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[Video Article] The Past And Present of Shiba Through the Eyes of Shiba Hyakunenkai Men

Shiba Area is home to Shimbashi, Daimon, and up-and-coming Takeshiba in Minato, Tokyo. Did you know that there is a group called "Shiba Hyakunenkai" in the area, composed of 28 shops with more than a century of history? In this article, we interviewed the group's chairman Mr. Eichi Kaneko (Shibadaimon Sarashina Nunoya Owner), and member Mr. Fumihiko Nagatani (Shibaura Okame Sushi Owner) for memories and thoughts on the Shiba Area.

The two talk "The past and present of Shiba"

- Before we start, may I ask about your relationship with the Shiba Area?

Mr. Kaneko Eichi
"I was born on Showa 30 (1955) at the Jikeikai Daiichi Hospital right around the corner. Right now I am 66."

Mr. Nagatani Fumihiko
"I was born in the waters of Tamagawa Josui. Many say that my family name, Nagatani, and first name, Fumihiko, don't live up to my name. (laughing)"
- Could you tell me memories about Shiba/Daimon in the past?

Kaneko
"Past memories, well, the city has changed nowadays, but there is something like nostalgia, like 'This is what the city was like.'"

Nagatani
"Indeed it has changed a lot. In Shiba, the area where the Chairman (Kaneko) lives, is called Shiba Daimon, and where I live is called Hon-Shiba. It's a city where nobody knows where the front and back gates are."

The city view of Shiba Area from Roppongi Hils

Kaneko
"When we were children, there were many kids my age, and we often played together such as menko."

Nagatani
"Nowadays, there is the "Minato City Center for Traditional Culture." I want it to become the origin that shows new ways and passes on the values of historic architecture."

Kaneko
"I feel the same. Minato has traditions in various places, so it is a very fascinating area."
- What did you play with when you were young?

Kaneko
"I played baseball. Baseball using rubber balls at the approach of the "Shiba Daijingu", and…"

Nagatani
"The area was full of nature from long ago."

Kaneko
"Yes. Sometimes, people say that Tokyo doesn't have enough greenery, but I never thought so."

Nagatani
"Another childhood memory was Ennichi. It was called 'Ninohi' and markets popped up every month on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd."

A long queue to Shiba Daimon when the Tokyo Tower Opened?!

- Many new spots were built in the Shiba Area as you two grew up, right?

Nagatani
"Chairman, you remember when the 'World Trade Center Building' was built, correct?"

The City of Shiba Daimon, looking up the Tokyo Tower in front of Zojoji gate

Kaneko
"That's right. But I remember 'Tokyo Tower' the most. It was built when I was four years old. If I remember correctly, the line to go to the observation deck was so long that it came up here."

Nagatani
"What, here to Daimon?!"

Kaneko
"I guess they lined up nearly 700~800 meters in distance. I thought this is not easy to get to the top."

Nagatani
"I remember Odaiba. The shop owner at the shopping district often took me Goby fishing."
- What do you feel about the current city as a person who knew the Shiba Area from long ago?

Kaneko
"There are many differences seen from the outside, but the most significant difference is the proportion of people who live here and who come to work here. Nowadays, the people who come here to work or study support the city. There are also many headquarters and establishments of famous companies."

Founding Monument in front of Tokyo Gas headquarters

Nagatani
"Such as Nagatanien, the ochazuke nori maker."

Kaneko
"Yes, Nagatanien. Therefore, if we could make this area a place where the people who work for companies with headquarters in Minato are proud about it, we can push the city's presence forward."

Shiba Hyakunenkai, loving the city and passing the tradition to the next generation

- Can you tell us about Shiba Hyakunenkai's activities in detail?

Kaneko
"The association started in 2016 with stores in Shiba Area that have more than a century of history. It started with a conversation between owners of old stores, and many people from Shiba Area came together."

Shiba Hyakunenkai members (taken in 2016, the year it was found)

Nagatani
"Many do work related to foodstuffs such as sake, spirits, dairy products, and what we do (soba and sushi)."

Kaneko
"Maybe so. There are store owners of the four important items in Edo cuisine, tempura, sushi, unagi, and soba."
- Why are there many energetic traditional stores in Shiba Area?

Kaneko
"I think it's attachment to the family business. It's the passion to not let the business end with your generation, trying to pass on. What do you think, Mr. Nagatani?"

Nagatani
"I guess it's the local advantage and connection to history. When I talk to the Chairman, I see the images of the change of the Shiba Area."

Kaneko
"Also, I've been hearing many things from the previous generations. The two previous generations have not lived in the Edo Period, so what they were saying might be something close to a picture, but I think that passing down these things is important."

