Kanagawa Standing Drinking Culture Talk Vol.3 “Walking and Blues”
2014.11.11 Text: Akiko Inoue Photo: Masamasa Nishino
Chikara FUJIWARA
Editor, critic, freelancer. Hosted by BricolaQ. Born in Kochi City in 1977. At the age of 12, he moved to Tokyo and started living alone in Tokyo. After that, he moved around a lot, and after working for a publishing company, became a freelancer. Responsible for editing magazines such as ``Expo'', Musashino Art University public relations magazine ``mauleaf'', and Setagaya Public Theater ``Caromag''. Co-edited with Riki Tsujimoto, ``Book Guide as Architecture'' (Meigetsudo Shoten). Co-authored with Kyoko Tokunaga, ``The Strongest Theory of Theater'' (Asuka Shinsha). Currently living in Yokohama. Involved in the launch of Theater Center F.
Yoshio OHTANI
Critic and musician born in 1972. Edited and wrote the music criticism magazine "Espresso" from 1996 to 2002. Since then, he has continued to be active, including co-authoring ``The School That Taught Melancholy and Sensuality'' with Naruyoshi Kikuchi, and publishing ``Poor Music'' and ``A Discursive Stroll through the World of Prose: Reading Twentieth Century Criticism.'' Engage in writing activities. In addition to that, he is also active as a musician and participates in many groups such as SIM and MAS. Released solo albums ``From 'Kawagishi Hojisho'' and ``Ongaku for the Stage 2'' on HEADZ, and ``Jazz Abstractions'' on BlackSmoker. He composed the music for the movie ``Randou to Waitai'' and also composed the theme song under the name ``Relativity Theory and Yoshio Otani''. He performs in a variety of sessions, including theater and contemporary dance stages.
Yuriko (Suzukiya's mom): Yes, this is what Paul gave me.
Here at Suzukiya Liquor Store, snacks are always provided by Paul, a regular customer, and are served to customers free of charge.
Fujiwara: Wow! thank you.
Otani: What is this? ! margarine…?
Yuriko: Cheese.
Before we get to the main topic, let's start with a small talk...
Fujiwara: First, let's do some kicking to stimulate the economy...!
Kakuuchi is a place for the locals to relax, so it's not something to get too excited about, but this time I was kind enough to visit Suzukiya.
Actually, a few years ago, Mr. Otani took me to Asamiya in Yokohama Bridge, and it was the first time I went to Kakuuchi in Kanagawa Prefecture. There is left, isn't it?
Otani: Even though it's called Yokohama, it's a big place. There are still many liquor stores that are doing well.
Fujiwara: This time, Mr. Otani and I will be participating in the ``Honmoku Art Project 2014,'' so we chose Honmoku as the setting.
Honmoku is a town located south of Motomachi past the Mugita Tunnel (Yamate Tunnel), and is not served by trains. The main means of transportation will be buses. It was requisitioned by the US military until 1982. When that land was returned, Mycal Honmoku was built...The main venue for this art project was the old movie theater that used to be in Mycal. I heard that Mr. Otani also went there.
Otani: Yeah.
Fujiwara: That story was written in the tabloid version of the Honmoku Times, so I'd like you to read it there.
“Honmoku Times” published by Honmoku Art Project * Click here for the first issue
Fujiwara: The first thing that made me think of Honmoku was... Do you remember...? When Mr. Otani directed Yasunari Kawabata's ``The Sound of the Mountain'' in Roppongi, he gave me a ride back to Yokohama on the way home.
Otani: I see. At that time, we were carrying tatami mats.
Fujiwara: So when we got to Sakuragicho, Mr. Otani blurted out, ``If you go straight down this road, you'll reach Honmoku.'' At the time, I didn't know anything about it, so much so that I could have read it as "honmaki" if I didn't do it right, but of course I had heard "honmoku" as a sound, and in songs...for example, Crazy Ken. It's a band. Then, for the first time, the image connected with me, thinking, ``Oh, this is Honmoku?''
As the clock rolls around 4 o'clock, regular customers begin to gather at Suzukiya. That day, there was a lot of excitement talking about the Showa era.
Regular customer A: 1986 was the last year, right?
Otani: No, the Emperor passed away in January of 1988, so 1988 was the last year. The last person born in the Showa era was already 26 years old. Approximately half of the world's population was born in the Heisei era.
Yuriko: Are you from the Showa era?
Otani: It was the 1960s.
Fujiwara: I was in the 50s.
Regular customer B: Huh? Is it from the Showa era? ? What, Mom, I'm not the only one who's getting old (lol).
