Image search results - "katsushika-ku" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "katsushika-ku"

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.

"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.

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.

Statue of Tora-san in front of Shibamata Station. Posed like he's going to the station for another faraway trip...

Sando worship path to Taishakuten temple

This is a pose when Tora-san goes to the Shibamata Station and he looks back to his sister Sakura who calls him.

The path is lined with shops.

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.

Tora-ya

He will soon be accompanied by a statue of his sister Sakura.

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.

This is the shopping arcade which serves as the setting for the famous Tora-san movie series starring Atsumi Kiyoshi.

Shibamata Station platform

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.

Shibamata Station

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.

Shop called Toraya.

This shop was used in the early Tora-san films.

Daruma dolls

There are plans to build a statue of Sakura, Tora-san's sister, near this statue at Shibamata Station

The shop sells kusa dango (mugwort dumplings with real grass inside), the local specialty. Photo: Nitenmon Gate in view

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

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 Mus

Wood carvings on Nitenmon Gate

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

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 tower

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.

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.

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.

Founded in 1629 by a priest named Nitchu and his disciple Nichiei, the temple belongs to the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.

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 installments

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

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.

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.

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.

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)

Sculpture of Tora-san's famous hat and bag

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

Notice the figure on the upper right...

There are ten large carvings (each 2.27 meters by 1.27 meters) depicting scenes from the Lotus Sutra (Hokekyo).

Entrance to Tora-san Museum where Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign.

The woodcarvings were requested by the temple's 16th priest, Nissai. Through a generous donation from devoted follower Suzuki Genjiro, the project was begun.

Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign.

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.

Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign. What a great gag. Get you laughing even before you enter.

However, in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck and these panels did not survive. A subsequent search for replacement panels was conducted nationwide.

In 1926, large keyaki replacement panels were finally procured and the project was back on track. The carvings were completed in 1934.

Facade of Taishakuten temple. Also see my video at YouTube.

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.

Actual film studio mockup of Kuruma-ya dumpling shop

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.

葛飾　柴又　くるまや

Inside the studio set of Tora-san. Reconstructed with the original studio set materials used at the Ofuna movie studio.

Kuruma-ya dumpling shop

Family living room

Inside the shop

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.

It makes you feel like you are in an art gallery. From the front of the Taishakudo, the scaffolding is neatly concealed from view.

Also see my video at YouTube.

Kitchen where they made the dumplings.

Miniature shop arcade

Tora-san's documents

Tora-san's passport

Tora-san's personal effects

Contents of his famous travel bag

Tora-san haniwa

JR Kameari Station, south exit

More exhibits

JR Kameari Station, north exit

JR Kameari Station police box

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 floor

Movie posters

Policeman character from the famous manga series, KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops.

Dragon

Movie posters

JR Kameari Station platform

You can walk down a corridor to the Daikyakuden (Reception Hall) made entirely of hinoki (Japanese cypress). This hall faces the lovely Suikeien Garden.

Leading ladies or the "madonna." It's quite an honor for an actress to be chosen as a madonna in a Tora-san movie

Corridor to Guest House (Dai-kyakuden)

Tora-san souvenir shop

Even the corridor has wood carvings.

After visiting the temple, most of the tourists walk to the nearby Edogawa riverbank which you often see in the Tora-san series. Road to Yagiri no Watashi (boat crossing)

Corridor of guest house 大客殿

Edogawa River. Visiting Shibamata will enable you to appreciate and understand the local settings used to film the Tora-san series.

Hina dolls in guest house room 大客殿

Many movie scenes were filmed along this riverbank.

Hina dolls in guest house room 大客殿

To Yagiri no Watashi

Hinamatsuri dolls 大客殿

Folding screens

The boats operate on weekends. Fare is 100 yen one way.

Yagiri no Watashi boat dock

This form of public transportation dates back to the Edo Period when there were 14 locations in Tokyo where such boats operated. Only this one now remains. Boarding the Yagiri Watashi boat. 矢切の渡し

Yagiri no Watashi boat crossing. After the two-minute river crossing, you will be in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. You can then tour various temples and parks in Matsudo and neighboring Ichikawa on foot. There are signs along the way to guide you.

Garden hallway 庭園

Tea ceremony house 茶室

Suikeien Garden 庭園

Nitenmon Gate as seen from Taishaku-do Hall

Rear of Nitenmon Gate

Nitenmon Gate carvings

Daishoro (bell tower)

Goshinsui (purification water fountain).

Sacred water 御神水

Minami Daimon Gate 南大門

Hondo Hall and Shaka-do Hall

Hondo main hall 本堂

Map of temple grounds

Poster for the Katsushika Shobu (Iris) Matsuri Festival held at Mizumoto Park and Horikiri Iris Garden. 葛飾菖蒲まつり

I visited Horikiri Garden first, then dashed off to visit Mizumoto Park, a short bus ride from Kanamachi Station. From the bus stop, this little gate points the way to the park.