Itabashi Ward and Kanazawa City are firmly connected, aren’t they? I found this out on this walk.
A number of measures to prevent flooding of the Shakujii River
The high embankment of the Shakujii River
As I passed through the Otonashi Water Park, I saw a high embankment on my left. It seems to be twice as tall as a person, which means that the water might be 3 meters deep when it floods. It’s scary.
Kikuchi Takeo’s Shoes
I’ve heard of “Takeo Kikuchi’s shoes” somewhere before. I guess they are shoes for women. It says “by appointment only,” so I guess they take the time to give you a detailed consultation. I’d like to give them to someone special someday.
A radio wave level meter?
I guess it is a radio wave level meter to measure the height of the water surface. When I turned to the right, I saw “KEIKI” written on the display, so it was made by Tokyo Keiki. The company name used to be TOKIMEC.
Four ducks can be seen below. If you pass underneath them, the water level you are measuring may go up in a flash.
Otonashi Momiji Green Space
This is the Otonashi Momiji Green Space. The scenery is soothing. But the original purpose of the space was to avoid flooding, right? I think the reason why everything I see on my walk is related to flood control is because there are so many floods.
The Yatsu Dai Kannon
On the other side of the river, the Yatsu Dai Kannon appeared.
The greenish-blue color of the statue reminded me of its history, but it seemed to have been built less than ten years ago.
I wondered what the tulip-like Buddhist implement in his hand was for.
Sakura Namiki
There are many cherry blossoms planted along the banks of rivers such as the Shakujii River and the Kanda River.
It will be cherry blossom season in a month or so. I would love to walk along the river and take pictures of the beautiful flowers.
The Relationship between Itabashi Ward and the Kaga-Maeda Family
Kaga Park
Not long after passing under the Saikyo Line, I saw a Kaga Park with a nice elevation change, so I decided to stop by.
Monument to the site of the former residence of the Kaga Maeda family
This used to be the site of the Kaga-Maeda family’s Shimoyashiki. Yashiki is a residence in Japanese.
The old Nakasendo highway runs near here. The Naka-yashiki (around Rikugien in Honkomagome 6-chome) and Kamiyashiki (around the University of Tokyo in Hongo) are also located near the old Nakasendo. I guess the theory was to place the residences in order along the highway.
I read that Itabashi Ward and Kanazawa City have concluded a friendship exchange city agreement. This is understandable when you know that there was such a vast suburban residence.
According to the signboard, the Kaga clan used the water flow of the Shakujii River to manufacture cannons at the end of the Edo period. Also, in the Meiji era (1868-1912), they manufactured gunpowder as the Itabashi Gunpowder Manufactory.
Ballistic test tube target remains
I found the remains of a target to test the performance of that ammunition!
Bullets fired with different types and amounts of gunpowder passed through a ballistic test tube, a device that observes velocity and other factors, and were launched at this target.
Site of Itabashi Gunpowder Factory
Climbing up to the top of the target, you can clearly see the former site of the Itabashi Gunpowder Factory, which is now the Noguchi Laboratory.
The earthen pipe on the left is a ballistic test tube with an inner diameter of 686mm. There are also earthen mounds and buildings left in their original form. It is a precious heritage.
Incidentally, the Noguchi Laboratory was founded by Noguchi Shitagau, the founder of Japan Nitrogenous Fertilizer, who is said to be the son of a Kaga clan samurai.
Lantern
Returning to the Shakujiigawa River, I found a lantern that looked familiar.
It has two legs, so it definitely reminds me of the Kotojitoro in Kenrokuen.
However, if they were going to imitate the original lantern, I would have liked them to put one of the legs on a stone or make the base of the leg like a mortise and tenon joint.
Reference: Photo taken at Kotojitoro, May 2015
For reference, here is the original Kotojitoro.
Itabashi
I am now in Itabashi. The old Nakasendo road passes over Itabashi.
Hikawa Fishing Pond Park
After crossing the Ikebukuro Route 5 of the Metropolitan Expressway, the Hikawa Fishing Pond Park appears.
If you bring your own live bait (paste bait is prohibited), they will lend you a rod.
Among the fish you can catch are tanago. Tanago fishing is also known as daimyo fishing, so next time I come here, I might try fishing as if I were Maeda’s lord.
Walking data
Course: JR Keihin Tohoku Line Oji Station -> Shakujii River -> Tobu Tojo Line Naka Itabashi Station
Distance: 6.4km
Time: 1h46m
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