Edo Tokyo Museum

Shaina-san and I decided to soak in some more culture and go on an adventure to the Ryogoku District to the Edo Tokyo Museum. We had a blast! On the east bank of the Sumida River, Ryogoku was a great entertainment and commerce center in Edo's Shitamachi. These days it is a quiet place but it still has it's famous residents - sumo wrestlers. Many beya (sumo stables) are here and it is not unusual to see huge young men walking the streets in yukata (light cotton kimonos) and geta (wooden sandals). Unfortch, we did not see any sumo wrestlers frolic-ing in the streets but Shai and I did get hit on by some school boys who called us, "Hey Sexy!" : )

Beside the sumo stadium is the huge Edo Tokyo Museum, built to resemble an old style of elevated warehouse. One of Tokyo's most imaginative and interesting museums, it's exhibition space is divided into two zones on two floors tracing life in Edo and then Tokyo, as Edo was renamed in 1868. The exhibits which are interactive, appeal to both adults and children and have explanations in Japanese and English.









The historic route around the museum starts at a traditional arched wooden bridge, a replica of Nihonbashi.




There are life-sized reconstructed buildings, including the facade of a Kabuki theater.





Marvelous scale-model dioramas, some of which are automated, show everything from the house of a daimyo (feudal lord) to a section of Shitamachi.






This is an example of a instrument used by firefighters during the Edo period to alert others when there was a fire. Edo firefighters were established in 1718 to prtect the townspeople. Standards, like this one were symbols for each unit. There were 47 units, each named after a kana character. The "su" unit has been in charge of the Tsukiji area in Chuo-ku.





Most Edo streets were lined with houses (machiya) on both sides. Many shops and flourishing businesses also faced the streets. Off the street, in the back, were the row houses, (nagaya) in which the citizens made their homes. Wells, garbage dumps, and toilets were communal. Each ward had it's facilities for crime prevention and fire prevention, as well as aqueducts and sewers.





Homeowners (yanushi)in each ward were responsible for the management and repair of facilities in the ward. Yanushi oversaw the operation of the fire brigade and supervised other activites directly related to everyday life. Representatives of the yanushi served as town officials and/or as employees. Top authority in city matters was delegated to the town magistrates(machi hugyo), below whom were the town elders and the community heads. These officials were not directly involved with the management of the city. Instead, their duty was to give orders and to oversee city administration.


Here is a life-size reconstruction of a kabuki play come to life. In this section of the museum there were also miniature animated models of a kabuki theatre, showing how special effects were cleverly created. We enjoyed this section very much after having experienced our first live kabuki show earlier in the week!




Here is a closeup shot of what looks like the villian in this kabuki play....




Here is me on a reconstruction of an Edo period rickshaw (jinrikisha). You can still ride in a rickshaw if you are in the Asakusa district.





Here I am on an oversized adult tricycle. This made me laugh uncontrollably as I was getting on it as well as off it....








This is an example of one of Japan's first "light" automobile, a three seater Subaru with a 360 cc engine.





Calling home...collect ofcourse.




If you are in Tokyo and only have a chance to check out only one museum, then I highly, highly recommend Tokyo's most imaginative and interesting museum, Edo-Tokyo Museum. Hope you enjoyed the preview!

Lunch at the Edo Tokyo Museum...

Here is Shai and I enjoying our melon floats and tempura udon noodle soup before heading inside to the Edo Tokyo Museum in the Ryogoku District. I was feeling a bit under the weather, as I lost my voice and a nice soothing bowl of udon noodle soup is just what the doctor ordered. I finally got to taste a melon float which is simply delish. It's melon soda (which as you can see is electric glow in the dark) and comes complete with vanilla bean ice cream on top to compete a lovely and delicious float situation. : p (Yeah, i said situation).

Er'body in da hub gettin' tipsy....

We stopped in at The Hub, an English pub in Akasaka for a cheap dinner and grab a couple drinks. Here is a pic of the usual suspects, me, Shai and Jamizzle. Shout out to Jamal, who will probably never read this and just got on his plane to North Carolina. We will miss you J-dawg. ; p (pours one out for our homie)....

Room service.

Shai and I decided to have a quiet night in and watch a movie and eat pizza. As we looked through the hotel room's menu we noticed a most unusual type of entree/dessert....Stewed Beef a la mode. Neither one of us was adventurous enough to order it, as we were both starving so we ordered pizza and tempura.

The pizza was cheezy goodness. It had basically every topping that they could find in the kitchen including ham. I need to stop eating ham and bacon.

Uh....

How did Shai and my room become mission control for party central?






We had a laugh reading through the book, "Making out in Japanese" which Bill Murray talks about in Lost in Translation, if you watch the extras portion on the DVD. This book includes such notable gems such as:

" Poketto-ni futon-ga hait-teru." - I have a futon in my pocket.

"Hokuro-o mitsuketa: - I found your birthmark.