Nagatani
"Chairman, your restaurant has many customers from overseas, right?"

Kaneko
"Before the pandemic, at times, 25% ~ 30% of
customers were from abroad. What's surprising is that many foreign people know Japanese traditions, and some even come here to eat Toshikoshi Soba on New Year's Eve. One time, the second floor, which has around 45 seats, was full of foreign customers."

Nagatani
"Can they eat soba without difficulty?"

Kaneko
"Yes. They learned before coming here, just as how we Japanese people know that we shouldn't make noise when we eat spaghetti."

Kaneko
"Also, in addition, what's fascinating is that all the stores offer something genuine to the customers. For example, if you want some sushi, you can go to Mr. Nagasaka's place and you won't be disappointed."
- Do you have any special spots in the area that you want to tell people who come to visit Minato Ward?

Nagatani
"During the day, going up the Tokyo Tower and visiting Zojoji and Shiba Daijingu would be nice. After getting some soba or sushi, the night scenery is a must-see. You can talk about love with your partner at 'Takeshiba Pier,' and the view at Odaiba is beautiful as well."

The night view of Odaiba, romantic all year

Kaneko
"I may be an old person, but I recommend history. Landmarks such as 'Maruyama Kaizuka' from the Jomon Period, 'Shiba Daijingu' with more than a millennium of history, the family temple of the Tokugawa family 'Zojoji,' and 'Tokyo Tower.' Going around those places would be interesting."

A new book by Shiba Hyakunenkai!

- By the way, I heard that the activities of Shiba Hyakunenkai would be on a book in February 2022.

Kaneko
"The name of the book is 'Shibahyakunen Noren no Monogatari.' The main characteristic of the book is that the things we shop owners have seen and heard are written, and it is not a rough guidebook."

Shiba Hyakunen Noren no Monogatari

- Before we end, please tell us your passion for Shiba Area!

Nagatani
"I think that the people in Shiba have an Edokko-like style. Not just profit or loss, but we feel that as modern shopowners, we have to select and pass down history, thinking of why we have to protect or throw them away."

Kaneko
"It is comfortable to live and we have each other. I also think it's a safe area. Both new information and old fundamentals are steady. What I like about this city is the characteristic that there are many genuine things here. I would like many people to come to visit and feel the city."
"Shiba Hyakunenkai" Official Website
https://shiba-shinise.com

For details on the book "Shiba Hyakunen Noren no Monogatari," see Aoyama Life Publishing in the link below
https://aoyamalife.co.jp/index.html

Click here for information on Mr. Kaneko and Mr. Nagatani's restaurants
(DATA)
Godaime Okame Sushi
Address: 4-9-4 Shiba Tokyo, Shibahama Building 1F
Phone: 03-3451-6430
Takeout Open from 11 AM
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays

Click here for information on landmarks that appeared in the article

Shiba-daijingu Shrine

According to the shrine's history, it is one of several ancient shrines in the city used to house the divided spirits (bunrei) of the Ise Shrine during the middle of the Heian Period. It got its name of Shiba-daijingu starting from the Meiji Period, before which it was called by other names including Iikura-shinmeigu and Shiba-shinmeigu. The name of Shiba-shinmeigu is known for the famous "Megumi Fight" that took place in March 1805 inside the shrine, where Kanjin-sumo wrestlers such as Yotsuguruma Daihachi and Mizuhiki Seigorou fought with the Megumi-no-tobi, a group of firefighters who considered the area their territory. Even back then, the Minato ward lying in front of the shrine's gates was a lively business district. During the Edo Period, the shrine was a thriving venue for entertainment such as sumo matches and theatrical performances, which were allowed in the shrine grounds. The theater was a type of Edo-sannomiya theater, and is said to have been first held inside Shiba-shinmei in 1645. In September of every year, the "Daradara Festival", an event supposedly named due to its long duration (daradara means lengthy), is held, during which ginger is widely sold inside the shrine and its vicinity, giving the shrine its nickname as the "Ginger Market". As famous as the "Betterazuke market" of Kodenma-cho, the festival was such an enjoyable event for Edo commoners that it was even depicted in ukiyo-e art. During the festival, ginger, chigibako, and amazake are sold. Chigibakos are oval boxes made of cypress, said to bring additional clothing when put into a cabinet, a good luck charm of sorts, whose name comes from the idea of a thousand pieces of wood (chigi) leading to a thousand pieces of clothing (chigi). Beneath the stairway is a savings mound built to commemorate Makino Motojirou's achievements in establishing the Real-estate and Savings Bank (Fudo-chokin-ginkou).

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