The following two subjects might be defferent from the point of "Amusement"
for normal public, however, to better understand japanese culture and customs,
I woulod like to briefly touch those subjects too.
次の二つのテーマは娯楽とは少し違うかと思いますが、日本の文化・習俗
をより理解して頂きたく、付け加えます。
Geisha
Probably, Kyoto may be more famous, but in Edo, there are three types
of Geisha. Namely, oldest Fukagawa Tatsumi geisha called "Haori(short
coat over kimono) geisha, a bit high class Yanagibashi geisha and red-
light zone Yoshiwara geisha. They served for customer by singing and
dancing at "Ozashiki(parlor for party)".
芸者遊び‐茶屋
芸者は京都が有名ですが、江戸時代にもあり、深川の”辰巳芸者（羽織芸者）”と
柳橋や吉原の花街の芸者が居り、吉原は幕府公認の遊郭で、柳橋は隅田川の畔で風光
明媚な場所で、商人や文化人の奥座敷として、舟遊び等にも活用された由。
Each area was shown on the map. Yoshiwara was the government approved
red-light zone behind Asakusa temple and shrine at that time. Fukagawa
is the area of Tomioka Hachiman shrine. Yanagibashi was a bit higher
class thanks to its good location for houseboat party on Sumida river.
Firework display at Sumida river has been so popular among people even
in Edo Period that one of the bridge was fallen down due to the heavy
weight of crowd. Houseboat party with Yanagibashi geisya at the day of
Sumida river fireworks was the ultimate enjoyment of rich class in Edo
Period. Sumida boat trip now may be the similar luxuary and leisure.
隅田川の花火は江戸期から有名で、人出で橋が落ちた事もあるとか、屋形船での
花火見物は金持ちの娯楽でしたが、一般民の乗り合いのものもあったようです。
現在の水上クルーズはその名残かもしれません。
6)Area keeping Edo flavor
Ueno surrounded by Shitaya and Honjo typical "Shitamachi", Negishi
area of villa of renowned persons and Yanaka temple town, filled with
many temples and cemetery is one of the region you may still feel
Edo's flavor.
江戸情緒を残す地域
上野から墓地で有名な谷中一帯、或いは鶯谷までの下谷、は”根岸”といった昔の
別荘地も含み、朝顔市等江戸情緒を残しています。
Asakusa has been tourist No.1 spot, howeber this area also keeps
many buildings and streets resemble Edo Period, as Kappabashi so called
"Tool Street", on top of Asakusa Temple and Shrine and their approaches.
浅草一帯は観光地ですが、かっぱ橋の道具街も含め江戸からの街並みも
一部残る地域です。
Fukagawa, especially area of Tomioka Hachimanguu to Kiyosumi Park plus
"Kiba" and Monzen-Nakamachi is another good area to enjoy Edo atmosphere
still now.
Mukoujima at east side of Sumida river and area near Nedu shrine keep
Edo smell even now. A part of Nihonbashi, like "Ningyou-cho" can be
counted though the area is more famous as the center of modern business.
深川の清澄公園～木場～富岡八幡宮や門前仲町一帯も近代化されていますが、雰囲気
として、江戸を思わせる部分もあります。
薬研堀不動院～浜町公園辺りも、人形町は日本橋に隣接人形師の街として、今でも
雰囲気があります。
向島には江戸期からの料亭が多く残って、情緒を残しています。
根津神社界隈も東大赤門で有名になっているが、江戸期の建物も残り、雰囲気が残って
いる地域です。
I think the information on Edo and Tokyo may be sufficient for now.
In the next post, I would like to move on to other area as Kyoto and Nara.
東京ー江戸の話題は当面この辺でと思います。次回はその他の地域、例えば奈良・京都
といった地域の話をしてみたいと思います。