Otani: I've been thinking about it recently, but if I were to use the image of my career as a child as a yardstick, a person who is 50 years old now would be 40 years old, and a 40 year old person would be 30 years old, minus 10 years. It generally fits the image. Well, it's a fair story, though. This is also the case with many musicians, and there are many people who finally start making their own music around the age of 30, which is the age when the Beatles disbanded.
Fujiwara: Ah, that might be true. I still can't believe that Bakabon's dad is 41 years old. That's why Mr. Otani has surpassed the idea of being Bakabon's father, not only because he's unpopular.
Oh, sorry. I want to mix it with tomato juice and shochu.
Yuriko: Yes, 230 yen.
Fujiwara: Come to think of it, I've been reading King Arthur's Tales (*) every night lately.
*King Arthur's Tale: One of the chivalry stories of medieval Europe. A fantasy filled with stories of heroes and miracles based on myths and folklore, such as ``Knights of the Round Table,'' ``The Quest for the Holy Grail,'' and ``Tristan and Isolde.'' It is generally known that in the 1400s, Thomas Malory compiled previously scattered stories into one.
Otani: Why?
Fujiwara: I was feeling depressed and bought this research book on impulse at a used bookstore in Yamate. I loved the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table when I was little, but the writing style of this research book is rather chaotic and appealing, and I really like the way the author wrote it as he imagined it. The same story repeats over and over again, so it feels like I'm listening to my grandpa's story.
So, in the book, there is a story that there was a time when people in the upper class of England spoke French, is that famous? Maybe it's my own ignorance, but hey, that's surprising! That's what I thought. After all, in the movie ``My Fair Lady,'' there was a story about a poor, tomboyish girl played by Audrey Hepburn who studies proper English. Classy, traditional English.
Otani: Something like ``In Spain, rain mainly falls on the plains''?
Fujiwara: Huh? What was that?
Otani: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plane.
Fujiwara: Ah, that's it. In other words, Nama Mugi Na Magome Na Matamago.
Then I remembered that there was an episode about Hepburn. You've worked as a cat sitter for Mr. Otani before, haven't you?
Otani: Ah, you asked for it. I think it was when I was on a tour somewhere.
Fujiwara: So, when I snuck out of Otani Sanchi at night and took a stroll to Koganecho, I found that the restaurant was no longer there, but there was a bar called Gonbei that also served ramen near the Keikyu elevated train. It was. The drunk man at the counter started yelling some awful slang that we can't use here. However, the wife made light use of it, which I thought was amazing.She seemed to like movies, so we ended up talking about Hepburn and had a great time. ...So, that night, I decided to move here.
Otani: Huh, why?
Fujiwara: I wonder why. ...How long have you lived in Yokohama, Mr. Otani?
Otani: I think it was 20 years ago. When I first came out of Hachinohe, I did a lot of my friends' houses in Tokyo.
Fujiwara: After that, I stayed in Yokohama. Haven't you ever wanted to live in Tokyo?
Otani: I don't think so.
Yuriko served regular customer Paul's special pickles and jalapenos.
Fujiwara: Paul always brings a lot of delicious food.
Paul: Mom, get out the little spoon! It's better to use a spoon for picking.
Regular Customer A: Brother, is this your first time eating this?
Otani: Yeah, it was my first time eating it.
Regular Customer A: We eat here every week. That's why I've lived so long (lol).
Around 5pm, many regulars gather and enjoy their conversations.
Regular Customer B: Looks like there's going to be another typhoon.
Yuriko: No way.
Regular Customer B: I'm going to give up.
Otani: Paul, until what time do you work?
Paul: About 2 o'clock. No overtime for salaried employees. Work is work.
Otani: Work is work. Isn't it overtime?
Yuriko: It's a small company.
Yuriko-san/Paul: (in unison) I see.
Regular customer outside: I come here every day to drink. Look around here on Google Earth, I'm in the picture.
Staff: Eh! ? Isn't it already your world debut? !
Amidst the fun conversation, I headed to the second restaurant, ``Tachinomidokoro Yamashizu,'' even though my hair was getting scratched.
Before that, we took a commemorative photo with everyone from Suzukiya Liquor Store!
▶ Next is the second house.
The signboard for this restaurant says ``standing-nomi'', but there are actually chairs where you can sit. This is a hidden gem that offers fresh ingredients sourced from nearby markets, Hayama, Hokkaido, etc. at amazing prices.
For now, let's have a toast with beer!
Master: How is it?
Otani/Fujiwara: Delicious! ! !
Otani: How much is this?
Master: 300 yen.
Otani: Eh, 300 yen for this is crazy, right? (lol)
All food and drinks at Yamashizu are 300 yen!
