Pix4Japan: April 2024

2024-04-09

Yoroi-Bari Cladding and Gacha-Gacha

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Nostalgic Delights: Yoroi-bari Cladding and Gacha-Gacha Machines in Japan

Location: Gumyoji, Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan

Timestamp: 17:30・2024/04/09

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

ISO 1250 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0

Classic Negative film simulation

Two blocks west of the east entrance of the Gumyoji Shotengai shopping arcade lies a charcoal-grilled yakiniku shop. Its interior and exterior are meticulously designed to evoke a retro ambiance reminiscent of a Japanese house from the 1950s.

This quaint restaurant has garnered numerous positive reviews for its charming interior, menu offerings, and attentive service. Yet, it's not the restaurant itself that captivated my attention. What truly intrigued me was the striking contrast between the dark, classic traditional wooden “yoroi-bari” cladding and the shiny, late Showa era, gacha-gacha toy capsule machines.

Old wooden houses adorned with yoroi-bari cladding can still be spotted today, both in urban and rural areas. Many of these structures date back to the Showa period (1926–1989), while some have been meticulously restored from the earlier Meiji period (1868–1912) and are showcased in open-air museums.

Yoroi-bari cladding is characterized by grooves cut into the upper and lower portions of each plank, allowing them to interlock with the joints of adjacent planks. This ingenious design not only fortifies the walls against winds, rain, and temperature fluctuations but also provides flexibility during small to moderate earthquakes, allowing the structure to better withstand seismic stresses.

While gacha-gacha toy capsule machines were initially marketed towards children, they have evolved to be cherished by individuals of all ages, including adults, for nostalgic reasons. These machines have gained popularity even among adult tourists from abroad, many of whom were likely introduced to the machines through Japanese anime and manga.

Glossary:

鎧張り・yoroi-bari: A type of traditional cladding, often wooden, found on the exteriors of Japanese houses or other small structures. The term “yoroi” originates from the traditional Japanese armor worn by samurai warriors, consisting of numerous small metal plates laced together with silk or leather cords to provide flexibility and strength. Similarly, yoroi-bari cladding achieves these advantages by overlapping panels using interlocking joints.
ガチャガチャ・gacha-gacha: The term “gacha-gacha” is an onomatopoeic representation of the sound produced by the toy vending machine during the action of hand-cranking the handle to retrieve a toy encased in a plastic capsule.

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Fujikata Tofu Shop

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Tofu Delights: A Taste of Tradition, Innovation, and Community

Location: Gumyoji, Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan

Timestamp: 17:18・2024/04/09

Fujikata Tofu Shop

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

ISO 640 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2.0

Classic Negative film simulation

Nestled in the eastern end of the Gumyoji Shotengai, this charming mom-and-pop tofu shop boasts a delightful tradition: crafting fresh tofu onsite each morning. Upon approaching the shop, I was greeted by an array of tofu varieties, each promising a unique blend of flavors and textures, all at pocket-friendly prices.

From the nutty richness of sesame seed paste-infused tofu to the wholesome simplicity of edamame-infused creations, the shop offered a tantalizing selection. Yet, it is their prized silken tofu that steals the show. Renowned for its velvety smoothness and versatility, this delicacy requires minimal preparation and pairs seamlessly with any meal of the day.

Not to be outdone, cotton tofu stood ready for grilling, frying, or simmering, while the savory allure of grilled tofu hinted at its potential in myriad dishes, from sukiyaki to stir-fries.

During a brief chat with the owner's wife, I discovered the rich history behind the shop, which first opened its doors over 60 years ago in Showa Year 37 (1962). As she graciously offered me a sample of their signature silken tofu, I couldn't help but marvel at its delicate balance of lightness and flavor.

Despite its roots in traditional Japanese cuisine, the shop embraces diversity, catering to the tastes of its Korean and Malaysian clientele with popular toppings and accompaniments.

