Famous Places of Edo Flowers and the Tenth Group (Kumesaburo Iwai)
To the Oiran,
the maple-dyed kimono is ready.
Is it large enough?
A charming Kamuro (young attendant) handing a finished kimono to an Oiran. The red and green kimono are dyed with red and blue maple leaves, respectively.
In Yoshiwara, when one speaks of a maple-leaf Oiran, it is Takao. The poem written in the lower section of the Harimaze-e (collage print) is famous as the one recited by the second Tayu Takao, who was under the patronage of Shirozaemon Miuraya of the original Yoshiwara, to Date Tsunamune as he crossed the Sumida River to return home (though there are various theories).
You are now near Komagata,
oh cuckoo.
Circle with three fans
The cuckoo at Komagata-do,
You are now near Komagata,
the mountain cuckoo that sang as it passed by.
When I see the moonlight, I remember.
The house name "Takao-maru" can also be seen on the Choki-bune (small boat), conveying the extent of Takao's reputation.
If you like, please take a look at my past notes too. → [Biographies of Famous Women of the Past] Manji Takao
🍁
Komagata Kannon-do is
called Komagata because it is a horse-head (bato),
and this riverside is called Kanegafuchi.
It is said that the fisherman Hamanari dropped his grass-cutting sickle here,
Kyoyen and Chaen.
"Komagata Kannon-do" refers to the Komagata-do hall that stands south of Senso-ji Temple, beside Komagata Bridge, and its principal image is the Bato (Horse-headed) Kannon.
Until the Komagata Bridge was built as part of the Great Kanto Earthquake reconstruction plan, there was the Komagata Ferry (also known as the Takecho Ferry) where boats came and went. People would disembark here and visit the Komagata-do hall before proceeding to worship at Senso-ji Temple.
< The appearance of Komagata-do and the boat landing on the Miyato River (Sumida River) >
"Kanegafuchi" refers to the area where the Sumida River bends significantly from west to south, and the Arakawa and Ayase rivers flow just to the east. It is said that a bell (kane) is submerged here (some say it is the bell of Fumon-in Temple, others say it is the bell of Chosho-ji Temple in Hashiba), which is how it got its name.
📖
< Hinokuma no Hamanari >
Also, the phrase "It is said that the fisherman Hamanari dropped his grass-cutting sickle here" is a witty reference to the episode of the Asuka-period fisherman Hinokuma no Hamanari.
One day in the 36th year of Emperor Suiko (628 AD), while Hamanari was fishing in the Miyato River, a statue of the Holy Kannon was caught in his net. Surprised, Hamanari immediately pulled it up, gathered the local grass-cutters, built a temple out of goosefoot, and enshrined it with care.
This is the origin story of Senso-ji Temple. Senso-ji is called Asakusa Kannon because it enshrines the Holy Kannon Bodhisattva as its principal image.
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections 'Edo Meisho Zue Vol. 7 [16]'
One day, while Hamanari was fishing in the Miyato River, a statue of the Holy Kannon was caught in his net.
He gathered the local grass-cutters, built a temple of goosefoot,
and enshrined the Holy Kannon statue.
The goosefoot used to build the temple is often associated with wild greens, but its dried stems are light and hard, and it is said to have been synonymous with a walking stick for the elderly. 'Goosefoot cane' is also a seasonal word for summer.
🌿
Finally, let's look at the picture accompanying the Famous Places of Edo Flowers.
On the 'First Fuji' sign, there is a wooden box labeled 'Komagata Miyato River,' and the charcoal brazier with a small pot on it says 'Kawamasu'.
You can see the same name in the 'Komagata' entry of the 'Edo Meisho Hyakunin Bijo' (One Hundred Beauties of Famous Places in Edo) series.
The name 'Kawamasu' can be seen on the sake cup (hakama) under the sake bottle, and 'Hatsu Fuji' on the lid of the small pot. Both 'Kawamasu' and 'Hatsu Fuji' must have been popular loach hot pot (Yanagawa hot pot) restaurants.
You are now near Komagata, cuckoo.
🍲
References: National Diet Library Digital Collections 'Edo Meisho Zue Vol. 7 [16]','Tokyo Meisho Annai Vol. 2','Tokyo Hyakuji-ben ('Chosho-ji Temple') ('Komagata-do Hall'),'Nihon Meisho Zue','Toyo Daitokai','Shakai Hyakuhomen ('Senju Ohashi Bridge'),'Tokyo Meisho Zue ('Kanegafuchi'),'Tokyo Meisho Zue Vol. 2'
Senso-ji Temple Website 'Komagata-do Hall' Google Maps 'Kanegafuchi-dori Street'
Author's Note: I will update this as needed when new characters are deciphered or when I notice typos or misreadings. For details, please read 'Self-Introduction/Disclaimer'.📖