Otani: No, this is really good... wonderful.
Master: It's delicious, isn't it? It's no use unless the bubbles stop.
We have received the Meister title (*) from Suntory.
*This title is given only to Meisters who meet the highest standards among restaurants that serve premium malts.
Fujiwara: Let's eat meat. Apparently, fresh meat can be obtained from the Daikoku Pier slaughterhouse.
Master: There's also a heart in the liver that's only available on Thursdays.
Otani: Can you eat liver raw?
Master: Yes, you can live. (Note: This is pork liver.) (Note: This is information as of November 2014.)
Fujiwara: Well, let's start with Reba-sashimi. I also recommend Hayama's wakame seaweed.
Otani: I really want to eat octopus from Hayama.
Fujiwara: Then let's have sashimi.
Master: Yes, let's stab the liver first. Just try a bite.
The Thursday-only liver is apparently purchased from the Daikoku Pier slaughterhouse!
Otani/Fujiwara: Excellent.
Master: Isn't it sweet?
Otani: It's chewy. Blood tastes good...
Master: All items are 300 yen.
Otani: Eh! ! Maybe it's just a hassle to change the price? ? I have to think about the cost properly (lol).
Fujiwara: By the way, the master's son seems to be running a second store in Isezaki-cho.
Otani: Huh. It's nearby, so I'll give it a try.
Mr. Yoshio Otani
Fujiwara: The mysterious thing about Mr. Otani is that although he is aware of genres such as "modern jazz," he never lives within that genre. I feel like I'm living in a fairly macroscopic time.
Otani: That's because genre is outside of yourself. Whether it's theater, movies, novels, music, or criticism, there's naturally a tension between yourself and the outside world, and I just want to create something good one by one within that.
It's actually nice to have what I do categorized in various ways, and when people look at me and say, ``That's how it is,'' I feel like ``Ah, that's right.''
Fujiwara: I can kind of understand that feeling, but it might be rare in this world.
Otani: The world is in a lot of trouble, so please do what you want in the world! (lol)
Fujiwara: Ai, that's understandable~
Otani: Ah, Master, can I have some sake?
Master: The sake is a large sake bottle and is made from Shochikubai.
Otani: Ah...but I feel like shochu would go better...
Master: Shochu is made from ``Wanko (wheat)'' and ``Nanko (potato)''.
Otani: No...but I thought... Make the sake hot and use a large sake bottle!
Master: Yes.
"Panderer" appeared in modern times
Otani: Well, I think we can move on to Benjamin now. What's today's theme?
Fujiwara: Let's do it!
Otani: Benjamin was a man of the 20th century, but in an era when we were thinking about how to unite the productive forces of countries and people, I wanted to reconsider that. So what he did was he started by collecting a lot of information about the customs of Paris (*1), the capital of the 19th century. That was very important, and the amount of information increased because of it. By the way, to put it in an extreme, the information we had up until that point was songs. In other words, you learn through songs. But in Paris in the 19th century, there was a lot of information coming in from other countries that they didn't know at all, and they had to react to it, so information became communication, or data. I'm talking about Baudelaire (*2) in order to talk about what we can do to maintain some kind of humanity under such circumstances.
*1 A time when the world's wealth was concentrated in Europe, Europe's wealth was concentrated in France, and France's wealth was concentrated in Paris.
*2 In his ``Passage Theory'', Benjamin places great importance on Baudelaire as the person who most embodies the 19th century.
Fujiwara: I see. This is when the attitude of a ``prowler'' who drifts among information appears.
Otani: In other words, he was saying that ``promenade'' is a modern thing. It's not easy to figure out how to connect that to the current story.
Fujiwara: Well, today's chat has a tentative theme of "promenade and blues," and I don't think it would be unreasonable to criticize Yoshio Otani with this, or in other words, it would be like throwing a brush at Kobo Daishi. It was. Still, I chose to bring this up because I am currently working on the `` Geki Quest'' part of the ``Honmoku Art Project 2014'' participation program, and I will be walking around Honmoku for research purposes. I've been walking around so much that I don't even know how many one-day bus passes I've bought. And I drink a lot of alcohol (lol). However, the more you walk, the more knowledge you gain and the more you ``understand'' it, but rather the more you understand it... I want you to do something about this situation...
Otani: I don't know! (lol)
Fujiwara: ...I'm just kidding, but in other words, I'm becoming more and more fascinated by the town. In other words, it gets swallowed up. Under such circumstances, I wanted to reconsider what the feeling of ``promenade'' was. I think it is particularly important that Benjamin clearly distinguishes between tourists and pedestrians in his Treatise on Passages. The tourist-like attitude of going around historical monuments like a stamp rally is not a leisurely stroll at all.