"Nannin-no onna no-ko-o nakasetano?" - How many girls have you made cry?

"Nannin-no- otoko-o nakasetan da?" How many boys have you made cry?

Imperial Palace Gardens.

We need a rest. It was yet another lateeeeeeeee night last night so me, Jamal, and Shai headed over to the Imperial Palace Gardens to lay in the grass and zen out.







History lesson: Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, started building his castle here in 1590. In the Edo period his successors made this into the world's largest castle, now only the inner circle remains. The emperor and his family still live in the western part of the grounds in the Imperial Palace, rebuilt after the previous one was bombed during World War II. Public access is allowed twice a year - at New Year and on the emperor's birthday. The rest of the grounds, bounded by the moat, are divided into public parks.

Who wants some FREE Krispy Kreme?

We showed up in the Krispy Kreme in Shibuya just when they were giving out FREE Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I seriously love this place by the second.

Senso-ji Temple at night....

Before I got back on the subway I had little orange man take one last picture of me at Senso-ji Temple at night. It was so beautiful to arrive there late, stay nearby and then see it all lit up without the crowds, partly because it started to pour really bad and the crowds completely disbursed and i basically had it all to myself. ; )

Senso-ji Temple

Popularly known as Asakusa Kannon, Senso-ji Temple this is Tokyo's most sacred and spectacular temple. Legend has it that a golden image of Kannon, the Goddess of Compassion, was fished out of the nearby Sumida-gawa River by two Fisherman in AD 628. In time, a temple was built to house the image, which has remained on the same spot ever since giving it it's alternative name Asakusa Kannon-do. Whether the ancient image of Kannon actually exists inside is a secret. Not that this stops a steady stream of worshippers making their way up the stairs to the temple where they cast coins, clap ceremoniously and bow in a gesture of respect.

When approaching Senso-ji from the Asakusa subway station, you enter through Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) between the scowling protective deities: Fujin, the god of wind, on the right, and Rajin, the god of thunder, on the left. Straight on through the gate is Nakamise-dori, a busy precinct. Everything from tourist trinkets to genuine Edo-style crafts are sold here; there's even a shop selling the elaborate wigs that are won with kimonos. (Shai and I plan to come back here together to purchase our kimonos). Nakamise-dori leads to the main temple compound. In front of the temple is a large incense cauldron, whose smoke is said to bestow health. If any part of your body - modesty permitting, naturally is giving you trouble, do as the locals do and fan some smoke onto yourself, rubbing it through your clothing into the area that ails you.

I arrived here well past 5 o'clock so I plan to come back and take more pictures, so expect another blog and pics. On this fine day however, I met a little orange man (he had an interesting self tanner application situation) going on and was so helpful. I asked him one question and basically he was like the tourist board pulling out maps and telling me stories and even later walking me across the street to a local traditional Japanese supermarket where I bought some kokuto and kuromitsu ice cream and a most popular dessert of sweet sugar rice balls on a kebab.

The Hills....

ROPPONGI HILLS that is....

Here are a few pics of Roppongi Hills, which is famous for it's club scene and is particularly popular with expats. You can find just about any music you want here, jazz, blues, ska, hip hop, classic, disco, crisco, frisco disco (just kidding) Unveiled in 2003, Roppongi Hills aspires to be an all purpose mini cit. The 54 story Mori Tower forms the focus of the hills. Over 200 shops, restaurants, and bars occupy the complex, which also boasts cinemas, interconnecting walkways, the Grand Hyatt Tokyo (not the one from Lost in Translation...that one is in Shinjuku) and the richly imaginitive and daring exhibits of the Mori Art Museum. Admission to the museum includes access to the Tokyo City View, a 52nd-floor observation deck (open later than the museum) . Maman, the giant, spiny, spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeois outside the main tower, is a major draw.

HAVE A RICE DAY : )

Tokyo Subway...

Here is a pic of Shai and I on our way with the rest of the crew on our way to dinner.

The subway system in Tokyo is fast and efficient. There is the subway and then there is the JR (Japan Rail) for further excursions outside the city. Many stations have multiple exits; it is often easier to go up to ground level, then orient yourself. Finding the exit is always a problem for me. I always get lost. I am just fine taking the subway, it's just when it comes to trying to get the heck out I get dizzy and feel like I am going in circles because you usually need to take about 3 or 4 escalators to get up to ground level.

Presents!

Here is a better pic of the presents Shai got me when I arrived. A fresh kimono in left on your bed each morning. : )

Konnichiwa little dude...

Schools Out!

Here are a few pics in and around our neighborhood in Akasaka.....

Masked

It is common for people to wear a medical mask if one is sick or has a cold here. I lost my voice a few nights ago and was looking everywhere for either a Hello Kitty medical mask but couldn't find one. I know it's out there somewhere, but have yet to find it....

POMPADOUR

BTW, I am playing uber catch up with my blogs / pics so the dates are going to be off.

Here are the adorable storekeepers at POMPADOUR....