Behind Nishiyama Sweets stands an old kura (storehouse).
It has endured for more than a century, surviving both the Great Kanto Earthquake and the wartime air raids without being destroyed.
Inside this kura, a number of historical items that tell the story of earlier times have been carefully preserved.
We would like to introduce them to you little by little.
Hanten (Work Jacket)
Likely from the Meiji period or earlier. The back bears our shop’s original family crest, used since its founding.
The crest, known as “Masu ni Kagibō”, represents a measuring box (masu) and a leveling rod used when measuring grains.
Memorandum Book
Business notes written by Nishiyama Shokichi, the second-generation proprietor.
Street Tales (Ansei Era)
A collection of booklets recording curious stories, incidents, and rumors from the Ansei period. Seven volumes remain.
Town Fire Brigade Illustrations & Family Crests
A small illustrated reference book depicting the standards (matoi) and attire of Edo-period town fire brigades, along with various family crests.
“On Earthquakes” (Kawaraban Broadsheet)
A printed kawaraban (news sheet). Before the mid-Edo period, it was believed that earthquakes were caused by the movement of dragons. This print depicts dragons surrounding Japan.
Inrō (Portable Case)
A small, metal case divided into six compartments. It is fitted with a cord and a netsuke carved in the shape of a dragon.