been returning too! In addition to European countries, the United States, and Southeast Asian countries, of which a lot of people visited us in the past, we also have visitors from a variety of countries, such as a group of visitors from Israel I guided the other day. I am so happy as an English volunteer guide.

On the KEV website, we offer several model courses. The Fukagawa Edo Museum is included in Course B. Courses can be combined. Please contact us from the KEV website. We look forward to guiding you.

(Text and photos by Naoki)

The closest golf course from the center of mega city in the world?

Do you know that there is a full-fledged golf course in Koto -ku in Tokyo?  

Yes, there is. It’s called Wakasu Golf Links.

I think it’s one of the closest golf courses from the center of mega city in the world.

It’s only about 10kms from the center of Tokyo. It only takes about 20 minutes from the famous Ginza by the subway and the golf club’s bus.

Where is the golf course located?  It’s located in Tokyo Bay Area. It’s faced Tokyo Bay.

Why is the course located there? I’ll explain the history.

This area was reclaimed land that had been filled with household garbage and other waste over a period of 10 years from 1965 to 1974. Surplus soil from the construction of the Shinjuku New Metropolitan Government Building is also being used.

Golf club’s bus at the nearest subway Station Shin-Kiba

View of the golf course from the yacht harbor

It was opened in Dec. 1990 as Tokyo metropolitan public golf course.

The name is based on the name of a golf course in Scotland, the birthplace of golf.

Wakasu Golf Links is one of Tokyo's best full-fledged golf courses, with a total length of 6,970 yards and 18 par 72 holes in a beautiful location surrounded by the sea on three sides.

Starting place of the front nine

Starting place of the back nine

Although the course is generally flat, the fairways of each hole have large and small undulations, and there are mounds on the fairway sides, making the course highly strategic.

As it is a seaside course, it will be more difficult when the strong wind blows.

Advanced golfers can feel the tension of not allowing mistakes, and women and beginners can enjoy the fun of golf. 

Golfers can also enjoy the wonderful view of Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Bay while playing.

Pictures of the course

You might be surprised that many Japanese golf courses have their gorgeous clubhouse, but this course has only the casual clubhouse because it's a public course.

The view of the club house

The playing fee with a caddie is about 15,000 yen on weekdays and about 24,000 yen on weekends. What do you think of this fee, expensive or reasonable?

How do we book this course?  Reservations are accepted by phone or online from 12:00 on the day one month before playing golf. But. it’s really hard to book the course.  

Even if you make a phone call, it is busy and you could hardly connect. It's the same online.

Wakasu Golf Links is said to be the most difficult golf course to book in Japan.

Recently, it was announced on the website that all reservations will be shifted from first-come-first-served basis to lottery.

I wish we could play golf there with our guests from overseas in the future.

 Official website of Wakasu Golf Links : 若洲ゴルフリンクス公式サイト (golftk.com) 

 (No English version)

By Isao

Let's try Ramen in the "Tangyo" Sanctuary.

 Ramen is one of the most typical dishes in Japan. Have you ever tried it? Ramen is a noodle dish consisting mainly of Chinese noodles and soup, combined with toppings such as char-siu pork, seasoned bamboo shoots, seasoned boiled egg, nori (dried seaweed). 1) Chinese noodles: Should the noodles be thick or thin? Should the cross-sectional shape be round or square? 2) Soup base: Soy sauce or salt? Miso (soybean paste)? 3) Toppings: What to put on top? Each restaurant offers Ramen with its own unique twist. Japanese imported this dish from China and put their own spin on it to make what is one of the fast foods in Japan. There are many types of local Ramen throughout Japan. Tokyo Ramen typically consists of thin, frizzled noodles, chicken broth flavored with soy sauce, and toppings such as char-siu pork, seasoned bamboo shoots, and nori.

Typical Tokyo Ramen

Ramen is very familiar to the Japanese. There is an area in the Kiba/Toyocho neighborhood of Koto-City that offers a unique way of eating Ramen. It is to eat Tanmen and Gyoza (crescent-shaped pan-fried dumplings stuffed with minced pork and vegetables) as a set. It is called "Tangyo" for short. Tanmen is a dish of stir-fried vegetables and pork, simmered in a chicken broth, and served with Chinese noodles.

Ordering Gyoza as a side dish with Ramen is by no means special, but the style of ordering them as Tangyo has been around for a long time and is unique for the reason. I am not sure how this style came about (Although I have looked into it).

