Edo - the EDOPEDIA -

6/26/2018

Katsushika ward Shibamata

Formerly a part of
. Musashi no Kuni 武蔵国 Musashi Province .

It might have been a land overgrown with arrowroot.
The name was also spelled 勝鹿, 河都志加, 加止志加 - therefore the original name did not refer to
the kuzu, katsura 葛, but to the land formation of lowlands and ridges near the 利根川 river Tonegawa.

. kuzu 葛 kudzu flower, arrowroot flower .
Pueraria lobata, grows very strong in wetlands
A person like a kuzu, "ningen no kuzu" means "human garbage".

..............................................................................................................................................

- quote -
... one of the special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It lies in the northeast of the ward area. The ward calls itself Katsushika City in English.
The long running film series, the Otoko wa Tsurai yo series starring Kiyoshi Atsumi as Tora-san, takes place in Katsushika, as does the manga series, Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo.
- - - - - History
Katsushika District was originally a division of Musashi Province. When the province was divided and reconfigured, the district was partitioned between Kita-Katsushika District (within Saitama Prefecture), Higashi-Katsushika District (within Chiba Prefecture) and the remainder was based in Tokyo Prefecture. Minami-Katsushika District conformed today's Katsushika Ward proper, plus Edogawa, Koto and Sumida wards.
On October 1, 1932,
the former Minami-Katsushika District of what was then known as Tokyo Prefecture, and its seven towns and villages, merged and became part of the old Tokyo City.
The special ward was founded on March 15, 1947.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

- - - - - Districts - - - - -
. Aoto 青砥 /　青戸 / 青津 Aoto district .
. Horikiri district 掘切 "digging a moat" .
Hosoda 細田
. Iizuka 飯塚 .
Kamakura　鎌倉
. Kameari 亀有 Kameari district . - 西亀有 Nishi-Kameari
. Kanamachi 金町 / Higashi Kanamachi / . / Toganemachi
Kosuge 小菅
. Mizumoto 水元 Mizumoto district .
Higashi Mizumoto / Minami Mizumoto / Nishi Mizumoto / Mizumoto Koen 水元公園
. Niijuku　にいじゅく/ 新宿 .
. Ohanajaya お花茶屋 Ohanajaya district .
Okudo 奥戸
- - Shibamata - see below
Shinkoiwa 新小岩　/ Higashi Shin-koiwa / Nishi Shin-koiwa
Shiratori 白鳥
Takaramachi 宝町
. Takasago 高砂 Takasago district .
. Tateishi 立石村 Tateishi Mura Village .
. Yotsugi 四つ木 / Higashi Yotsugi .

..............................................................................................................................................

- quote -
The name is attested in the 万葉集 Manyōshū so we know this is an ancient name. The probability of it not being Japanese in origin is high.
There are various theories, but none of them are certain.
1 – Katsushika's かつ katsu
comes from an older word カテ kate or カト kato which meant cliff, hill, or knoll. shika しか comes from an older スカ which meant “sandbar.” The general idea being that this name referred to the lowlands on the right bank and the elevated ridge on the left bank of the Tonegawa 利根川 Tone River (present day 江戸川 Edogawa Edo River).
2 – The name was given
to the area by the “people of the south sea”.
According to this theory, in whatever dialect or language these people spoke it referred to a hunting ground.
3 – The kanji is literal. 葛 katsu
is an onyomi and nanori of kuzu arrowroot. 飾 shika is the nanori of kazaru to decorate. Arrowroot is a kind of vine that grows near rivers. It’s an invasive plant that quickly spreads and takes over an area. It is used to make some kinds of jellies for Japanese sweets. If this etymology is accepted, the meaning is then literally “a field or area decorated (overgrown with) Japanese Arrowroot.”
- source : japanthis.com/2013... -

..............................................................................................................................................

Katsushika no Mama 葛飾の真間 Mama town
An old poem from the 万葉集 Manyoshu poetry collection :

葛飾の真間の浦廻を漕ぐ舟の舟人騒ぐ波立つらしも
Katsushika no Mama no urama o kogu fune no funabito sawagu nami tatsu rashimo

.......................................................................

真間の紅葉手古那の社継はし Maple Trees at Mama, Tekona Shrine and Linked Bridge
歌川広重　名所江戸百景 Hiroshige

- quote -
Mama in Katsushika was described in some Japanese poems in Manyoshu (Myriad Leaves), and many poets have written Mama in their works since then.
In Edo period, Hiroshige painted Mama in his work 'Edo Meisho Hyakkei' (the 100 best scenic places in Edo), and Mama was introduced as one of the best spots in Edo in Edo Meisho Zue (a guide book of Edo), Issa Kobayashi, a famous haiku poet, and Mitsukuni Mito, a famous lord and a relative of Tokugawa Shogun Family, visited.
In early 20th century, many people loved and lived in Mama, many writers such as Rohan Koda, Shotaro Yasuoka, Hakushu Kitahara and Kafu Nagai lived and wrote memories of Mama and Ichikawa city.

- - - - - Ota Dokan
武士のいくさの場の勝しかや国はこころのままの継ぎはし
Mononofu no ikusaba no Katsushika ya kuni wa kokoro no Mama no Tsugihashi

Mama no tsugihashi - the connecting bridge of Mama
Mama no Tsughihashi Bridge is a small bridge with red parapets under the stone steps in front of the Niomon Gate of Mamasan Guhoji Temple has described in some poems since the period of Manyoshu or Myriad Leaves. The word Tsugihashi means that a bridge attached with planks, so it was a simple wooden bridge connected several wooden bridges to be built on the sandbar called Ichikawa Sasu, it might be called Mama no Irie (Mama Cove), Mama no Ura (Mama Creek) and Mama no Hama (Mama Beach) in thousand years ago. Mama where Tsugihashi Bridge built over was popular scenic spot during Edo period,

- - - - - Priest Nittei
足の音せず行かむ駒もが葛飾の　真間の継橋やまず通わむ
Ashi no oto sezu yukamu koma mo ga Katsushika no Mama no Tshughihashi yamazu kayowamu

I would like to get a horse that could run silently
since I would like to pass Mama no Tsugihasi bridge in Katsushika
to visit my sweetheart every day.