Otani: Yeah. Of course that's true, but when you think about how to walk around Honmoku, how realistically do you make people think that there was nothing in Honmoku around 1850?
Fujiwara: It seems that before the opening of Yokohama Port, it was quite rural.
Otani: But the concept of ``promenade'' is basically based on the arcades (=passages) of shopping malls that appeared in Paris in the 19th century. So, in Honmoku terms, it's because of Mycal Honmoku (*) .
*Mycal Honmoku is a large shopping complex that opened in 1989 at the height of the bubble economy. It also housed luxury brand boutiques such as Missoni and Hugo Boss, as well as high-end restaurants, and was also famous for its fountains and waterways. It has now closed and is now an AEON mall.
In other words, ``Passage Theory'' is about how to understand people who window shop in a city when walking around town. However, many people now take window shopping for granted. So, when we say "prowler" again, where do we walk? For example, is it a countryside or a city? I can imagine several stories (*1) . One of these ideas, Rousseau's idea of the Garden City (*2) , is implicitly included in Benjamin.
*1 To date, many works have been created with the theme of walking in Paris. His representative works include Rousseau's "Dreams of a Lonely Walker," Benjamin's "Passages," and Breton's "Nadja."
*2 Rousseau placed great importance on shedding the shell of civilization and regaining the state of being a natural person, even if only a little.
Fujiwara: You mean Rousseau as a "lonely walker," right?
Otani: Benjamin's ``Passage Theory'' is a critical successor to Rousseau's idea that ``human beings are returning to nature'' when walking through the countryside. Benjamin's point is that Rousseau's way of thinking may not work. And he had a hunch that it would be even more like that when he went to America, and from there that was our world.
Fujiwara: Do you mean America, which is an emerging capitalist society?
Otani: The ``promenade = solitary stroller'' that ``Passage Theory'' assumes is a complete quotation from Rousseau, and I think that people who read Benjamin at the time were naturally reading it based on Rousseau's story. . What would happen if Rousseau's The Stroller were set in 19th century Paris becomes very interesting.
benjamin and america
Otani: And Benjamin didn't go to America. There are limits to how Europe can interact with American things. For example, jazz music.
Fujiwara: Ah, that's where jazz appears on the other side.
Otani: Benjamin was in Europe from the 1920s to the 1940s and came up with something American. So I think there are limits to European thinking. As for what happened in America, Benjamin died without touching it. I loved America so much, but I will die without ever being able to go there. There's a disconnect there. Of course, if there had been a situation after he defected, some kind of development might have happened. (*)
*Benjamin is said to have committed suicide by poisoning himself in the Pyrenees mountains while fleeing from Nazi pursuers during World War II. Died in 1940.
That's why I think Benjamin was the last person to do some kind of work in Europe, and what came after Benjamin was America. He himself was unable to go to America due to the time difference. That's why it's easy to say things like "flagrant" now that they're over, but I try not to say it too much.
Fujiwara: Ah! I understand now.
It's true that I'm hesitant to use the word "promenade" lightly, and I don't think it's best to feel self-satisfied and intoxicated by it. Playwright Natsuki Ishigami and dramaturge Masakiko Ochi, who are teaming up for this "Geki Quest," have talked about the idea of not relying too much on the participants' own memories and introspections in the Honmoku edition. I'm doing it.
By the way, this may not matter much, but I have never been to America, and I have no desire to go there. I was wondering what this was...
Otani: I don't know about that, isn't it just a coincidence? (lol)
Fujiwara: No, it wasn't a coincidence. I don't really want to go there. The Cross-America Ultra Quiz is a thing of the past...
Otani: No, but I don't want to go anywhere, but if I'm told to go, I'll go.
Even though I don't want to go, I'm going to Colombia! (lol)
Fujiwara: When it comes to dreams of America, Kafka is also the same.
Otani: People in Europe can't go outside. ``I can't quit my job, I can't go on a trip somewhere'' is something Kafka's literature says, right?
Fujiwara: Something like “transformation”? Personally, I'm more interested in Kafka's unfinished story ``The Castle,'' because I think ``I should appear in it'' rather than ``I can't appear in it.'' When I was walking through Honmoku for research, I had a moment where I thought, wow, this is exactly what a castle is... Well, this story will be a spoiler, so I'll stop.
promenade and blues
Fujiwara: So, since this is part 2 of the series where I throw a brush against Kobo, I wanted to talk about "Blues" as well... Rather than giving a strict musical definition, I'd like to start the discussion in terms of a song that evokes a sense of melancholy.
