Tokyo Specialties Hyakunin Isshu (5) Tokiwazu-bushi / Kanda Vegetable Market / Japanese Painter Gaho Hashimoto / Shinko Craftsman Taro Kajikuwa
Tokiwazu-bushi
Chunagon Yukihira
Parting ways, the country guest |always| comes
The |evergreen| pine is now in full bloom
* This is likely a parody song based on the fact that the Tokiwazu-bushi master Rinchu Tokiwazu led the prosperity of Tokiwazu-bushi during the Meiji era. Also, "pine" is thought to refer to the Tokiwazu musical pieces "Matsushima" or "Matsu no Hagoromo".
[Original Poem]
Standing apart, at the peaks of Inaba Mountain
If I hear you are waiting, I will return now
* It is said that in the old days, when people lost their pet cats, they would write this poem on a piece of paper and pray for the cat to return.
Kanda Market
Ariwara no Narihira Ason
Swiftly, the |Kanda| |Market| has, since long ago
Sold many |vegetables| and fruits
[Original Poem]
Even in the age of the gods, I have not heard of the Tatsuta River
Binding the water in crimson red
* "Chihayaburu" is a poetic epithet for gods/divine.
* "Kanda Market" refers to the Kanda vegetable market.
* "Mizugashi" refers to fruit.
Kanda Market New Year's Party, February 8, 1903
arrowhead, ginger sprout, turnip, greens, chestnut, matsutake mushroom, shiitake mushroom, etc.
* The arrowhead also looks like a red-bud taro.
Japanese Painter Gaho Hashimoto
Fujiwara no Toshiyuki Ason
The |ink| painting, especially |Gaho|'s, even as it approaches
The person whose brush has passed through might be hiding
[Original Poem]
The waves approaching the shore of Suminoe, even as they approach
On the path of dreams, I might be avoiding people's eyes
* "Gaho" refers to the Japanese painter Mr. Gaho Hashimoto.
From December 5th to 11th, Meiji 35
Held at the Japan Art Association in Ueno Park
Invitation to the Silver Wedding Anniversary Painting Exhibition for Master Gaho
Gaho-kai
* "Gaho-kai" is a group formed by volunteers to support Mr. Gaho Hashimoto. Gaho-kai.
Shinko Craftsman Kuwataro Kaji
Ise
The short livelihood of Kuwataro Kaji
Are you telling me to spend this life without meeting?
[Original Poem]
Naniwagata, even for the short interval of the reeds,
Are you telling me to spend this life without meeting?
* "Kuwataro Kaji" refers to Mr. Kuwataro Kaji, a shinko craftsman from the Meiji era.
* "Shinko-zaiku" is a craft where shinko (powder made from dried, polished non-glutinous rice) is kneaded with water, steamed, and colored to create shapes of people, animals, flowers, fruits, etc. It was once seen at festivals and street performances. Shinko-zaiku, Shinko-zaiku.
Apples, peaches, and pears in a bamboo basket
Kuwataro Kaji lived near Tsukudo, Ushigome, and was a master of shinko-zaiku. He was often invited to garden parties or banquets in various places to add to the entertainment. This is one of the specialties of Tokyo.
* The author of "Tokyo Specialties Hyakunin Isshu" (Seifu Shimizu) depicts shinko craftsmen in another book.
Shinko-zaiku
Kuwakichi of Shinko-zaiku
Author's note: ● indicates characters that could not be deciphered.
I will update as appropriate when I discover newly deciphered characters or notice typos/misreadings. For details, please read "Self-introduction / Disclaimer." 📖