- - - - -Masaoka Shiki
真間寺や枯木の中の仁王門
Mamadera ya kareki no naka no niomon

冬枯やはるかに見ゆる真間の寺
fuyugare ya haruka ni miyuru Mama no tera

Mamasan Guhoji Temple - page with more poems about Mama.
- source : smileandhappiness.net/mama...-

真間弘法寺 Mama Kobo-Ji
江戸名所図会 Edo Meisho Zue

- Homepages of Mamasan Guho-Ji
- reference source : mamasan.or.jp... -

- Mamasan Guhoji Temple - The Head Temple of Nichiren Sect
- reference source : mamasan-guhoji-temple-english... -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Shibamata 柴又 Shibamata district
葛飾区柴又 Katsushika Shibamata

The old name was Shimamata 嶋俣 "Island with thighs".
There were many islands in this area, some with strange formations along the river.
Already since the Nara period about 40 families lived here.
The name was later written 柴俣, Shibamata. At the beginning of the Edo period, the characters 柴又 were used.
The farmers of 柴又村 Shibamata village often suffered from the flooding of the river 江戸川 Edogawa, with famine and epidemics.
One village headman, 斉藤七郎右衛門 Saito Shichroemon, worked hard with the Bakufu government to improve the crops of the farmers and helped the village to survive. 40 years later in 1826, a memorial was erected in the Shrine 柴又八幡神社　Shibamata Hachiman Jinja.

- quote -
While not the largest shrine in Katsushika, there is something special about Shibamata Hachiman Shrine.
The original shrine was reportedly to have been built on top of an ancient tomb of the Shibamata village according to documents from the Edo period.
A 98 ft. (30 meters) circular mound was found and it dates from the 6th to 7th century.
According to historical documents, the shrine is mentioned as part of Shibamata Village, known as Shimamurasato was found in the Shosoin documents dated back in the year 721 and it is mentioned that a main hall was build on an ancient tomb.
The shrine was rebuilt or restored in 1633 but the current shrine was rebuilt in May 1943.
- source and photos : dennis amith com -

.......................................................................

Close to Shibamata is
Yagiri no watashi 矢切の渡し, the river crossing of Yagiri
Yagiri no Watashi was a famous exit road of Edo, crossing the river 江戸川 Edogawa
to the village of Yagiri in 千葉 Chiba.

- quote -
Before there were bridges, people were using ferry boats to cross the rivers in Tokyo, as they were doing anywhere else. The only place where this is still in use in Tokyo is in Shibamata, albeit just for tourists. This crossing is called the Yagiri no Watashi.
A ferry, without motor, connects Shibamata with Matsudo city in Chiba prefecture as it has been done for the past 400 years. Maximum 30 people can take place in the boat and it takes 10 minutes to cross the Edogawa river.
This crossing,
together with the Taishakuten temple, is part of the 100 Landscapes of Japan that represent Japan during the Heisei era (the current time period started in 1989 when Emperor Akihito acceded to the throne, time periods in Japan coincide with the reign of an emperor). Only 7 places in Tokyo made it on this list, which means this is really a place dear to many Japanese. It is also part of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan, a list of 100 places in Japan where natural and traditional sounds prevail. It was made in 1996 by the Japanese Ministry of Environment in an effort to combat noise pollution and protect the environment.

The crossing has its origin in connecting the two farm communities at either side of the river. It has sort of an idyllic atmosphere around it thanks to the novel from Sachio Itō titled Nogiku no Haka (“The Wild Daisy” from 1906, literal translation: Grave of Wild Chrysanthemum) and a song about the crossing written by Miyuki Ishimoto. The novel was made into movies in 1955, 1966 and in 1981.
- source : old-tokyo.info/yagiri-no-watashi... -

.......................................................................

Yagirinegi, Yagiri negi 矢切葱 / 矢切ねぎ leek from Yagiri
was grown along the Edogawa river bank at temple 西蓮寺 Sairen-Ji in Chiba.

..............................................................................................................................................

Shibamata Taishaku-Ten temple 柴又帝釈天

- quote -
Shibamata Taishakuten is a Buddhist temple in Katsushika, Tokyo.
Founded in 1629, the main image is of Taishakuten.In 1996 the Ministry of the Environment designated the temple and its ferryboat as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan. In 2009 the temple and its ferryboat were selected as one of the 100 Landscapes of Japan (Heisei era).
- source : wikipedia -

. Taishaku-Ten 柴又帝釈天 .
One of the most famous ita honzon 板本尊 deity carved on a wooden plank is at Taishaku Ten in Shibamata.
Monkey amulets from Shibamata Taishaku Ten

Otoko wa Tsurai yo 　男はつらいよ　"It's Tough Being a Man"
Katsushika Shibamata Torasan Memorial Hall
- source : gotokyo.org/en... -

..............................................................................................................................................

Shibamata Shichifukujin pilgrimage 柴又七福神

. Shibamata Shichifukujin 七福神 Seven Gods of Good Luck .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

.................................................................................　Katsushika 葛飾区

. Dairokuten Ma-O 第六天魔王 Number Six Heavenly Deity .
There were Shrines for this fearful deity in many areas of Edo.

葛飾区亀有の高木神社（旧称：第六天社）Katsushika, Kameari - Takagi Jinja
北葛飾郡杉戸町下野 - 第六天社 Kita-Katsushima district, Sugito

. 高木神社 Takagi Jinja .

This deity punishes the bad and rewards the good people.
Once upon a time,
There was an epidemy in the village 宝木塚村 Hogizuka with many dead people. The reason was the missing faith in a protecting deity - or so they said. Finally they got a deity from 第六天神社 Dairokuten Jinja in Asakusa and the epidemy stopped.

