 Last additions - Katsushika-ku 葛飾区 |
Movie postersFeb 21, 2007
|
|
More exhibitsFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Movie postersFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Tora-san haniwaFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Tora-san's passportFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Contents of his famous travel bagFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Tora-san's personal effectsFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Tora-san's documentsFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Miniature shop arcadeFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Kitchen where they made the dumplings.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Inside the shopFeb 21, 2007
|
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Family living roomFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Inside the studio set of Tora-san. Reconstructed with the original studio set materials used at the Ofuna movie studio.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Family living roomFeb 21, 2007
|
|
葛飾 柴又 くるまやFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Kuruma-ya dumpling shopFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Actual film studio mockup of Kuruma-ya dumpling shopFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign. What a great gag. Get you laughing even before you enter.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Notice the figure on the upper right...Feb 21, 2007
|
|
|
Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Sculpture of Tora-san's famous hat and bagFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Entrance to Tora-san Museum where Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why the series is so popular and enduring. It's probably a combination of several elements. Photo: Summary of all movie installmentsFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Atsumi Kiyoshi who seems to have been born to play Tora-san. (Atsumi never seemed to age even after over 20 years in the role. Tora-san's carefree, happy-go-lucky lifestyle also appeals to many. Photo: Sculpture of Tora-san's famous hat and bag.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The hilarious humor of the characters, the heartwarming scenes, the shitamachi charm of Shibamata, the beautiful scenery and quaintness of the places Tora-san visits, the guest stars. Map of Japan marking all the prefectures where Tora-san was filmed.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
He returns home to Shibamata every once in a while, usually at a most inopportune time for the family, and eventually leaves in disgrace after a family argument or lost love. Photo: Map of Japan marking all the prefectures where Tora-san was filmed.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
He is a drifter who travels extensively all over Japan and works as street vendor/hawker selling little trinkets and what not. Photo: The stripe pattern of the walls is the same as Tora-san's coat.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
He somehow always loses her much to the dismay of his married sister Sakura (played by Baisho Chieko) and adoptive uncle and aunt who run a small kusa dango (mugwort dumpling) shop in Shibamata.Photo: Tora-san Museum 寅さん記念館Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The plot is basically the same for each installment: middle-aged Kuruma Torajiro^ (Tora-san) meets pretty woman (the movie's leading lady whom the Japanese call the "madonna"), has a good time with her and falls in love. Photo: Tora-san MusFeb 21, 2007
|
|
There are plans to build a statue of Sakura, Tora-san's sister, near this statue at Shibamata StationFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Shibamata StationFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Shibamata Station is on Keisei Kanamachi Line which runs between Kanamachi Station on the Japan Railways Joban Line (originating at Ueno Station) and Keisei Takasago Station on the Keisei Main Line coming from Keisei Ueno Station.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The first Tora-san movie came out in 1969 and over 40 more installments have been produced since then. It is entered in the Guiness Book of World Records as being the movie series with the most sequels.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Shibamata Station platformFeb 21, 2007
|
|
This is a pose when Tora-san goes to the Shibamata Station and he looks back to his sister Sakura who calls him.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The Tora-san "Otoko wa Tsurai Yo" (It's Tough Being a Man) movie series was played by the late Atsumi Kiyoshi. Tora-san is Japan's most lovable drifter and lovelorn on the silver screen. Forty-eight movies in this series were produced from 1969 to 1995. Katsushika-ku is where the Tora-san Museum is.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Statue of Tora-san in front of Shibamata Station. Posed like he's going to the station for another faraway trip...Feb 21, 2007
|
|
"Watakushi, umare mo sodachi mo Katsushika, Shibamata desu..." (I was born and raised in Shibamata, Katsushika Ward) If this opening line sounds familiar, you must be one of the many ardent fans of Tora-san movies.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Hondo Hall and Shaka-do HallFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Map of temple groundsFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Goshinsui (purification water fountain).Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Sacred water 御神水Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Hondo main hall 本堂Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Minami Daimon Gate 南大門Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Nitenmon Gate carvingsFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Goshinsui (purification water fountain).Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Daishoro (bell tower)Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Nitenmon Gate carvingsFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Rear of Nitenmon GateFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Nitenmon Gate as seen from Taishaku-do HallFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Suikeien Garden 庭園Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Garden hallway 庭園Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Tea ceremony house 茶室Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Folding screensFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Hinamatsuri dolls 大客殿Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Hina dolls in guest house room 大客殿Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Hina dolls in guest house room 大客殿Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Corridor of guest house 大客殿Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Even the corridor has wood carvings.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Corridor to Guest House (Dai-kyakuden)Feb 21, 2007
