Hibachi

             Hibachi, a charcoal brazier which I found in Jikouin Temple. 


It was a very common heater in my childhood. Every Japanese family had it until around 1960. We put burnt charcoals in the ash of Hibachi and warmed rooms. A Hibachi did not have enough power to warm a whole room but I do not have memories that I felt cold in our house when I was a child. Square floor cushions were placed around a Hibachi where family got together spending time.

Soon Hibachi was replaced with an oil heater, and now an oil fan heater or an air conditioner is common. I enjoy something nostalgic with these photos, today.


Spring is just around the corner. Take care not to have a cold, my friends!                 
                          I am linking to Sunlit Sunday
                                          
                                            Until next time
                                            Green Tomato
                            
         

The Kitchen of The Nation

               

The Osaka City Central Public Hall.

  Completed in 1918.

This building, which was built in a time that Osaka city was a busy commercial center, still remains in Nakanoshima 

Osaka. 

This hall demonstrates the level of modernization of Osaka at that time. Now this building is used for concerts,meetings and expositions.

                                              
"Kitchen of the Nation"is the nickname given to the city of  Osaka. Osaka was  central commercial district in the Edo period (1603-1868). Many goods and vegetables were loaded on ships and sent from here to many places all over Japan. For this reason, Osaka was known as "the Kitchen of the Nation".

                                      

                                                     Nakanoshima Park

This place"Nakanoshima"used to be a sand-bar which stretched 3 kilometers from east to west.
About twenty bridges span the two rivers surrounding Nakanoshima. Now some bridges are under the new highways, but they are still used. Some are for pedestrians only. The city is still the second largest for commercial activity in Japan.

                   　         Bank of Japan Osaka Branch.
　　　　　　　　　　　　    　    Completed in 1903.

                                                     

                    On the mailbox it says,Letters unite the world.

Osaka is 30 kilometers west of Nara where I live.
It was a day that I walked around to look for traces of history in the business district with my camera. It is fun! What I found is just a part of what remains. I could find more here! 
                        
                                 Until next time, everyone!                                                         
                                         Green Tomato