- - - - -

. 龍燈 / 龍灯 / 竜灯と伝説 Legends about Ryuto, "Dragon Lantern" .
In Katsushika village at 木下川浄光寺 the temple Joko-Ji in Kinegawa there was always a dragon lantern to be seen on the eighth day of each month and on the third day of the first lunar month.
When priest 慈覚大師 Jikaku Daishi wisited the Northern region, he stayed some time at 浅草寺 Asakusadera.
One day an old man with white hair appeared and told him, that in the East there was 霊地 a sacred place where he should place a statue of himself. So he prepared a statue and set off to the East. Suddenly he saw auspicious clouds all in one place and then a 青竜 green dragon in the clouds.
So Ennin founded a temple here for the dragon. The dragon was happy about this and then his features dissolved again in the sky.
But from time to time there were 竜燈 dragon lights in the area now.

. Ennin - Jigaku Daishi 慈覚大師 / 慈覺大師 (794 – 864) .

- - - - -

sekiji 赤児 a baby
In 1825 on the 18th day of the second lunar month, a fisherman named 与右衛門 Yoemon from 葛飾郡柳島 Yanagishima (Katsushika district) went to his usual place for fishing. There he found a strange baby with four holes in the ears, four arms and two legs.

- - - - -

. 立石稲荷神社石祠 Tateishi Inari Jinja Stone Sanctuary .

..............................................................................................................................................

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - - - H A I K U and S E N R Y U - - - - -

. かつしかや月さす家は下水端 .
katsushika ya tsuki sasu ie wa gesui-bata

Kobayashi Issa
the Katsushika haiku school

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - To join me on facebook, click the image !

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Edo bakufu 江戸幕府 The Edo Government .

. Famous Places and Powerspots of Edo　江戸の名所 .

. Doing Business in Edo - 商売　- Introduction .

. shokunin 職人 craftsman, craftsmen, artisan, Handwerker .

. senryu, senryū 川柳　Senryu poems in Edo .

. Japanese Architecture - The Japanese Home .

. Interior Design - The Japanese Home .

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- - - - - #katsushika ##katsushika #shibamata - - - -
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ochiai district Shinjuku

The area where the river　神田川 Kandagawa and 妙正寺川 Myoshojigawa merged was called Ochiai. The area above the merger was Kami-Ochiai, the area downstream was Shimo-Ochiai.
The name Ochiai represents this "falling" ochi "together" ai of the two waterways into one river.

It used to be outside of the central area of Edo, but in 1818 it came under the administration of the Edo Bakufu government.
At that time a violet line was drawn on the map of Edo, and everything inside was
shubikinai 朱引内 within the "Vermillion Line"

At that time Ochiai was a rural district with farms and forests. It was blessed with clean water and many fireflies lived here.　
The third Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu used to come here for takagari 鷹狩 hunting with hawks.

落合地域では、御鷹野役所が設置されていた角筈村(現・新宿)まで、朝の五ツ半(午前9時ごろ)に受けとりに出かけることになる。下落合村の西隣り、上高田村の「堀江家文書」には、鷹狩りにかかった代金を角筈村へ受領しに出かけた、江戸後期の「請取証文」が保存されている。
- reference source : chinchiko.blog.so-net.ne.jp...-

.......................................................................

- quote
Ochiai is a district in Shinjuku located to the west of Takadanobaba Station. It’s also served by Ochiai Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.
Although the area is predominantly upscale residential, the area closer to Takadanobaba station has lots of reasonably priced restaurants and drinking establishments oriented towards the large local student population.
- source : tokyocheapo.com/locations...

..............................................................................................................................................

Ochiai hotaru 落合蛍 / 落合ほたる / 落合螢 fireflies at Ochiai

Painted by Hasegawa Settan 1834-1836

This scene shows the view when looking out from what is now Takadanobaba 3-chōme in the direction of Shimo-Ochiai.
In Edo times, the area was well-known for viewing fireflies, a fact also noted in contemporary guidebooks. Many people also visited the area to experience cool breezes on summer evenings.
- source : Tokyo Metropolitan Library -

広重 Hiroshige
「江戸自慢三十六興落合ほたる」、

落合螢 - 黒沢明世 Kurosawa Akiyo

..............................................................................................................................................

Ochiai Water Reclamation Center 落合下水道局 Gesuido Kyoku

- quote -
Located very close to the subcenter of the Shinjuku area, Ochiai Water Reclamation Center is environment-friendly and thoroughly controlled as a water reclamation center surrounded by residential districts. The treatment area is in the Ochiai Treatment District (3,506 ha). It comprises Nakano-ku, and parts of Shinjuku, Setagaya, Shibuya, Suginami, Toshima and Nerima Ward.
The treated water
is discharged to Kanda River, with some part used effectively for toilet water in buildings of Nishi-shinjuku and Nakano-sakaue districts and for restoration of streams in three rivers which nearly dried up in the southern downtown area of Tokyo.
The generated sludge
is pumped through pressure pipelines to Tobu sludge plant for treatment.
- - - - - Sewerage Components
The sewerage system is principally made up of 3 facilities.
Sewers, which collect and carry sewage.
Pumping stations, where sewage is pumped up so that the sewers do not get too deep.
Water reclamation centers, where sewage is treated to be clean water.
Inspections, cleaning, and repairs are done daily in order to make sure each of these facilities works properly.
- Restoration of streams in three rivers in the southern downtown area of Tokyo
The reclaimed water after advanced waste water treatment in Ochiai Water Reclamation Center is fed into the three streams - Shibuya & Furu River, Meguro River and Nomi River, where water was stagnated and stream environment deteriorated in the past. This has contributed to the increase of water volume and recuperation of affluent water environment in the streams.
- - - Ochiai Summer Festa
We aim to be a water reclamation center loved by the local community. We hold this festival each year during summer vacation.
- - - Ochiai Chuo Park
Ochiai Chuo Park is the first park in Japan which was built using the upper part of a water treatment plant in 1964. This park is equipped with baseball park, tennis courts, etc. A large number of people visit and enjoy the parks.
- - - Seseragi no Sato Public Garden
Seseragi no Sato Public Garden has a chilidren's square with playground equipment, and the treated sewage through membrane filtration process flows in the waterway and the pond, providing the Garden with a comfortable waterside environment.