Tangyo (Tanmen and Gyoza)

As you can see, it's a very hearty meal! Just order "Tangyo" and you will be one of the locals! Get a taste of Japanese food culture in the Kiba/Toyocho neighborhood of Koto-City, where you will find a several popular restaurants serving Tangyo. Last but not least Japanese people believe that slurping will enhance the taste of noodle and stimulate their appetite. The nearest stations to the Tangyo Sanctuary are Kiba Station (T13) or Toyocho Station (T14) on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.

ATSUGI, Takeshi

Open terrace along Sumida River

I’ll introduce a waterside of Sumida River in Koto city, Tokyo. 

The reason why is that watersides are closely related to lives of the local residents, and I would like you to enjoy them as well. Many people enjoy jogging, walking, walking their dogs, and basking in the sun along rivers. 

In the Edo period, goods were transported through rivers. In those days Sumida River supported economic activities as part of the water transportation network.

Now the river has finished its role as transportation waterway and has become a place for people to relax.

This picture shows the terrace of Sumida River. It's located 2 kilometers east of Tokyo Station. The river flows to Tokyo Bay.

There is also an open deck adjacent to a restaurant. You can enjoy coffee, draft beer and clam chowder there, as of 2023. 

This deck is open to the public from 7am to midnight. From the deck, you can see Tokyo Sky Tree, boats crossing Sumida River, and Kiyosu Bridge. 

Tokyo Sky Tree, a broadcasting tower, is the tallest free-standing structure in Japan. Kiyosu Bridge is a nationally designated important cultural property. The tower and the bridge are beautifully lit up at night.

This sightseeing boat is popular with tourists and locals alike. It's designed by Matsumoto Reiji, a master of the manga and anime world. The boat resembles the spaceships Matsumoto Reiji draws in his anime. 

Why don't you come here sometime to relax in the nice open air?

The nearest station is Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Subway Station, 'Z11'.

by YM

#KEV #KAWATERRACE #Tokyo_Sky_Tree #Sky_Tree #SkyTree #Sumida_River #Kiyosu_Bridge #Sumida_Terrace #Matsumoto_Reiji #Reiji_Matsumoto #Tokyo_Cruise #Open_Terrace #KawaTerrace #Kawa_terrace #Koto_English-speaking_Volunteer_Guide_Association 

Japanese yellow rose and Stature of Ota Dokan (山吹の花と太田道灌像)

Keiko Miyoshi

 

I had two memories.

One of those was a story in medieval period: One Samurai had rain on his way back from his father's home. He didn’t have a raincoat,蓑（みの）,so he stopped at a farmers house and asked to borrow it. A woman came out from the house and gave him a small branch of Japanese yellow rose(山吹の花). Then, she sang him Waka, Classic Japanese poem,「七重、八重、花は咲けども山吹の実の（みの）1つだに無きぞ悲しき」. The samurai didn’t understand its meaning, so his subordinate taught him the meaning. “She would like to lend you a raincoat, but she is poor, what she can do is only give a branch of Japanese yellow rose”. The samurai was ashamed of his lack of knowledge. Then he started to learn Classic Japanese poem.

I read this story in my young age. Back then, I was impressed by her action and poem, “what a elegant lady she was！". But, I was not interested in the Samurai at all.

Another memory was a samurai stature.

Before The Tokyo Metropolitan Government office was moved to Sinjuku, the offices were located near to JR,Yurakucho station. City workers had opportunity to go there with documents in urgent time. I saw one samurai stature that was standing in front of the first building of the Government office. “Who is he ? ”. Again, I had no interest in that Samurai.

A lot of water has flowed under the bridges.

Recently, I had chance to learn Koto-ku history through some books. Onagigawa river was constructed to transport salt from Gyotoku in Chiba prefecture, to Edo, now Tokyo. It was first work by Tokugawa Ieyasu(徳川家康), first governor in Edo period (※1603～1867). He is an icon who built Edo Castle and continued 260 years peaceful era.

But, in the moment, I found one samurai name in a small space in the book. His name is Ota Dokan(太田道灌) who built Edo Castle in the latter period of Muromachi period (※1336～1549). Original main castle and 2 another buildings of Edo Castle were built by him. Furthermore, small ports were constructed near the castle and the economy was flourishing. He was a clever person with the pen and sword. He had loyalty to his master and expanded their territory. Unfortunately, he was assassinated by a plot because allied armies feared his ability. He was also good at literature, “A story of the Japanese yellow rose ” was introduced in the same page in the book.

