
What does NagatachÅ mean?
Nagata-chÅ is to Japan what Washington DC or Downing Street are to the US and UK. Go #metonym power! Continue reading What does NagatachÅ mean?
Nagata-chÅ is to Japan what Washington DC or Downing Street are to the US and UK. Go #metonym power! Continue reading What does NagatachÅ mean?
Umayabashi is not the most famous bridge in TÅkyÅ by a long shot, but it does have an interesting story and etymology. Continue reading What does Umayabashi mean?
Talk about flogging a dead horse. I found another horse-related place name in Setagaya.. but this time with hookers and blow! Continue reading What does Baji KÅen mean?
There are a cluster of places names related to horses in Setagaya and I want to get to the bottom of it! Continue reading Setagaya and its Freaky Horse Fetish
ç蟌 Ushigome (Crowd of Cows) ã ã ç ushi cow 蟌 komi[i] swarming, huddling, amassed, crowded, âin bulkâ ã According to Japanese Wikipedia[ii], in 701, in accordance to the TaihÅ Code, a livestock ranch was established in this area. In fact, two were established which were sometimes referred to as çç§ gyÅ«maki a cow ranch and éŠ¬ç§ umamaki a horse ranch. These two locations came to be referred to as ç蟌 Ushigome and é§èŸŒ Komagome. The fact that there was a cattle/dairy ranch here in the Asuka Period is a known fact (itâs documented). The horse ranch is a different … Continue reading What does Ushigome mean?
Komagome is on the Yamanote Line. Besides that and the etymology, that’s about all I know about this part of town. Continue reading What does Komagome mean?
What do a 200 year old whiskey and monkey powered jet packs have to do with each other? Nothing!
Today will dig a little deeper into the seemingly related Meguro and Mejiro. All I can tell you now is that it doesn’t end well. Continue reading What does Mejiro mean?
Takadanobaba is a long-ass name. A long-ass SAMURAI name. Let’s find out what the hell Takadanobaba means. Continue reading What does Takadanobaba mean?