- - - - - Tokyo Sewerage Museum "Rainbow"

There is a facility to enjoy the experience of learning about the sewerage system, its roles, and the importance of water environment.
- source and details : gesui.metro.tokyo.jp/english... -

..............................................................................................................................................

Ochiai-eki 落合駅 Ochiai Station
is a subway station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line in Shinjuku.
The station opened on 16 March 1966.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Saishooji 最勝寺 Temple Saisho-Ji .
新宿区上落合3-4-12 / 3 Chome-4-12 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

Ochiai no Kappa 落合の河童 The Kappa from Ochiai
In 1571, there was a great famine in Edo. From spring to July it was only raining and everything was overflown.
In 落合村の下落合 the village of Ochiai in Shimo-Ochiai there was a mountain priest named 佐貫坊 / 讃岐坊 Sanuki Bo, who had caught a Kappa. This Kappa had fallen in love with a 人魚 "human fish".
Sanuki Bo promised the Kappa that his love would be fulfilled, if he would stop the rain and flooding.
Thus he saved the area.

Kappa bottom right, human fish top right !

- KAPPA - 河童 / かっぱ /　カッパ - ABC-Index -

..............................................................................................................................................

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

6/25/2018

Kakinokizaka Meguro

. kaki no ki 柿の木 persimmon tree .

Coming from Shinagawa ward, this slope goes down to the 権之助坂 Gonnosukezaka toward the river 目黒川 Megurogawa and then connects to the 金毘羅坂 Konpirazaka.
Its end point is near the station Toritsu Daigaku Eki 都立大学駅.

- photo : wikipedia -

- quote
地名としての柿の木坂は、坂の北西一帯の地域である。全体は、北西 - 南東方向にやや細長い三角形をしており、北西から南東に呑川柿の木坂支流が縦貫している。南東辺を目黒通り、北東辺を環七通り、西辺を柿の木坂通り（区道）が通っており、柿の木坂二丁目と柿の木坂三丁目の間を東西に駒沢通りが通っている。
- source : wikipedia

The name of this district was created in 1932, when Meguro ward was created.
From the South-eastern part it has three sub-districts, 柿の木坂一丁目、柿の木坂二丁目、柿の木坂三丁目.

In former times, this part was called
Fusuma mura 衾村 Fusuma village
and belonged to the estate of the 吉良氏　Kira clan in Setagaya. Along the river 呑川 Nomigawa there was farm land.
When Tokugawa Ieyasu came to Edo, this district was given to the temple Zōjō-ji　増上寺 Zojo-Ji
Since that time there was a slope called Kakinokizaka. At the beginning of the slope there was a huge persimmon tree, hence the name.

Another story about the name
tells of farmers, who had to pull up their carts on this steep slope. The children living nearby helped them and got a little pocket money for their effort. They also often managed to pick out (nuki) some persimmons (kaki) from the luggage - hence the name
kaki nuki saka　柿抜き坂 slope of stealing persimmons.

Concert Hall

..............................................................................................................................................

Kakinokizaka no Ie 柿の木坂の家 The House at Kakinokizaka

famous song by 青木光一 Aoki Koichi
- reference -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

.................................................................................　Nagano 長野県
南木曽町 Minami-Kiso town

tanuki たぬき badger
This Tanuki lived just below the Kakinokizaka slope and often came out to trick people.
If someone passes the slope in the evening, there might be the sound of cutting a tree and then a tree fallilng down - but next morning nothing has changed.
Sometimes there is the feeling of a wind licking the face of a farmer - and looking down there might be a Tanuki.

..............................................................................................................................................

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - - - H A I K U and S E N R Y U - - - - -

柿の木坂雑唱 Kakinokizaka zassho poetry collection
by 安住敦 Azumi Atsushi (1907 - 1988)

and the follow-up
柿の木坂雑唱以後

父の日といふ日がありて子が訪ひ来
Chichi no hi to iu hi ga arite ko ga asobi ki

a day named
Father's day -
children come visiting
Tr. Gabi Greve

死はある日忽然と来よ傘雨の忌

梅雨の家子連狼来て荒す

こどもの日の家族旅行に加はらず

ががんぼにいつもぶつかる壁ありけり

章魚食つて路通はその忌知れずなり

- more haiku by Azumi Atsushi -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - To join me on facebook, click the image !

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Edo bakufu 江戸幕府 The Edo Government .

. Famous Places and Powerspots of Edo　江戸の名所 .

. Doing Business in Edo - 商売　- Introduction .

. shokunin 職人 craftsman, craftsmen, artisan, Handwerker .

. senryu, senryū 川柳　Senryu poems in Edo .

. Japanese Architecture - The Japanese Home .

. Interior Design - The Japanese Home .

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- - - - - #kakinokizaka #kakinokislope #megurokakinoki #persimmonhall - - - -
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

6/24/2018

Nishitokyo Tanashi district

- quote
... a city located in the western portion of Tokyo Metropolis,
- - Neighborhoods
- - - - - former city of 保谷市 Hoya
Fuji-machi, Hibarigaoka, Higashi-cho, Higashi-fushimi, Hoya-cho, Izumi-cho, Kita-machi, Naka-machi, Sakae-cho, Shimo-hoya, Shin-machi, Sumiyoshi-cho, Yagisawa
- - - - - former city of 田無市 Tanashi
Kitahara-cho, Midori-cho, Minami-cho, Mukodai-cho, Nishihara-cho, Shibakubo-cho, Tanashi-cho, Yato-cho
The area of present-day Nishitōkyō
was part of ancient Musashi Province. In the post-Meiji Restoration catastral reform of July 22, 1878, the area became part of Kita-Adachi District in Saitama Prefecture. The villages of Hoya and Tanashi were created on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of municipalities law. The southern portion of Kitaadachi District was transferred to the administrative control of Tokyo Metropolis on April 1, 1907.
The modern city of Nishitōkyō was established on January 21, 2001.
Before that date, the area was two separate cities Hoya and Tanashi.
- source : wikipedia

