A long-established record shop in downtown Tokyo, with the influence of the new corona, the history of about 70 years

Tokyo where the state of emergency continues.

The influence extends to the famous stores in downtown, which have been loved for many years.

A long-established record shop in Koto Ward, which was famous for mini concerts by fledgling enka singers, closed at the end of last month due to a decrease in sales, and the history of about 70 years has come to an end.

The store was closed at "Tenseido", a long-established record store in Kameido, Koto-ku.

Founded in 1950, this store specializes in mini-concerts by fledgling enka singers and the sale of records and CDs by hand. Fuyumi Sakamoto, George Yamamoto, and Kiyoshi Hikawa also held concerts at the time of their debut. It was also known as "the gateway to the singer".

The appearance of a singer standing on a wooden box stage and a regular customer sitting on a pipe chair and cheering became a familiar sight in the local area, and it is said that until about 20 years ago, the store was so lively that customers overflowed.

As time went on, the scenery of the city changed, but Tenseido has maintained its traditional appearance and business style, and has continued to provide a place for interaction between more than 100 enka singers and regular customers every year. I did.

However, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, mini-concerts have not been held since February last year, and sales have dropped significantly.

The second-generation owner, Kosuke Sanbongi (81) and his wife, Katsuko (78), wanted to protect the store as long as their physical strength continued, but decided to close the store amid uncertainties due to the spread of infection. It was.

On the 31st of last month, which was the last business day, enka singers and regular customers who once held concerts visited one after another, and they missed the goodbye to the famous stores in downtown.

Then, when Mr. and Mrs. Sanbongi went out of the store at 6 pm when the store was closed, regular customers gave a voice of "Thank you" and applause, and "Tenseido" was watched by the locals for about 70 years. The curtain has come to an end in the history of.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanbongi said, "There were good times and bad times, but I've been doing well for two generations for 70 years. It was encouraging for the enka singer to fly to the first-class stage from here, and because it's enka, the audience I think that the connection with the company has deepened. I am full of gratitude to everyone. "

Enka singer and regular customers who regret parting

Before the store closed, "Tenseido" was filled with enka singers and many regular customers who had been there for many years, and spent their time as they wished.

Inside the store, autographed colored paper and posters of more than 100 enka singers who have held mini concerts are pasted all over the wall.

Ryoko Akiyama, one of the enka singers who rushed to hear the closing of the store and has been with Mr. and Mrs. Sanbongi for 40 years, looked nostalgic when he found his own signature colored paper that he wrote about 20 years ago. It was.

Mr. Akiyama said, "I have been supporting me since I was a high school student. Every time I visited, the regular customers warmly welcomed me with a" Welcome back ", and I can do my best because there is this place. Mr. and Mrs. Sanbongi I would like to say thank you for taking great care of Enka. It was an important hometown of downtown, full of humanity. "

Also, in the store, you can see regular customers casually talking to the enka singer, and the memories of Mr. and Mrs. Sanbongi blooming and weeping, each spending a time unique to "Tenseido". It was.

An 80-year-old woman who is a regular customer said, "I was kind to the couple, so I thought I had to see the end. It was the best to see Kiyoshi Hikawa's concert at the time of her debut with her grandchildren. It was a troublesome place for me if I didn't have it. It's lonely to close the store. "

Also, a 78-year-old man who had been attending since he was 20 said, "I am grateful for our generation to handle cassette tapes, and I always came once a month. A place of memories of my youth. However, I feel that the enjoyment of life will be lost. "

Long-established stores in downtown are closed one after another due to the influence of corona

Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, long-established stores in downtown Tokyo are closing one after another.

The restaurant "Kawajin" near "Shibamata Taishakuten" in Katsushika Ward is a long-established restaurant founded in the Edo period, known for appearing in the movie "Otoko wa Tsuraiyo", but closed at the end of last month for about 230 years. The curtain has come to the history of.

In the past, many groups and tourists visited to enjoy dishes made with the famous eel and koi, but the number of customers has dropped sharply due to the spread of the infection, and sales since April last year have been half of the previous year. It means that I was depressed below.

Also, also founded in the Edo period, "Kappo Musashiya" near "Nishiarai Daishi" in Adachi Ward closed at the end of September last year.

There is a banquet hall that can accommodate 200 people, and it has been popular not only with worshipers but also with local residents for many years, but it is said that sales have fallen due to the spread of the infection and the future is uncertain.

On the other hand, "Atami" in Arakawa Ward, which was founded in 1918, decided to close at the end of this month, but local residents have been calling for survival, and now the scale is being reduced. It means that we are looking for ways to continue business.