Tora-san's Hometown Shibamata Booming Again

This episode is a bit local in the sense that not so many foreigners may even know about Tora or Shibamata. Nevertheless, I know for a fact there are quite a few foreign fans of Tora-san in town. I'm Nathan Shiga to tell such friends of Tora-san a recent development in his hometown in Shibamata.

The hero of "Otokowa Tsuraiyo" ("Tough to be Born a Man") Kuruma Torajiro or popularly Tora-san has his bronze statue 10 yards away from Shibamata Station; along the 200-yard approach to the Taishaten Temple line up some 50 classy shops and stores selling all sorts of good old things. Many scenes of the Tora-san films were shot here and there along the approach and in the temple garden.

Now, the Katsushika Ward where the town is located is engaging experts and professionals to reassess the sceneries from statue to temple with a view to having the entire environment designated an important cultural spot. The ward officials have in mind a 2x1 square-kilometer area covering the Shibamata Station, the Taishakuten Temple, the Yedo River banks, etc. designated a national cultural spot

A series of gatherings with the local Shibamatanns are due to work out what to do and what not to do to win designation. A basic plan will be outlined within this year targeting formal designation in 2017.

Director of the Katsushika City Museum Tomohiro Ishibashi comments:

"The preservation plan will outline the basics for all kinds of restrictions and regulations imposed on the daily life of local townsfolk. We ought to make sure not to inconvenience them while effecting necessary protection."

You know, altogether 48 films were made under the title "Otokowa Tsuraiyo" and his hometown still draws visitors just to stroll for Tora-san's sake. Once designated a national cultural sport, Shibamata will have a fresh Tora-san boom revived for sure.

Good show, Tora-san.