One visit wasn't enough to satisfy my curiosity—or my appetite. Intrigued by whispers of tofu donuts, I found myself drawn back to the shop, eager to indulge. With each bite, I savored the dense, moist texture and subtle sweetness, feeling a surge of energy that propelled me through the rest of my day's photo shoot.

Glossary:

枝豆・edamame: Green soybeans boiled or steamed while in their pods.
絹豆腐 / 絹漉し豆腐・kinudōfu / kinugoshidōfu: Referred to as silken tofu, this type of tofu that is formed without pressing, resulting in a delicate, silky texture., and helps to retain higher levels of vitamin B and potassium content, and served cold with a simple garnish and soy sauce.
木綿豆腐・momendōfu: Referred to as cotton tofu, this type of tofu is broken down and pressed to remove excess water, before re-setting, a process that results in a firmer texture compared to silken tofu, produces a tofu with a higher protein, calcium, and iron content.

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Homareyashuho Wine and Liquor Shop

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Sip the Essence of Spring: Discovering Gumyoji Sakura Beer at Homareyashuho

Location: Gumyoji, Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan

Timestamp: 17:16・2024/04/09

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

ISO 800 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2

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The Homareyashuho Wine & Liquor Shop, established in 1932, is renowned for its signature Gumyoji Sakura Beer. Brewed locally since 2010, this unfiltered beer derives its distinctive flavor from yeast sourced from cherry blossoms grown in the nearby Gumyoji Temple grounds. Known for its fruity and robust flavor, the Sakura Beer continues to captivate beer enthusiasts to this day.

As depicted in my photo, the shop's décor mirrors the vibrant ambiance of Japan's cherry blossom festivals, featuring pink displays and lantern shades that celebrate the famous Sakura Beer. These decorations, reminiscent of those found across Japan during the cherry blossom viewing season, contribute to the shop's quaint charm.

In addition to the Sakura Beer, the shop boasts a diverse selection of locally sourced sake, authentic shochu, and awamori. Visitors can indulge in a variety of flavors, all sourced directly from breweries spanning the breadth of Japan. The shop also offers unique non-alcoholic flavored cider drinks for other customers including children.

Whether you're a connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, a visit to Homareyashuho Wine & Liquor Shop promises a delightful experience steeped in Japanese tradition and flavor.

Glossary:

桜・sakura: This term typically refers to cherry blossoms (flowers) but can also refer to the actual cherry trees. In Japanese culture, sakura holds deep symbolic meaning, representing the beauty and transient nature of life.
酒・sake: This term can refer to all alcoholic drinks in general, but in the above context, it specifically refers to Japanese rice wine, which is brewed through a fermentation process using rice, water, yeast, and koji mold.
焼酎・shochu: Shochu is a Japanese liquor distilled from various ingredients such as sweet potatoes, barley, or rice. It typically has a higher alcohol content than sake and is enjoyed in various ways, including straight, on the rocks, or mixed with water or other beverages.
泡盛・awamori: Awamori is a type of shochu that is a specialty of Okinawa, a region in Japan. It is made from Thai-style indica rice and is aged in traditional clay pots. Awamori has a unique flavor profile and is often consumed as a straight drink or mixed with water or ice.

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Sekizushi Sushi Shop

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Capturing Nostalgia: Sekizushi Sushi Shop at Gumyoji Shotengai

Location: Gumyoji, Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan

Timestamp: 17:14・2024/04/09

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

ISO 1250 for 1/250 sec. at ƒ/2

Classic Negative film simulation

Nestled within the charming streets of the Gumyoji Shotengai in Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan, lies a hidden gem of tradition and flavor: Sekizushi.

As a street photographer, I often find myself drawn to the Showa-esque allure of places like this where history mingles with the aroma of fresh cuisine.

Established in 1980, Sekizushi beckons the locals with its modest facade and welcoming noren curtain, adorned with elegant strokes of the shop's name in white kanji characters on a traditional Japanese indigo blue background.

