Famous Products of Tokyo: One Hundred Poets (21) Yotsume Peonies in Honjo / Sake Wholesalers in Shinkawa / Benmatsu Bento Boxes / River Steamers of the Senju Azuma Steamship Company
Taikenmon-in no Horikawa
Wondering if they know the peak of their long-lasting beauty,
The magnificent blooming of the peony flowers, I think of the Yotsume.
【Original Poem】
Not knowing if your heart will last long,
Like my tangled black hair, this morning I am lost in thought.
* "Yotsume" refers to the Yotsume Peony Garden (near Yotsume Bridge in Honjo).
The illustration depicts magnificent white peonies.
The owner of the Yotsume Peony Garden was Bunzo Naruse, who founded the gardening shop "Uebun" in the second year of Kaei (1849). It is introduced as follows in "Famous Sites of Japan," published in the 33rd year of Meiji (1900).
Yotsume Peonies (Tokyo)
Located in Tokuemon-cho, near the Fourth Bridge in Honjo Ward. The owner is named Bunzo Naruse, and he has long been renowned for the cultivation of these flowers. Although there are many who cultivate peonies in the capital, none can surpass this garden.
It is said that the seventh-generation descendant still runs a landscaping business in Kudan today, showcasing magnificent peonies every April. (Fuji Ueki Co., Ltd. Website "Company Overview" and "Peony Garden [2024]")
References: "Great Metropolis of the East (Uebun)", "Biographical Dictionary of Great Japan (Mr. Bunzo of the Peony Garden)", "Tokyo Corporate Directory 2nd Edition (Gomei Kaisha Boen Bunzo-ten)", "Talking about Tokyo's Plants: Local Studies", and "[Edo Illustrated Map] Fukagawa Map (Yotsume Bridge / Tokuemon-cho)" (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
Sutoku-in no Sadaijin
When I gaze at the direction where the sake warehousesare lined up,
The reflectionsof Shinkawaare abundant.
【Original Poem】
When I gaze at the direction where the cuckoo
Has sung, only the morning moon remains.
* "Shinkawa" corresponds to the present-day Shinkawa in Chuo Ward. Also known as Reiganjima, it was a town of sake wholesalers during the Edo period.
Source: National Diet Library Digital Collections, "Illustrated Guide to Famous Sites of Edo, Vol. 7 [2]"
The illustration depicts five trademarks.
Ozeki, Famous Sake (Shimenawa rope)
Nihonsakari, Brewed, Famous Sake (Snow ring)
Masamune, Famous Reputation Spreads to the Four Seas, Main House, ● Merit Award (Cherry blossom)
To ●, Kishida, ● Merit Award (Pine)
Ebisu, Treasure Market, Honkano, Famous Sake (Sea bream)
All of these are famous sakes from the "Nada-gogo" (Five Villages of Nada). "To ●" is not entirely clear, but I believe it refers to "Toyu" from Naruo (currently Nishinomiya).
Note: "Nada-gogo" refers to the five villages of Imazu-go, Nishinomiya-go, Uozaki-go, Mikage-go, and Nishi-go. Ozeki (Imazu), Nihonsakari (Nishinomiya), Masamune (Uozaki), and Ebisu (Mikage).
Note: "Meisei Shisai" (Famous reputation spreads to the four seas) is thought to be a play on the phrase "The soundless voice spreads to the four seas." (A voiced voice does not travel beyond a hundred miles, but a soundless voice spreads to the four seas - Huainanzi, "Miao Cheng Xun")
Reference: "Sake and Soy Sauce Trademark Iroha Index (Ozeki) ( Nihonsakari) ( Sakuramasamune) ( Ebisutai) ( Toun and others)", "Japanese Social Encyclopedia Vol. 2, 2nd Edition ( Famous Sake of Nada-gogo)", "History of Nada Sake", "Great Collection of Famous Sake and Soy Sauce Brewers in Japan ( Masamune)", "Edo Meisho Zue Vol. 7 [2] ( Reiganjima)", "Tokyo Local Geography: Companion for Excursions ( Reiganjima)", "Tokyo Prosperity Mirror ( Sake Wholesaler)", "[Edo Kiri-e-zu] Tsukiji Hatchobori Nihonbashi South Map ( Reiganjima-cho)" (National Diet Library Digital Collection)
Doin Hoshi
The savory taste of octopus simmered in cherry blossom style and rolled omelet
Packed in a box, it is nothing but tears
[Original Poem]
Though I am weary of thinking,
Life still remains, And it is tears that cannot endure the sorrow.