At that moment, two memories were connected in my mind. The samurai, who was given a Japanese yellow rose, and the stature of Samurai, was Ota Dokan. Then I thought "Where did the stature go?"

I opened my PC, and found that it has been setting in the Glass Building of the Tokyo Forum, former site of the Tokyo Government office. Surprisingly, I also found a lot of his statures in Kanto area. I know Tokugawa Ieyasu is a prominent person. But I believe Ota Dokan was also honored by many people. Otherwise there aren’t so many statures.

I found a feeling of satisfaction and relief in my mind.

※depens on data

Oh! What is that?

Something red and white over there rightward. (The lefttward red box is a mailbox.)

Let’s take a closer look.

It has a red ribbon. What is it?

It has two red eyes and two antlers. Yes, it’s a reindeer!
By the reindeer, the tree has a wreath.

Merry Christmas!

These photos are taken at Toyosu quarter in Koto City. Actually, Toyosu volunteer group tend this flowerbed. If you visit here, you can enjoy beautiful and colorful flowers every time in the year.

(By Sho)

Prelude to Oku no Hosomichi

 

Everything has its beginning and end.

The same is true of the Japanese master of haiku in the Edo period that spanned over two hundred and fifty years from early 1600. A haiku in Japanese, written in five-seven-five form, is composed of 17 syllables. Today, it is increasingly popular around the world. A classical Japanese haiku should include a seasonal term.

Matsuo Basho had set out northward on a hundred-fifty-day long journey from Fukagawa in 1689, according to published records by his and others. He was 46 at the time.

After selling his humble reed-thatched cottage near the Sumida River, the great haiku poet temporarily stayed at the villa owned by Sugiyama Sanpu, one of his disciples in the city of Edo (present Tokyo).

Sanpu, a wealthy fish wholesaler and one of the talented disciples, supported financially his master who had lived in Fukagawa for 14 years. At present, a bronze statue of Basho in travel attire in those days stands at the site called “Saito-an, the place where Basho had departed from.

After wrapping up the 2,400-kilometers’ (1,500 miles) travels, it took five years for the haiku master to finish off “Oku no Hosomichi” (The Narrow Road to Oku). Some scholars say that Oku in this context means deep north, but others state that the traveling by the great poet was intended to go deeply into the world of haiku, or both.

In 1694、Basho passed away at age of fifty-one in Osaka.

The Saito-an is five minutes’ walk from the A-1 exit of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa subway station in the capital’s Koto City. Elsewhere nearby, there are several interesting spots to visit connected with the haiku poet.

Go to the Basho Museum website at; https://www.kcf.or.jp/basho/

by kozo

Taste of Autumn：Chestnut rice

 

Autumn is often referred to as "autumn of appetite" or "autumn of harvest" because of the variety of foods that are harvested in the season and the enjoyment of eating them.

Sanma (saury), written in Chinese characters as "autumn sword fish," is a typical autumn delicacy, shaped like a long, thin sword.

Vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and mushrooms, as well as fruits such as grapes and pears, are also harvested in abundance during this season.　Rice is also harvested at this time of year. The new rice, called "shinmai," is shiny, sweet, and very tasty.

 

Among them, my favorite autumn delicacy is chestnuts. Japanese chestnuts are sweet and delicious, and can be boiled and eaten as they are, or used as ingredients for various sweets.

Today, I would like to share with you a chestnut rice dish that my family looks forward to every year.

It is very easy to make. All you have to do is peel thick chestnuts and cook them with an appropriate amount of salt. After cooking, sprinkle a pinch of sesame seeds and enjoy. Since the seasoning is simple, you can taste the flavor of the chestnuts themselves.

 

There are various types of chestnut rice depending on the household. It can be eaten at bento shops and Japanese restaurants, or you can buy products for chestnut rice that have been peeled and seasoned. If you have a chance, please try it.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　（by Kaori）

Why huge Yokozuna Monument is here?

 

 You can find a huge stone monument at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

It weighs 20 tons with its height of 285 centimeters, width 288 and depth 51. ‘yokozuna rikishi hi’ is inscribed in the center of the monument in thick Japanese characters.

On the back of the stone are inscribed the ring names of successive Yokozunas, sumo grand champions.

 

Sumo has a very long history in Japan. In mythical era, two strongest men had a battle and Nominosukune won. Then he was enshrined as a god of sumo. In 9^th to 12^th century sumo ceremony was held as a ritual at the imperial court. From around 16^th century warlords employed strong sumo wrestlers and enjoyed watching their bouts.

