【Adult Mystery Hunter】 Nostalgic Celluloid Doll and Steam Locomotive Discovered in Tatsunuma
Interesting information reached me.
In the Tatsunuma area of Adachi-ku, it means that it is nostalgic for older people, and for young people it is possible to see "rare things" that felt fresh.
Although Tatsunuma may be an area that is not familiar to people without land intuition, is there such a thing that such age and young man is pleased with ...?
Okay, let's go to Tatsunuma in order to see "rare things"!
Mr. Hirai, the last celluloid doll maker in the country
Celluloid doll maker Mr. Eiichi Hirai
I fluttered the place where it is supposed to have "rare things" based on information, but I can not find anything like that.
Since I can relieve himself from roaming in the residential area, I dare to attack the house with "around". Then, someone who seemed kind also responded, so I relaxed my heart cautiously.
While I continued my conversation, I found out, but this person was Eiichi Hirai who is the last celluloid doll craftworker in Japan ...!
Celluloid is one of synthetic resins and is the first thermoplastic resin to be artificially.
Because it is easy to form, it was used for various things such as ping-pong balls, toys, animation sheets, so-called "cell picture".
In the 1950s and 1930s, celluloid toys such as dolls spread in Japan, and many production factories existed mainly in the Katsushika Ward and Adachi Ward.
I, "Why are you still making celluloid dolls?"
Mr. Hirai "The celluloid dolls were at their best in the latter half of the 1950s and in the 1930s, Hirai Toy Manufactory mainly produced toys, soft vinyl and vinyl chloride toys penetrated, My father and I stopped making celluloid dolls, after that I was mainly making lucky items such as sea breams attached to the rake, but as I thought once again The desire to make a doll has become stronger. "
Celluloid doll production scenery
I "However, even if I make it, was not it strict as a business?"
Mr. Hirai "It was actually the Internet that changed such a situation, I was still using the Internet from the era of dial-up connection with Windows 95. I think that it is around 2002, but the nation love of dolls I posted "Celluloid Doll Mico" that I made, with a gathering BBS (bulletin board), and there was a big reaction. "
I am "Did you use the internet from such a time!"
Ms. Hirai "Currenthome pageAlso I made it myself at that time, I have written blog every day for more than 15 years (laugh). With the Internet, we were able to tell the charm of celluloid dolls to everyone in the whole country that had never had contacts so far. Even now, there are about 10 to 15 orders per month. "
I am "I revived because old dolls took advantage of the latest tools"
Mr. Hirai "The keyword" nostalgic and new "is always included in business cards, etc. However, we have put in the meaning that we were able to resurrect the old ones at the latest Internet at that time.The current" Mieko "is a colorful Although I was wearing various clothes in the beginning, it was naked at first, I thought that I wanted to put on clothes somehow fitting the size of "Mieko." Even though I could not find it easily, , Making clothes now "Secret gardenHe also met on the Internet. "
I "It was dramatic that the Internet connected the people of the nation's doll enthusiast with the celluloid doll that was born more than 50 years ago and was extinct!"
Mr. Hirai "I'd write today's interview on my blog (laugh)"
A state of blog management
>> Hirai Toy Manufactory "Celluloid · Dream" Website from here
A mysterious station in the residential area ... ....?
Adachi Steam Locomotive Museum Entrance
I was surprised that there was only one celluloid doll maker in Japan in such a residential area, but the story concerning Celluloid doll Mico kept loved against the flow of the times is also emotional.
Imagine the sight that children played with celluloid toys during the Showa 2 - 30 's, and then left Hirai Toy Store.
When heading to the place of another "rare thing" said to be in Tatsunuma, there is a station signboard for some reason in a peaceful residential area anywhere.
There is written "Adachi steam locomotive building".
There is no doubt "unusual thing" is this! Let's solve the mystery immediately.
When entering, mini SL is displayed in front of you.
Although the size is small, SL has been reproduced spectacularly in detail, and it seemed to me that he became a giant somehow.
When I was talking to Mr. Noda Mori who is the director, this "Aid steam locomotive building" opened in April 2013.
"The hotel displays nine live steams (locomotives that actually run with coal) and five battery cars, all of which were created by my father, and my father made all kinds of things I liked electricity, I was good at electrical system because I was doing electricity work.If I thought that I could ride after locomotive building I thought that I could ride myself, reading books and studying myself, using various materials When I bought it, I stayed in the warehouse all day.The first live steam was completed in Showa 37 '(Mr. Noda)
Mini-SLs in "Adachi Steam Locomotive Building" were produced by Mr. Nada's father who is the whole director ... ...!
Moreover, it is ridiculous because it actually runs on the railroad track.
The train car was also featured in a feature of the magazine
"When I was a child, I took a railway about 50 meters on the road in front of my house, and I was on a live steam my father had made (laugh) Then people gathered from my neighborhood, so I I was still in elementary school first grade, but I was driving a live steam and was carrying people.Father made 40 live steam and battery car over 50 years.Father now my father is 92 Although it is years old, I began thinking to leave it like this for 15 years or so before I was called to an event etc. and there were things to put children on, but depending on the weather , Transport was also serious, I thought that I would like to be able to exhibit and drive at all times, and opened the hotel "(Mr. Noda)
A book the father used at that time
The completed train
As live steam sometimes uses coal, Mr. Norita himself has never run before so he says that he can enjoy at the same building as a battery car.
Also on the second floor valuable goods related to steam locomotives such as coins, stamps and cards collected by Mr. Narita are displayed.
"We decided to collect things related to the steam locomotive so that visitors can enjoy it. Originally coins and stamps were collected individually, but if there are unusual items you can purchase at auction, There are also a few overseas, but there were many cases where neighbors visited for about a year and a half after opening the store, but I thought that I would like people of all countries who like steam locomotives to come even more, Nowadays, people who visit from afar are increasing, and the number of browsing blogs has also increased to 200 to 300. "(Mr. Narita)
Coins on trains are also displayed
It is exactly the same as Mr. Hirai that it sent out the charm of the steam locomotive to the people all over the country and to communicate with the steam locomotor lovers.
Another "rare thing" in Tatsunuma was "Aida Steam Locomotive Building" where you can experience a steam locomotive that can not be easily touched.
>> Adwords Steam locomotive building blogs from here
※Please see blog for access information and opening hours.
Showa Retro is a remarkable city, Tatsunuma
Although I was born in the Showa era, because of the late Showa, there were few opportunities to actually touch steam locomotives and celluloid dolls. However, in Tatsunuma, there was still a person, a cot person who colored the era, and it was still quite lively.
In this survey, I felt very nostalgic feeling and at the same time I strongly felt that I would like to have this "culture and history" born in the Showa era in 10 years and 100 years.
Mr. Hirai and Mr. Noda are never young, but the common point of using the internet to disseminate to the whole country is also interesting because of the hot feeling of "I want to convey more charm."
Tatsunuma was a town where the Showa retro that draws attention from the whole country remained.