- quote

Nishitokyo City Multicultural Center
Nishitokyo City Living Guidebook
Nishitokyo News Letter
Japanese Classes by Volunteers in Nishitokyo
- - Introduction to Nishitokyo City and other information are shown.
- source : city.nishitokyo

. Musashi no Kuni 武蔵国 Musashi Province .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Tanashi choo 田無町 Tanashi district
西東京市　田無町一丁目から田無町七丁目 Nishitokyo Tanachi from the first to the seventh sub-district
青梅街道と所沢街道の北東が田無町一丁目、その他は青梅街道を挟んで南側が東から田無町二丁目、田無町四丁目、田無町六丁目と並び、北側が東から田無町三丁目、田無町五丁目、田無町七丁目と並ぶ。

- quote -
Tanashi (田無市 Tanashi-shi)
was a city located in the western portion of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan.
Tanashi means the land without rice fields.
Because of the area's elevation relative to the Tamagawa River, traditional irrigation and rice farming was impossible. Hence, the area was named Tanashi.
At the time of its merger, the city had an estimated population of 78,165 and a density of 11,495 persons per km². The total area was 6.8 km².
The area of modern Tanashi
prospered during the Edo period as a post station on the Ome Kaido and Tokorozawa Kaido, and was part of ancient Musashi Province. After the Meiji Restoration it came under the jurisdiction of the short-lived prefectures of Shinagawa (1868) and Irima (1871), before becoming part of Kanagawa in 1872. During the early Meiji period (1878) catastral reform, it became the town of Tanashi within Kitatama District in Kanagawa.
The entire district was transferred to the administrative control of Tokyo Metropolis in 1893. Tanashi was connected to central Tokyo by train from 1927. Tanashi was elevated to city status in 1967.
On January 21, 2001,
Tanashi was merged with the neighboring city of Hoya to create the city of Nishi-Tōkyō, and thus Tanashi thus no longer exists as an independent municipality.
- source : wikipedia -

The area was without much water until the canals 田無用水 Tanashi Yosui and 野火止用水 Nobidome Yosui were built around 1688.

The postal station Tanashi juku 田無宿 was located along the Ome Kaido
about 24 km from Edo and 32 km from Ome and was very busy with travelers.
. Ome Kaido 青梅街道 Ome Kaido Highway .

. Ome Kaido 青梅街道 highway from Shinjuku to Kofu. .

..............................................................................................................................................

Tanashi Jinja 田無神社 Tanashi Shrine
Tokyo, Nishitokyo, 田無町3−7−4

The Shrine was founded around the 13th century and moved to its present location in 1670.
This shrine is known for beautiful wood carvings by Shimamura Shunpyo, dating back to 1875.
It is dedicated to the Dragon, Deity of Water.

goshiki ryuujin 五色龍神 Dragon Gods of five colors

source : yorokobii.exblog.jp

金龍神 Golden - 白龍神 - White - 黒龍神 Black - 赤龍神 Red - 青龍神 Green

Deity in residence :
Ookuninushi no Mikoto 大国主命

- HP of the Shrine
- tanashijinja.or.jp... -

- quote -
Go along the approach of Tanashi Shrine!
It is Dousoshin-God (right back), and the stone guardian’s face is pleasant.
You can fish a Omikuji (lottery/red snapper) with a fishing rod.

The hall of worshipers of Tanashi Shrine was said to have been made by local carpenters in 1875.
- source and many photos : i-love-japan.info... -

In the compound is
. 田無不動 Tanashi Fudo - 総持寺 Sojp-Ji .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

.................................................................................　西東京市 Nishitokyo

Tengu no koshikakegi 天狗の腰掛樹 tree where the Tengu sits
At a certain home there was a big sugi 杉 cedar tree on the corner. They had it cut town by a wood cutter, but soon after the family members became very ill.
A priest told them that this was a tree sacred to the Tengu and now they had to suffer his curse.

. Tengu, sugi 天狗と杉と伝説 Legends about Tengu and Cedar trees .

.......................................................................
下保谷　Shimo-Hoya

. magarimatsu 曲がり松 the bent pine tree on a mound .

..............................................................................................................................................

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - - - H A I K U and S E N R Y U - - - - -

田無団地初鴬に明けにけり
Tanashi danchi hatsu uguisu ni ake ni keri

Tanashi apartments -
this day begins with the song
of the first nightingale
Tr. Gabi Greve

岡田日郎 Okada Nichio (1932 - )

. WKD : ugusiu うぐいす、鶯 nightingale .
- - hatsu uguisu, kigo for spring - -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

6/23/2018

Omori district Ota

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Famous Places and Powerspots of Edo　江戸の名所 .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Oomori, Ōmori 大森 Omori district "Great Forest"
Oota 大田区大森東. 大森西, 大森北, 大森本町, 大森中 Sub-districts in the East, West, North, Main Omori and Central Omori.

It used to be written 大杜 and later renamed Omori mura 大森村 Omori Village in the Edo period.
Omori mura was a very large rural area, the parts on the beach were fishing villages.
In the Edo period it was located along the Tokaido Highway, between
1. Shinagawa-juku 品川宿 (Shinagawa) and .2. Kawasaki-juku 川崎宿 (Kawasaki).
It was often called
Ai no Shuku 間の宿 Station inbetween.
The farmers used rice straw to make small figures of animals and sell them to the travelers.
There were also three merchants selling Wachuusan 和中散 Wachusan, a powder medicine loved by tired travelers. Tokugawa Ieyasu used to take this medicine for stomach troubles.
- quote
Ōmori Wachūsan 大森和中散 Omori Wachusan

In Ōmori during the Edo period, there were three stores side by side
along the Tōkai Highway that sold "Wachūsan,"
which was a powdered medicine considered to be effective against dizziness and colds.
The head family of Wachūsan was in 近江国 Ōmi Province,
but the Wachūsan in Ōmori was "known to the world as Ōmori Wachūsan and extremely famous."
. source : Tokyo Metropolitan Library .