|
|
You can walk down a corridor to the Daikyakuden (Reception Hall) made entirely of hinoki (Japanese cypress). This hall faces the lovely Suikeien Garden.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Since the carved walls are two stories high, the scaffolding has upper and lower levels which allows you to view the woodcarvings on the upper and lower halves of the walls. This is the lower floorFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
DragonFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
To protect the exterior woodcarvings from the elements and to allow visitors to view them up close, the temple built a transparent, permanent scaffolding on the side and rear exterior walls of the Taishakudo.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
It makes you feel like you are in an art gallery. From the front of the Taishakudo, the scaffolding is neatly concealed from view.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
If you want a detailed explanation (in Japanese) of the Lotus Sutra scenes depicted by the woodcarvings, buy the pamphlet that is sold at the temple's souvenir stand near the Nitenmon Gate.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Since such large pieces of keyaki wood are very difficult to find and the carvings are so fine, the carvings are regarded as highly valuable cultural assets.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
However, in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck and these panels did not survive. A subsequent search for replacement panels was conducted nationwide.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
In 1926, large keyaki replacement panels were finally procured and the project was back on track. The carvings were completed in 1934.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The first panel was completed in 1922. The carver, Kato^ Toranosuke, proposed that the remaining 9 panels be carved by renown woodcarvers living in Tokyo. A large keyaki panel was delivered to each of the nine carvers.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The side and rear exterior walls of the Taishakudo are blanketed with panels of detailed woodcarvings. They are the most outstanding feature of Shibamata Taishakuten Temple.. 彫刻ギャラリーFeb 21, 2007
|
|
There are ten large carvings (each 2.27 meters by 1.27 meters) depicting scenes from the Lotus Sutra (Hokekyo).Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The woodcarvings were requested by the temple's 16th priest, Nissai. Through a generous donation from devoted follower Suzuki Genjiro, the project was begun.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
It was believed that Indra would step in and chase away the demons causing calamities to the followers of Buddhism. Photo: Wood Carving Gallery (admission charged)Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The Nitenmon Gate was completed in 1896 and features wooden statues of Zocho and Komoku, two of the four Devas which guard the four cardinal directions from demons.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Founded in 1629 by a priest named Nitchu and his disciple Nichiei, the temple belongs to the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The present Naiden (Inner Sanctuary) was completed in 1915. Keyaki (zelkova) was used for all the wood in the building. The present Haiden (Worship Hall) was completed in 1929. Photo: Taishaku-do Hall 帝釈堂Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Taishakuten is the god Indra from Brahmanism, a Hindu religion. Being the god of rain and thunder, Indra was a powerful warrior god that was adopted by Buddhism as a protector. Photo: Glass wall protecting the exterior of Taishaku-do Hall.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
This temple serves as a recurrent backdrop in the Tora-san series. The temple's priest is played by the humorous Ryu Chishu who actually came from a family of Buddhist priests. Photo: Bell towerFeb 21, 2007
|
|
The shop sells kusa dango (mugwort dumplings with real grass inside), the local specialty. Photo: Nitenmon Gate in viewFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Wood carvings on Nitenmon GateFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Toward the end of the shop-lined mall, you will see this Nitenmon Gate of the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, formally known as Daikyoji. 二天門Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Fame has brought prosperity to the shops which line the mall leading to the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple. This shop, called Kameya Honpo, apparently served as the model for the Tora-ya dumpling shop.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
When you get to Shibamata, don't expect the quiet shitamachi charm depicted in the Tora-san movies. Expect a lot of tourists instead, especially on weekends and holidays.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Tora-yaFeb 21, 2007
|
|
This is the shopping arcade which serves as the setting for the famous Tora-san movie series starring Atsumi Kiyoshi.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
The path is lined with shops.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Sando worship path to Taishakuten templeFeb 21, 2007
|
|
Sando worship path to Taishakuten temple. Shibamata is in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward bordered by the Arakawa River in the west and by the Edogawa River in the east.Feb 21, 2007
|
|
Feb 21, 2007
|
|
|
|
