下町風俗資料館（４）

井戸

This is a well.

People take water from a deep hole in the ground.

奇術箱

This is a trick box.

I will show you how it works. I put a coin in this box. I cover the box. When I uncover it, the coin has disappeared.

駄菓子屋

This is a Dagashiya. It is a cheap sweet shop.

This shop was in a tenement house. Children used to play together here.

人力車

This is a jinrikisha.

It is a man—pulled cart.　The driver exerts the energy to make it go.

It has a folding hood.

用心籠

This is a Yojin Kago. It is a basket used when a fire broke out.

Everyone put their valuables and loved objects in it and with that pole there, people shouldered and carried it out and hastily escaped from the burning place.

番傘

This is a Bangasa or a numbered umbrella. It is made of oiled paper pasted on a bamboo frame and so it is waterproof.

On rainy days, the master lent the umbrella to his customers as they entered the store. You will notice that the umbrella is numbered. It serves like a record as the master can easily see who has borrowed the umbrella and he can be sure to get it back.

鼻緒屋

This is a Hanao store. Hanao in English means the thongs of Geta or Japanese wooden footwear.

There were many Hanao and Geta makers in this region about 60 years ago. Nowadays they have changed their business to sandal makers or shoemakers because Geta are not as popular. Today, there are more people wearing sandals and shoes than Geta. The reason for this is that we don’t wear kimono as much so therefore we don’t wear Geta.

The purpose of these extended parts on Geta is to keep the kimono above the ground.

▲Go To Blog Top

NEXT PAGE