. The 53 Stations of the Tokaido Highway .

When Ota Dokan visited here, he wrote the following poem

大森の木の下かげの涼しさに知るも知らぬも立ちどまりけり

. 太田道灌 Ota Dokan (1432 - 1486) .
Founder of Edo Castle.

..............................................................................................................................................

- quote
Ōmori is a district located a few kilometers south of Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan accessed by rail via the Keihin Tohoku line, or by road via Dai Ichi Keihin. Ōmorikaigan, the eastern area of Ōmori, can be reached via the Keikyu line.
Ōmori is one of many areas in Tokyo's largest ward, Ōta-ku,
and was formerly home to the German International School before its relocation to Yokohama. High quality residential and retail developments that the German school attracted are present in the Ōmori-sannō area. Ōmori is home to the headquarters of the automotive company Isuzu, which has offices in the Belport complex a few hundred metres from Ōmori station.
Prior to its development as a convenient residential and business location, Ōmori was laced with a network of small rivers which were used by many locals for drying harvested nori (seaweed), a staple of the Japanese diet. Modern Ōmori is built on mostly reclaimed land, and is very much a traditional Shinto area; there are many shrines in the area, and during the August o-bon festival, mikoshi parades are very common.
Ōmori-sannō, to the west of Ōmori station,
is an upscale neighbourhood compared to the other side of the tracks, and Ōmori-sannō is known to be traditionally an area where Japanese poets, philosophers and writers have made their home.
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !

- quote
..... it’s part of the coastal area that was called 品川沖 Shinagawa-oki, an ambiguous term that in the Edo Period could refer to a coastline or the open sea or, well, just the sea.
..... the closest station to the ruins of Suzugamori Execution Ground is called 大森海岸駅 Ōmori Kaigan Eki, literally Ōmori Coast Station but that area is still in Shinagawa Ward.
..... What comes to mind are things like - execution grounds, fishing villages, and trees. Lots and lots of trees.
..... Edward Morse,
an American naturalist/zoologist who specialized in shellfish, came to Japan in 1877 and helped the first incarnation of Tōkyō Daigaku 東京大学 Tōkyō University establish a zoology department. Along the way, and perhaps by accident, he launched archaeology and anthropology in Japan when he discovered a 貝塚 kaizuka midden (a mound made of discarded shellfish) in Ōmori. This was Japan’s first archaeological dig and it was a major discovery in that it showed the Japanese that their origin wasn’t really recorded in books like the 日本書紀 Nihon Shoki. It showed that science could prove that Japan’s history actually went way farther back than anyone had ever imagined. The shells and pottery fragments dated from the Late Jōmon Period, about 2000-1000 BCE. The term Jōmon which all Japanese will recognize as a legitimate prehistoric era is actually a translation of Morse’s English description of the pottery samples he found. He noticed rope-like patterns and called them “cord marked” which was translated into Japanese as 縄文 “rope-design.”
..... this part of Edo Bay was renowned for its fish and nori 海苔 seaweed. This local specialty was generally referred to as Edo-mae nori 江戸前海苔 seaweed from Edo Bay, but each area had its unique brands. 品川海苔 Shinagawa Nori, 大森海苔 Ōmori Nori, and 芝町海苔 Shiba Machi Nori were some of the most sought after brands, the latter being the most prestigious. The development and modernization of Tōkyō Bay in the 50’s and 60’s more or less put an end to the fishing and nori cultivation that typified the area for centuries.
One unique aspect of Ōmori
as opposed to other areas that were developed in the late Edo Period and “modern eras,” is that the actually coastline is still preserved to a certain extent. The ruins of Suzugamori Execution Ground are located next to Ōmori Kaigan Eki 大森海岸駅 Ōmori Coast Station. A short walk from the station will bring you to small inlet which is basically where the shoreline began in the Edo Period.
- source : japanthis.com/2014...

. Suzugamori keijoo 鈴ヶ森刑場 Suzugamori execution ground .

..............................................................................................................................................

source : oomori-aoiro.org/mall...

- quote -
Omori is peppered with historical significance and is located just south of central Tokyo. During World War 2, the Tokyo Base Camp and a prisoner of war camp was located here on an artificial island, now called Peace Island. Centuries before, this area was known for its shrines and for its villagers drying nori seaweed.
Shinagawa Historical Museum
is located just a 15 minute walk from Art Hotels Omori and has a lot of various artefacts dating back to the Edo period (1603 - 1868). An English leaflet is available which has most of the information about the exhibits There are also various models and videos around the museum and although they are not in English, you can understand it through the various sculptures, videos and photographs.
Kashima Shrine
has a thousand years of history and was considered one of the three great shrines in suburban Edo, the old name for Tokyo. Considering the shrine is only a 10 minute walk from Art Hotels Omori it is work checking out, and the area has various shrines, museums and shops. The main building has several seats which are used for ceremonies. Here they have various services such as a good luck amulet prayer, blessings for baby and a memorial service for aborted fetuses. This peaceful shrine is located just a few minutes from the Shinagawa Museum.
Naritasan Ennoji Temple
was established in 1571 and hosts multiple shrines and a graveyard. It’s a quiet place to relax, but watch out for the mosquitoes in summer. The big Buddha statue is situated just in front of the temple entrance and if you look through the window you can see various beautiful decorations inside the temple. This was one of my favourite temples with a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
Other local attractions here include
Shinagawa Kumin Park, Shinagawa Aquarium and Ohi Racecourse, which is also famous for its weekend flea markets.
- source : tokyo/exploring-omori... -

..............................................................................................................................................