I didn’t ask permission to shoot the interior, but learned that the restaurant has tatami mat seating for up to 12 patrons and counter seating for up to 11 patrons. The popular 5-piece sashimi platter priced at 2,000 yen seems to strike a balance between quality and affordability, particularly for overseas travelers benefiting from the favorable exchange rate.

What truly captivates me, however, are the subtle details that remind me of bygone days. When you open the wooden-framed glass sliding doors, they make a distinct rattle as the old metal rollers pass over the worn metal railings on the floor.

The rattling sound evokes memories from my late teens of visits to friends' homes that had the same style of sliding doors at the entrance. That “gata-gata” rattling sound of the window panes shaking in their wooden frames takes me back to a nostalgic time of my youth and Japan's economic heyday during the late Showa period.

Glossary:

暖簾 / noren: A traditional Japanese hanging cloth typically suspended from the eaves or doorways of buildings, serving as protection from sunlight or wind. Originating from the late Kamakura period, noren became closely associated with their use as shop signs, often adorned with designs representing the shop's name, trademark, or the owner's family crest.
昭和ガラス引戸 / Shōwa garasu hikido: A type of wooden sliding door commonly found in Japan during the Shōwa period. These doors feature panels made of clear, patterned, or glazed glass set within wooden frames. The frames are equipped with rollers that slide along metal railings installed at the top and bottom of the door frame, allowing for smooth and effortless opening and closing.

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Komeido Bookstore at Gumyoji Shotengai

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Komeido Bookstore at Gumyoji Shotengai

Location: Gumyoji, Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan

Timestamp: 17:12・2024/04/09

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

ISO 3200 for 1/140 sec. at ƒ/13

Classic Negative film simulation

Located at the eastern entrance to the Gumyoji Kannon Street Shopping Arcade (Gumyoji Shotengai), just a minute's walk from Gumyoji Station on the municipal Blue Line subway, lies the Komeido Shoten bookstore.

Rooted in its origins dating back to around 1940, Komeido Shoten is presently under the stewardship of its third-generation owner. The bookstore underwent renovation in 2008, expanding its offerings to encompass a diverse range of books within its 49.58 square-meter (533.67 square-foot) premises.

Among its collection, one can find a plethora of comics, magazines, and novels. Notably, the selection leans less towards business-oriented titles and more towards catering to the preferences of its core clientele, which predominantly comprises students, housewives, and retirees from the local community.

A unique feature of the bookstore is its practice of including small gifts and product samples with many of its books, a gesture that resonates particularly well with the cost-conscious women who frequent the establishment. Furthermore, in recognition of the large student population in the vicinity, the store maintains a well-stocked inventory of relevant textbooks to meet their academic needs.

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Gumyoji Shotengai

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Gumyoji Kannon Street Shopping Arcade East Gate

Location: Gumyoji, Minami Ward, Yokohama, Japan

Timestamp: 17:09・2024/04/09

Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter

ISO 3200 for 1/60 sec. at ƒ/13

Classic Negative film simulation

Gumyoji Kannon Street Shopping Arcade, known locally as Gumyoji Shotengai, lies nestled between Gumyoji Station on the Keihin-Kyuko Line to the east and Gumyoji Station on the Yokohama municipal subway Blue Line to the west.

This covered shopping arcade (typically called a shotengai in Japanese), sits along the path leading to Yokohama's oldest Buddhist temple, established roughly 1,300 years ago during the Nara Period.

The roofing that blankets the shopping street provides protection to visitors, particularly those en route to the temple.

Whether one seeks everyday essentials or indulges in gourmet delights, taking a leisurely stroll down this extensive shotengai is a regularly occurring pastime, especially following a visit to the temple located at the street's far western end.

Glossary:

商店街 shotengai: A section or street in a town or urban neighborhood lined with shops.