Note: "Sakurani" (cherry blossom simmer) is a dish where octopus cut into small pieces is simmered in soy sauce and mirin, or in seasoned miso.
The illustration depicts a bookmark for "Benmatsu," a bento shop at the Nihonbashi fish market, and behind it, "tobikuchi" (hooked poles), which were tools of the trade for those working at the fish market.
Fish Market, Anjin-cho, Bento
Made by Benmatsu
"Benmatsu" began as a restaurant called "Higuchiya," opened by Yoichi Higuchi (the first Matsujiro) at the Nihonbashi fish market in 1810 (Bunka 7).
It became popular for allowing busy fish market workers to take home leftover food wrapped in wood shavings or bamboo sheaths, and the second generation began selling bento boxes.
During the time of the third generation, Matsujiro, the restaurant was closed, and "Benmatsu" was founded, specializing in boxed meals. "Bento-ya no Matsujiro" (Matsujiro of the bento shop), abbreviated to "Benmatsu."
It is recorded as follows in "Tokyo Hyakuji-ben," published during the Meiji era.
Benmatsu
Located in Anjin-cho, Nihonbashi. This shop can easily accept and prepare orders for over 10,000 bento boxes. Also, there are simmered fish dishes and the like at the storefront. These are for the cooks from various places who come to the fish market to buy supplies, and their delicious taste is beyond what even banquet cuisine can achieve. If you wish to know this delicious taste, you should send a messenger early in the morning with a tiered food box to savor it.
Even today, as a long-established bento shop, it continues to pass on the taste of Edo. (Nihonbashi Benmatsu Sohonten Website, "History and Taste", "Company Overview")
Reference: "Genkai (Sakura-ni)", "Kani Ryori (Octopus Sakura-ni)", "Shinsen Ryori Hitori Annai (Octopus Sakura-ni)", "Kotsu oyobi Kogyo Taikan Nichiro-go (Benmatsu Ryoriya/Benmatsu Bento Shidaten)", "Kaisei Tokyo Meisho Annai (Benmatsu Ryori)" (National Diet Library Digital Collections)
Kotaigogu-no-Daibu Toshinari
The world is, a path indeed opens, river steamer
Even on the waves, a whistle blows
【Original Poem】
In this world, there is no path, deep in thought
Even deep in the mountains, a deer is heard crying
※ "Kawa-joki" refers to a shallow-draft steamship that navigates rivers. |River steamship|.
The illustration depicts a ticket from Azumabashi to Komatsushima.
From Azumabashi to Komatsushima
Fare 3 sen, Transit tax 1 sen
This ticket is valid for today only
Senju Azuma Steamship Co., Ltd.
From the Meiji to Taisho eras, river steamers operated between the foot of Azumabashi Bridge and Senju Ohashi Bridge. Azumabashi (West Bridge) - Kototoi (Mukojima) - Hashiba-cho Riverbank - Komatsushima (Mukojima) - Kanegafuchi - Senju Ohashi (North End).
In the late Meiji era, it is said that eight steamships were in operation.
Steamships of the Senju Azuma Steamship Company
With eight steamships, they travel back and forth from under Azumabashi Bridge to Senju Ohashi Bridge. The number of trips is indefinite but roughly the same as the Sumida River steamships. Ports of call are Kototoi, Hashiba, Komatsushima, Kanegafuchi, and Senju Ohashi, with a route of over two nautical miles. The fare between Azumabashi and Senju is five sen including transit tax, four sen five rin to Kanegafuchi, four sen to both Komatsushima and Hashiba, and three sen to Kototoi. Coupon tickets and passenger capacity are the same as the Sumida River steamships.
"Tokyo Hojin Yoroku 2nd Edition (Senju Azuma Steamship Co., Ltd.)", "Tokyo Annai Vol. 1 (Azumabashi-Senju Ohashi Route)", "Asakusa Hanjo-ki (Senju Azuma Steamship Company)", "Tokyo Binran (Small steamships under Eitaibashi Bridge)", "Nai-gai Kaisho Meikan (Senju Azuma Steamship Co., Ltd.)", "Taisho Exhibition and Tokyo Sightseeing", "Tokyo Industrial Exhibition Guide", "Exhibitions and Tokyo: Economic Sightseeing(Steamships of Tokyo)"
Author's Note: ● indicates characters that could not be deciphered.
I will update this as I decipher new characters or notice typos and misreadings. For details, please read the "Self-Introduction / Disclaimer" section. 📖