大森和中散 Omori Wachusan
Edo Meisho Zue

- quote -
Omori mugiwara zaiku 大森麦藁細工 straw work from Omori

Ōmori's famed straw work started being made around the middle of the Edo period.
It was famous with travelers as a souvenir from the Tokaidō Highway.
- source : Tokyo Metropolitan Library -
. mugiwarazaiku, mugiwara zaiku 麦わら細工 handicraft from wheat straw .

.......................................................................

Plum Garden, Kamata (Kamata no Umezono)
Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando)
The entire Kamata area south of Ōmori was known for the cultivation of plum trees and was celebrated more for its early summertime fruits than its springtime blossoms.
The gentle beauty of this print tends to distract the viewer from the structure intruding from the right. It is a cushioned palanquin known as a yamakago ("mountain palanquin"), once widely used for travel in Japan. The overgarment left casually on top suggests that a traveler has recently stopped off for a brief rest from the nearby Tokaido highway that linked Edo to Kyoto.
- View of the extensive Plum Garden in the Kamata area. The estate which was open to the public complete with teahouses and a restaurant dated from the early Bunsei Period (1818-1830) and came to be known as
the "Plum Mansion" (Umeyashiki), with its several hundred trees extending into the distance. The owner of the mansion was a medicine dealer from Omori, whose chief product was a cold remedy called Wachusan.
The structure on the right is an indigo cushioned palanquin of the simple A-frame type known as a "yamakago" ("mountain palanquin") and was used widely for travel in Japan, suggesting that a traveler had stopped off from nearby Tokaido for a rest, leaving an over garment on top.
- source : brooklyn museum -

. Kamata 蒲田 "bulrush district" - Ota ward .
also called ume-no-ki mura 梅の木村 Umenoki mura "Village of the Plum Trees".

..............................................................................................................................................

- CLICK for more photos !

Ōmori Kaizuka 大森貝塚 Omori Shell Mound and Park
Excavation of Omori Shell Mounds
Omori Shell Mound was excavation by Dr. Morse from September to December in 1877 (10th year of the Meiji Era). Shell Mounds of Omori, Japan’s first excavation report was published in 1879 (12th year of the Meiji Era). The reason why the Omori Shell Mounds are called as the birthplace of Japanese is because Dr. Morse’s excavation was Japan’s first academic excavation. Later, Shinagawa City carried out excavations on two separate occasions in 1984 and 1993. The two excavations found large amounts of traces of dwelling sites, earthenwares, accessories, bones of fish and animals, and so on. Shinagawa Historical Museum displays some materials which were found from the excavations.
The park is the place of learning about the Jomon Era and Omori Shell Mounds. There are interactive exhibits as well as the Omori shell Mounds Monument which was built in 1929 (4th year of the Showa Era), and a bronze statue of Dr. Morse. The park also has a sol sample of the shell layer on display like the one at Shinagawa Historical Museum.
- source : city.shinagawa.tokyo.jp... -

..............................................................................................................................................

. nori 海苔 laver, sea lettuce - Introduction .

大森の海苔　Omori no nori
歌川国芳 Utagawa Kuniyoshi

海苔のふるさと会 Ōmori Nori Museum
2-2 Heiwanomorikoen, Ōta, Tokyo

- CLICK for more photos !
- reference source : norinoyakata.web... -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

.................................................................................　Omori 大森区

牛に生まれ変わった僧侶　a priest reborn as a bull
Since all priest does is eat and sleep, it was thought that after his death he would be reborn a bull.
Once the priest of a certain ○○寺 temple died and his parishioners wrote the name of the temple when they buried him.
A few years later when a farmer with his bull passed here, he heard a voice call out:
"Hey you there, this is the ○○寺 temple!"
This bull (the re-born priest) had some strangely colored hair that could be interpreted as looking like ○○寺.

..............................................................................................................................................

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - To join me on facebook, click the image !

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Edo bakufu 江戸幕府 The Edo Government .

. Famous Places and Powerspots of Edo　江戸の名所 .

. Doing Business in Edo - 商売　- Introduction .

. shokunin 職人 craftsman, craftsmen, artisan, Handwerker .

. senryu, senryū 川柳　Senryu poems in Edo .

. Japanese Architecture - The Japanese Home .

. Interior Design - The Japanese Home .

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- - - - - #omori #umeyashiki #kamata - - - -
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

6/22/2018

Setagaya ward

- quote -
a special ward in Tokyo, Japan. It is also the name of a neighborhood and administrative district within the ward. The ward calls itself Setagaya City in English.
Its official bird is the azure-winged magpie, its flower the fringed orchid, and its tree the Zelkova serrata.
Setagaya
has the largest population and second largest area (after Ōta) of Tokyo's special wards.
Setagaya
is located at the southwestern corner of the Tokyo's special wards and Tama River separates the boundary between Tokyo Metropolis and Kanagawa Prefecture.
- History
The special ward of Setagaya was founded on March 15, 1947.
During the Edo period,
42 villages occupied the area. With the abolition of the han system in 1871, the central and eastern portions became part of Tokyo Prefecture while the rest became part of Kanagawa Prefecture; in 1893, some areas were transferred to Tokyo Prefecture. With the establishment of Setagaya Ward (an ordinary ward) in the old Tokyo City in 1932, and further consolidation in 1936, Setagaya took its present boundaries.
During the 1964 Summer Olympics, the district of Karasuyama-machi in Setagaya was part of the athletics marathon and 50 km walk event.
- Districts - with five 地域　main districts
--- Setagaya 世田谷地域
. Sangenjaya 三軒茶屋 Sangen-jaya, "three tea stalls" .
Setagaya
. Kitazawa 北沢地域 / Shimokitazawa　下北沢 .
---- . Okusawa 奥沢地区 Okusawa district .
Meidaimae (Meidai-mae) 明大前
--- Matsubara　松原 / Higashi-Matsubara
--- Tamagawa 玉川地域
. . . . . . Futako-Tamagawa: Major commercial and residential district located by the Tama River.
Yōga　用賀
Kamata　鎌田
. Seijoo 成城 Seijo district .
Todoroki
--- Kinuta 砧地域
. Taishidoo 太子堂 Taishido district and Kinuta 砧 .
Soshigaya　祖師谷 - 上祖師谷
- - - Karasuyama 烏山地域北烏山 Kita-Karasuyama - 南烏山
粕谷 Kasuya - 上北沢 / 給田 - 八幡山 Hachimanyama
.- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !

