Winter Light 冬の光

December 21 will be the longest night of the year. The sun rises low in the south east and sets low in the south west. The buildings and streets of old Shimabara were planned with this in mind. The curvature of Kinse's roof, the height of the building, and the width of the street and front garden ensure that light reaches the whole facade of the houses across the street.

The map above shows the old plan of Hanayacho in Shimabara. The street diagram shows the light angle.

From the Great Gate to Sumiya, Hanayacho was once twice as wide as it is now. The southern half of the street was mostly gardens and cherry trees. The northern half (today's existing street) was open road. All along the gardens there were free standing lanterns. This garden and lantern pattern on the southern side of Hanayacho can now only be seen in Kinse's design and the design of an old ochaya near the Great Gate. Several new buildings are built so high and so close to the street that the old houses on the north side of the street are cloaked in perpetual shadow. During this season, it must be cold to live in such a place.

The drawing is a copy of a photograph from Meiji 10 (1878). Please note the line of gardens, cherry trees, and lanterns along the south side of Hanayacho. Next time you see Kinse, look for the front garden and old lantern.


Winter Light 冬の光

１２月２１日は年の一番長い夜です。太陽は東南で上がって西南で沈みます。島原の昔の建築者はその事と考えながら街を建てました。向かいの家のみちぞいの面は明るいのようにきんせのやねもたても道のはばも前の庭のはばも建てました。

この地図で昔の島原の花屋町を見て下さい。次で光の角の絵があります。

大門から角屋まで花屋町は今にくれべて昔は二倍広いですよ。南の半分はほとんど庭と桜の木でした。北の半分は今の道です。昔の庭で提灯が立てました。今その昔の庭と提灯のかたは大門の近くのお茶屋ときんせだけで守っています。もと最近なビルはとても高くても道の近くてもにあるから向かいの家はいつも陰にあります。こん何に寒い季節でその家は寒そうだね！

この絵は明治１０年の写真から書きました。昔の花屋町の庭と桜と提灯を見て下さい。次のきんせに来る時にきんせの前の庭と提灯探してください。