For example, there is a song by The Golden Cups called ``Honmoku Blues,'' and ``Honmoku Fairy Tale,'' written by Yu Aku, is also a song that resonates with me. ``The girl who died in Honmoku turned into a seagull''... Also, Mina Aoe, who is famous for ``Isezakicho Blues,'' has a song called ``Honmoku Blues,'' and the lyrics to this song are amazing. "Who are you? This is Honmoku Blues~"...
Mina Aoe “Honmoku Blues”
Otani: Well, I'm repeating this, but the premise of ``promenade'' is the accumulation of capital in the city, to put it simply, it's window shopping in Paris. That is why, in ``Passage Theory,'' it is important to think about what the 19th century was like from the beginning of the 20th century. Therefore, America, which did not exist in history until the first half of the 20th century, naturally does not appear. And there's no way the blues will come out either.
That's why even when people called me ``Yuho and Blues,'' I thought there was no connection between them. In classical terms, it's like saying something like ``Murasaki Shikibu and Kamo no Nagaaki,'' and it makes you think, ``Those two are completely different!''
Fujiwara: You mean "The Tale of Genji and the Hojoki"!
Otani: And I don't think it's necessary to say "Yuho" either.
Fujiwara: Well, as for why I'm so particular about "promenades," as I said earlier, "Passage Theory" envisions promenades as different from tourists. I'm not trying to praise Benjamin's writings as if they're the same as Kinka-Tamajo, but I do feel that ``Geki Quest'' is a walk, not a sightseeing tour. As a result, it may be used for tourism and town revitalization, and I'm not denying its effectiveness.
It's up to the participants to decide what they feel when they go out into town for ``Geki Quest,'' but window shopping isn't the only field in which they wander. Paris in the 19th century was not only symbolized by wealth and goods, but also had dark, lewd, and questionable aspects. That's why I think the field of walking can be in the city, the suburbs, the sea, the mountains, or the countryside. If you can free your senses and see and feel various things. There's no need to worry about your companions. Basically, I recommend walking alone. This may be partly inherited from Rousseau, the ``lonely walker.'' I think that solitude is the last freedom humans are allowed.
Master: I was finally able to defrost the turban shell. For now, just try eating it as is. It has a good taste.
Fujiwara: Oh, I did it.
Otani: Ah, this goes well with sake.
Otani: Isn't it dangerous to eat so much turban liver?
Master: Hahaha (lol)
Fujiwara: The scent of the ocean is really nice!
Otani: (To the master) We were just talking about something quite troublesome, but I'm starting to feel like it doesn't really matter anymore (lol).
Fujiwara: I said "Benjamin Benjamin" so much that it started to sound like some kind of spell... (lol) I wonder if there are people who say "Yuhou" like this?
Otani: If you say that, no one is talking about Charlie Parker's descending line being a 5th line, that's not a big deal... (lol)
Fujiwara: Hehe. By the way, I would like to use this chat to promote the Honmoku Art Project, but what is the ``Honmoku Night'' curated by Mr. Otani like?
Otani: Ah, we don't have time anymore. Now, I want to go home and check my email as soon as possible.
Fujiwara: Huh? ! No, let's drink today.
Otani: No, I'm going home! (lol)
Fujiwara: Let's have some more drinks~
Otani: Ah, Master, we're going to have a live show at the old movie theater in Honmoku from November 22nd to 24th, so I'll bring you a flyer next time. There are also some Hamajil dances with live music lessons.
Fujiwara: For three days, each night will be different, with special guests including Naruyoshi Kikuchi on the first day... You can even jump from "Geki Quest" to "Honmoku no Yoru"!
Master: Oh, before you leave, please give me your autograph. I'll display it in the store.
Otani/Fujiwara: Eh, are you serious?
Two people signing autographs
Mr. Fujiwara was dumped by Mr. Otani and disappeared to a certain bar in Honmoku, but he was already confused and didn't even remember signing his autograph.
complete
Here is the menu we received this time.
And today's recommendation is
*Pork liver
This is also recommended, not only on Thursdays.
《Store information》
First Suzukiya Liquor Store
28-11 Honmakihara, Naka-ku, Yokohama City
TEL: 045-622-8340
Business hours: around 12:00-19:00
Regular holidays: Irregular holidays
Access: 3 minutes walk from Honmakihara stop of Yokohama Municipal Bus
Second standing bar Yamashizu
2-313-7 Honmokucho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 1F
TEL: 045-621-9855
Business hours: 17:00-24:00
Closed: Monday
Access: 3 minutes walk from Yokohama Municipal Bus Kominato
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