Ginzaline

November 11, 2013

Another Green World

People say shitamachi has a shortfall of greenery. But you see a lot of greenery. Residents reclaim the footpath to plant stuff on the street. You could almost say it’s greener than other parts of town, because people consciously green their worlds. Look at all the potplants. Whole trees as well. Probably branching beyond regulations.…

November 6, 2013

White Dog

Heads turn when Eru strides through Asakusa to the temple at Sensoji. His master is a local older fellow in a bomber jacket and one of those big baseball-style caps that the military issue, holding another scragglier looking mutt under one arm. He reins in Eru on a long retractable leash, issuing orders as they…

November 1, 2013

Once in a Kuramae Moon (Event)

Come and play, around Kuramae this Nov 2, it’s that day of the lunar cycle again. Also the only day in November to visit “monthly shop” Salvia, for gentle, unique cloth items including socks and serviettes – the theme for this 1st Saturday is Gifts from the North Country. Elsewhere you’ll find vintage toy pianos at Newold Stock,…

October 16, 2013

Break in the Weather II

Staff at the Ajioka paper company over the Komagata Bridge responded with conscientious force to the unsightly aftermath of last night’s Typhoon Wipha. It left destruction and flooding and lurching trees. Here are the staff outside their premises getting their hands dirty, just after 9am. They work so well together, though you suspect caretaking is…

October 13, 2013

Kitchen Kerfuffle (Event)

It’s just as you felt this morning – encountering those nervous chaps from dial-a-security separating bikes and pedestrians – a head of steam has been building for some real kitchenry chaos today and tomorrow (Sun. and Mon.) at Kappabashi Matsuri. Come and add to the crush! See out the long weekend amid bargain cookware, provisions,…

October 13, 2013

Untamed Desires! II

Some viewers wanted more of the rare circa 1960s movie mementoes brought down to Asakusa last month by the sparkly child of the century-old Motomiya Movie Theatre in Fukushima, Yuko Tamura. She said, Sure, this’s what dad got up to at home, to promote his movies. He’d sit at the table with scissors and glue…

October 9, 2013

Treasure Quarters

Hiroshi Miura, bucket-maker of Kotobuki, is building a waterwheel. He works in his front room beside the street, cross-legged on a raised straw-mat platform. You knock gently on the thin glass door and slide it a few inches. He peers up into the afternoon light. The hinoki cypress of the wheel glows pinkish. The shavings…