Hi there. In early January, an Architecture Tour Guide Unit annual meeting was held in Ginza, Tokyo. I flew there all the way from Fukuoka in Kyushu island. And I met up with my dear friend who is working as an English architecture tour guide at Higashi Ginza. She guided me along the way and gave me a lecture of Kabukiza and the origin of the name of Ginza. she hasn’t change a bit, still the same cool girl who has good spirit since university.

みなさん、こんにちは。年初にある建築ガイドユニットの報告会が銀座で催されたのを機に、私も福岡から馳せ参じました。粋という言葉が本当によく似合う、英語建築ガイドをしている大学時代の友と東銀座で落合い、歌舞伎座や銀座という街の名前の由来を説明して貰いながら朝の銀座を歩きました。

Ginza means Place of Silver if I make a direct translation. Since Edo period (1600-1867) silver had been produced by the government there. And  the Bank of Japan is close to Ginza that made easy to carry the silver to the national bank. Ginza is such a chic city that cherishes a long tradition in this day and age. If you go through a small alley, you can still come across a shrine that worships foxes that was originated in Edo era.

銀座とは銀の座、つまりこの地で江戸時代より銀を鋳造していたことに由来するそうです。（日銀も近くにあることとも関係しています。）そして、この銀座には江戸の名残が今も生きていて、細い路地裏に入ると今もお稲荷さんが祀られている神社があるそうです。

And I bought these beautiful Ukiyoe post cards at Itoya in Ginza that is a  long established stationary shop since 1904.

そして、この浮世絵のハガキの数々は1904年創設の老舗文具店の伊東屋で買い求めました。

We had a lovely lunch after the meeting and we enjoyed  good conversations about Sumo. A lady who was born in Ryogoku, Tokyo that is the holy ground of Sumo, shared such a deep love for Sumo with us. Not only Sumo, but we are all proud of Japanese traditional cultures. I felt as if I could sense the core of Japanese culture which is rooted in the long history.

報告会の後にあった食事会では相撲の話で盛り上がり、両国生まれの方の濃い相撲愛には日本文化に対する深い誇りを感じ、日本という国、東京という場所の歴史に根ざしたものから醸成される、えも言われぬ魅力の源に少しだけ触れることが出来たように思います。

Yes, Japan is so mesmerizing and cool! Everybody, have a great day and night! Blessings to you!

やはり日本はクール！皆様、良き1日をお過ごしください。皆様に祝福がありますように！