. Tamagawa Denenchofu 玉川田園調布 and Denenchofu, Ota .
一丁目 - 二丁目 first and second sub-district /

..............................................................................................................................................

- quote -
English Booklet for Foreign Tourists is Available.

We have a lot of historic spots including Gotokuji Temple and Shoinjinja Shrine, and beautiful landscape in Setagaya-ku.
Why not go around Setagaya-ku with this booklet?
- reference source : city.setagaya.lg.jp/foreign... -

- quote
"Valley of the Eternal Rice Paddy"
This place name is ancient.
瀬戸 seto usually means a strait, as in the Strait of Gibraltar, but in Old Japanese, it could also be applied to 谷地 yachi a narrow marsh in a valley.
In the old dialect of the area, it’s said that word seto was pronounced seta and written 瀬田 seta. Old Japanese had two possessive particles. Modern Japanese uses の no, but Old Japanese also used が ga. It survives in place names all over the country, the most famous being 関ヶ原 Sekigahara, which literally means “the checkpoint gatehouse’s prairie/field.” Thus 瀬田ヶ谷 seta ga ya meant something like 瀬田の谷地 seta no yachi “the narrow marsh in the valley’s narrow marsh in the valley,”...
Eventually,
the first kanji was swapped out with 世 se “generation, world” because it’s an auspicious character. 世田 sounds like rice paddies that are bountiful forever, hence my translation of “Valley of the Eternal Rice Paddy.”
Also, 世 is a standard ateji character. It was so common in phonetic renderings that the shorthand form of 世 became katakana セ se.
The first attestation of the name is in 1376 as 世田谷郷 Setagaya-gō Setagaya Hamlet.
By the Edo Period, the town was listed as Setagaya Mura 世田谷村 Setagaya Village and this name lasted until the Meiji Era. In the Edo Period it was not part of the city of Edo, but of 荏原郡 Ebara-gun Ebara District of 武蔵国 Musashi no kuni Musashi Province[.
In 1871, when the haihan-chiken 廃藩置県 the abolition of domain and establishment of prefectures was enacted, the eastern section of what is now Setagaya Ward was absorbed into Tōkyō-shi 東京市 Tōkyō City within Tōkyō-fu 東京府 Tōkyō Prefecture. In 1936, the boundaries of present day Setagaya Ward were pretty much fixed. It became a special ward of the newly created Tōkyō Metropolis in 1946.
- source : japanthis.com/2013...

.......................................................................

Setagayamura 世田谷村 Setagaya Village
世田谷区世田谷豪徳寺 Setagaya Gotoku-Ji

Also written with the characters 瀬田, 勢田 or 勢多.
In 1633, there were 16 villages in the Setagaya district, including Tsurumaki 弦巻村

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Kasuya mura 粕谷村 / 糟谷村 Kasuya village .

. Karasuyama teramachi 烏山寺町 Karasuyama Temple Town district .
the Little Kyoto of Setagaya ward 世田谷の小京都.

. Sangenjaya 三軒茶屋 Sangen-jaya, "three tea stalls" district .

.......................................................................

. Setagaya boroichi 世田谷ぼろ市 Setagaya Antiques Flea Market .
This market dates back to 1574, when this was a market town connecting Edo with Odawara.

. Gootokuji 豪徳寺 Gotoku-Ji .
famous for its manekineko 招き猫 beckoning cat

- quote -
Setagaya Gōtoku-ji Temple

Gōtoku-ji Temple was founded in 1480 (the twelfth year of Bunmei).
It became a major temple which includes a large temple edifice after the lord of the Ōmi Hikone domain Ii Naotaka designated it as the Ii family temple in 1633 (the tenth year of Kan'ei).
Ii Naosuke, who was slain in Sakuradamongai-no-hen (Sakuradamon Incident) in 1860 (the first year of Man'en ), is buried at this temple.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Museum -

.......................................................................

. Setagaya Hachimangū 世田谷　八幡宮 Setagaya Hachimangu .

.......................................................................

This ema 絵馬 votive tablet is sold well especially during the New Year holidays:

. Shrine Okusawa Jinja 奥澤神社ー　Setagaya .
Okusawa shrine is famed for that 150kg, nine-metre-long daija, or shrine snake, draped over the torii gate at the entrance, which is often mistakenly referred to as a dragon.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

.................................................................................　Setagaya 世田谷区

.......................................................................
アシゲヅカ蘆毛塚 Ashigezuka mound
Under the mound the bones of a horse are buried. In this area people who posess a horse with four white legs will have misfortune.
The mound was lost during new construction work.

.......................................................................
. dojoo 泥鰌 Dojo, loach .
There was a well called 姥ヶ谷井戸 "well of the old hag".
Once a farmer used the water for his fields and caught a lot of loaches. But when he ate them, he turned all wild and furious.

.......................................................................
hitokui matsu 人喰松 "man-eating pine"
At the 渋谷道玄坂 Dogenzaka slope in Shibuya there is a pine tree with this name.
During the restructuring of modern Tokyo, this tree had to be moved. Two sisters living in Setagaya were very pious, chanting the 法華経 Hokekyo Sutra and got a message from the Deity.
In former times something bad had been buried under the roots of this tree and cursed the people. When they eventually dug below the roots, they found the bones of a hebi 蛇 serpent. During the recital of the Sutra, the serpent turned all white and made its way up into the heaven.

.......................................................................
. kuchisake onna 口裂け女 slit-mouthed woman .
at Sangenjaya 三軒茶屋 Sangen-jaya, "three tea stalls"
She likes the number three, so she likes to come here.

..............................................................................................................................................

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::