How did Shinjuku develop? Why was Uguisudani (Nightingale Valley) so called? What was with all the horses in Komagome? Is the Ame in Ameyoko the abbreviation for Americans? What is Kabukicho's connection with Kabuki?
If you've any interest in the history of the geography of Tokyo--how areas developed, where they got their names, what kind of people lived where and why--then you really have to read Footloose in Tokyo: the Curious Traveler's Guide to the 29 Stages of the Yamanote Line by Jean Pearce. If, like me, you are madly in love with the city at the moment, you should leave your office or your house right now and go buy it. It's that good.
To deliberately use a much over-used cliche, this book a joy to read.
Posted by Setsunai at January 28, 2004 11:27 AM | TrackBackAs a serious birder please allow me to make one correction: "Uguisu" is actually not a nightingale. It is a Bush Warbler, (Cettia diphone), a greenish-brown passarine bird with a distinctive white eye band above the eyes. It typically hides deep in the bushes, from the lowlands up into the mountains, particularly amidst bamboo grass. It sings only during the day, but is among the first birds to wake in the morning and last to become silent in the evening. It's call is very distinctive, a loud, liquid "H-o-o-kko'kkekk-y-o-o!".
Posted by: butuki at January 28, 2004 1:54 PM | Permalink to CommentButuki, I stand corrected. Thanks.
Posted by: Setsunai at January 28, 2004 3:38 PM | Permalink to CommentWhat you mean I have to buy it?
Posted by: Roland at January 28, 2004 5:07 PM | Permalink to CommentDon't rule it out. I remember once being asked to write a book on famous burial mounds in Ireland so that Japanese tourists could improve the quality of their tourism instead of just flocking to the Pradas and the Louis Vittons. So, you may well have to pal. Anything is possible.
Posted by: Setsunai at January 28, 2004 5:44 PM | Permalink to Comment