Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

Strolling through Nishi-ward: Landscape with Kura (Japanese storehouse)



It is not rare that old families in countryside have Kura (Japanese storehouse). However, in Yokohama, which has experienced Great Kanto earthquake and fires of wars, you can find only limited number of Kura owned by pawnbrokers in the central Yokohama.

In the past, “building a kura” is statues symbol. ※It can be seen in a phrase from children’s song called Gold Beetle which says “gold beetle is rich, they built a treasure house, Kura”.



When I was walking, I caught sight of a house with Kura at a corner of Sengen-cho. It looks like the kura is relatively new, but it has a sense of dignity and I liked it. It looks like with Kura, a house would be upgraded to a mansion.



There are some kanji including “倉” and “庫” which have same meaning as “kura=蔵”. But when I see the scenery, I believe “蔵” fits the best.



※Supervised by Kiyoshi Akiyama and others “Standard text of Noguchi Ugyo Vol. 4” Published by Miraisha.



Writing and picture by Tai Hasewaga (Nishi ward Cultural Association/Chairman of Kiko Society)



※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition between November 1997 and April 2004. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.



(Published April in 1999)