津多屋商店

Our store opened in 1931 and has been running for more than 80 years until today. We are deeply connected with the riverside fish market's culture, which includes Noren (shop curtains), Chochin (paper lanterns), Hanten (a short coat), Chokoku kanban (a sculpted signboard), and Tenugui (a Japanese towel).

In the past, sketches were necessary to make these products, and of course they were all done by hand.
There are many fonts now, and anyone can easily make a layout using computers, but I still believe in using hand-written and hand-drawn materials. I still draw original sketches to make the products in our store.

Tsukiji is moving to Toyosu in the next few years. At this time I would like to say, "Let's write Edo characters together!"; I will start a program to teach people about these characters because I would like everyone to enjoy them as part of the fish market's culture from the Edo period.

I would like you to understand the difference between the Edo character's history, other characters, and their usefulness. We will also have a program that lets you write a character on a lantern or on a Pochi bag(a decorative paper envelope) to bring home with you.

Please look at the following details. Classes will be held every Wednesday and Saturday until further notice.

Starting January 2013, every Wednesday and Saturday:
1st class: 10:30AM～12:00PM
2nd class: 13:00PM～14:30PM
3rd class: 15:00PM～16:30PM

・Objective
Write a character on a lantern or on a decorative paper envelope to bring home with you.

・Price
-envelope: \2,000 (includes four Pochi bags and the brush-lettering with the class)
-lantern: \4,000 (includes the lantern and the brush-lettering with the class)
Other items may be included in the price.

・Place: At our store.　(1 to 6 people per class)
　6-5-5,Tsukiji,Chuo-ku,Tokyo

・Inquiries: Tsutaya Store Co., ＴＥＬ　03-3541-3741 ＦＡＸ　03-3541-8511

Hope you can make a time to try this opportunity when you are in Tsukiji.

Tradition is not merely a thing, style, or ceremony which simply conveys some quality in the same way as was done in the past. It changes to match the times, and is constantly in a state of change as we head into the future.
There are some traditions that are gone already.
However, the true meaning of the products or work which are said to be "traditional" cannot be conveyed if nobody buys or uses them. Also, it's difficult if people are no longer making the necessary tools, materials, or parts.
It is commonplace for a person who makes things to study, to see various goods and styles, and to talk with other craftsmen.
The main goal should be to provide high-quality goods or services that exceed customers' expectations.

Even with current trends and technologies, they will become "traditional" after many years.
I think it is wonderful to create state-of-the-art technology, but it is also good to connect and combine the techniques from the past with those being developed and perfected now to further create new jobs and materials, for now and for the future.
I believe that the most important thing is to continue to love the work that you have chosen.

Japan was peaceful and prosperous in the years after the 5 elite generals, particularly in the Genroku Period of the Edo Era- which lasted from 1688-1704. During this time many kinds of entertainment were created.
Advertisements invited people to visit Kabuki- a puppet show, play, or theater which also included sumo wrestling.

In theaters, audience members would hold up signs with character names boldly written, so as to leave as little white space as possible, for good luck. Every character with a name that you see in kabuki was created during the Edo period, and those names are still being used today.

Kabuki　：歌舞伎	Kanteiryu　勘亭流（かんていりゅう）
Jyoruri　：浄瑠璃	Jyoruri character 　浄瑠璃文字（じょうるりもじ）
Sumo　：相撲	Dumo character 　相撲文字（すもうもじ）
Yose：寄席（落語など）	Bira character (Ukon Tachibana propagate as a Tachibana style variety hall letters )　ビラ字（故、橘右近さんが橘流寄席文字として伝えている）
	Bira is referred to as leaflets or posters today.　ビラとは今でいうポスターの事。
Omatsuri(gala,festival), Chochin-ya(Lantern maker), Somemono-ya(Dye house), Kago character, Force character These characters are now generally referred to Edo character. お祭、提灯屋、染物屋:　籠字（かごじ）、力文字　※これが今では一般に言う江戸文字

These names are mostly born in the Edo period, has come down to the present day is also known as "Edo character".
The roots of these characters are also called from was used in official documents of the Tokugawa Shogunate "Oieryu".

2005 Copyright (C) Tsutaya　Shouten　co.,ltd. All Rights Reserved.
暖簾（のれん）・半纏（はんてん）・千社額（せんしゃがく）・大漁旗・駒札・各種書き文字　　有限会社津多屋商店