 

But there were other sumo wrestlers who were dismissed by their lords, or strong farmers, firemen, etc. They had sumo bouts at a crossroads or on unoccupied grounds surrounded by spectators. Even spectators could participate in the bout without prior reservations. Spectators sat or stood around the sumo ground and bet money on their favorite wrestlers. As there weren’t strict rules of wins and losses at that time, fighting occurred frequently as to the result of the match, causing injuries among wrestlers and spectators.

The then government warried about those troubles and repeatedly banned the sumo bouts.

 

After Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine burned down by fire in 1682, they planned to hold a fundraising sumo tournament at the venue to rebuild their shrine and asked permission from the Edo government. The petition was granted in 1684. Because lordless or jobless wrestlers must make a living, otherwise they might disturb social order. Or because if entertainment-hungry people would throng to see the sumo tournament, then the Shrine area would prosper and be developed, which was a reclaimed land with a sparce population but rather near to the center of Edo city across the Sumida River.

 

Officially licensed grand sumo tournaments were held four times a year, two in Edo, one in Kyoto and one in Osaka. In between 1684 and 1801, Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine held about 50 fund raising sumo tournaments before the venue was moved to Ryogoku Ekoin Temple.

It is said that, at this time, strict sumo rules were made such as the size of the ring, sumo wrestlers ranking list on one sheet of paper or winning techniques.

At that time the highest sumo rank was Oozeki. Yokozuna was rather an honorary rank although he must be strong enough.

First ‘yokozuna,’ a horizontal rope much like a sacred festoon in front of a Shinto shrine, was awarded to Tanikaze Kajinosuke, then to Onogawa Kisaburo.

The awarding ceremony was held at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.

In Edo period (-1867), twelve sumo wrestlers were awarded Yokozuna titles.

 

In Meiji period (1868-1912), Jinmaku Kyugoro, the last Yokozuna in Edo period,  planned to erect a monument to commemorate the great achievements of successive Yokozunas. After seven years of his effort, he could collect contribution from every field of life, and finally materialized his plan.

In 1900, a huge Yokozuna monument was erected in the back yard of the main building of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.

For the first time in sumo history, the number of generations were assigned to each Yokozuna.

 

Before deciding who was the first, second, third, or who really existed, or who was qualified as a Yokazuna, Jinmaku widely sought information about former Yokozunas.

 

The generation number is still inherited today. The latest Yokozuna, Terunofuji, is 73^rd.

 

Please come and see the huge Yokozuna monument at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine. There is also Ozeki Monument in the precinct nearby.

 

For more information, please refer to our blogs, Ceremony to join list of greatest sumo wrestlers at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, June 9, 2017 and ‘A History of Sumo’ Tour on June 24^th, June 13, 2017

 

Note: Today Yokozuna is the highest sumo rank and Ozeki is the next.

 

By Hiroshi Nishitani

 

KEV’s first virtual tour

 

Higashi Nakano

We received the email from an Indonesian school teacher to ask us whether we conduct virtual tours for her students last December. Since her elementary school students have studied from home via video due to the prolonged pandemic, she hoped they could experience Japanese culture and views virtually.

 She found some people who visited Japan appreciating our KEV on the internet. That’s why she contacted us.

Actually, we had no experience of virtual tours, so we immediately discussed our possibility for them. We were also thinking about the need to interact with foreign people because we couldn’t welcome any inbound tourists for about 2 years since the spring of 2020. Eventually, we decided to launch our first virtual tour and organize the project team in our association at the end of last year.

 The 7 members who love novel things gathered around and had several meetings both in person and video-meeting to create our first virtual tour. We made the tour plan where we’d like to tell the students about Japanese seasonal events and introduce our popular destinations such as Tomioka-Hachimangu shrine and Sunamachi shopping street. Then, we suggested our plan to Indonesian teachers and discussed it by email and a zoom meeting. Some of our members went around to film those destinations. Also, locals and local government staff cooperated with us about our activities.

 We really enjoyed exchanging opinions actively with members and interacting with the friendly teachers.

 And, finally we conducted our virtual tour on March 11^th!  The students, ranging from first graders to sixth graders, were very adorable. We all enjoyed the tour with several questions like “I like sushi.”, “I like Japanese tea.”, “I want to eat Tai-yaki. (a fish-shaped pancake)” and so on. They were really cute!

Nakano speaks to students. Other members watching their images

Through this experience, we realized that we could talk with each other and make foreign friends in spite of the pandemic. Thank you for your suggestion for the virtual tour. Some day after the pandemic, we will welcome you in person in Japan!

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