Cinema on the planet
003 – Mariko Tsujimoto
Short trip to Takada
魅惑の映画都市・東京では毎週どこかで映画祭に特集上映、いつもお祭りみたいだから、旅に出たい気持ちはあるけれど、何ヶ月も山手線の外にすら出ないこともしばしば。
そんなある日、遅まきながら気がついた。映画を観るために旅に出れば、旅も映画も楽しめて一石二鳥では?! 2月の週末、東京駅から北陸新幹線に乗った。
In the movie-metropolis Tokyo, film festivals and special screenings are held every week as if every day is a special day. Therefore, even though I wish to go on a trip, I often stay inside of Yamanote-line, the center of Tokyo, for months.
One day, I finally realized. If I go on a trip to see a movie, I can fulfill my desire to go on a trip and watch a movie at the same time! On the weekend in February, I got on Hokuriku-bullet train from Tokyo station, to the north.
上越妙高駅でキュートな名前のローカル線・えちごトキめき鉄道に乗り換え。久しぶりに紙の切符を買い、ホームに降りると…。
I transferred at Joetsu-Myoko Station to the local line with a cute name, Echigo-Tokimeki line. I bought a paper-printed train ticket first time in a while, then I stepped out to the platform…
目の前にどーんと冬山！ のんびりしたスピードの２両編成の電車で２駅。
There’s snow covered mountains right in front of my eyes! The ride was on two-car train in relaxed speed, only 2 stations away.
新潟県上越市、高田駅に到着。駅舎は「城下町」「東京駅駅舎」のイメージのハイブリッド・デザイン。
Arrived at Takada Station in Joetsu City, Niigata prefecture. The station is a hybrid of “castle town” and “Tokyo Station building” designs.
「２月」「新潟」のキーワードに怯えつつも、東京での服装に１枚足す程度の装備で来たけれど、気温高めの日でひとまず安堵。道端に雪製灯篭がいくつも。
Though I was afraid of the words like “February” and “Niigata”, only one more layer was added on my regular wardrobe in Tokyo. I was relieved as it was a nice day. Many snow lanterns on the street.
駅から目的地まで約10分、雪に足をとられて進めません！という非常事態を妄想していたので拍子抜け。人影は少なく、心細くて薬局の前で猫を撮った。駅からまっすぐ歩き、ひとつ角を曲がると目的地に。
It was only 10 minutes walk from station. I imagined snow would be a major obstacle to walk, but it was somewhat a letdown. Street was empty and lonely, so I took a photo of a cat in front of a pharmacy. Walk straight from station and turn at a corner.
到着！ 日本最古級の映画館、高田世界館。エジプシャン・シアターもびっくりのSince1911 !
Arrived! The oldest movie theater in Japan, Takada Sekaikan (means “Takada World Theater”), open since 1911, even older than the Egyptian Theatre.
とっておきの映画がかかる時に行こうと決めていた、とっておきの映画がかかった！ 濱口竜介監督『ハッピーアワー』３部構成、休憩含め６時間も高田世界館の中にいられる！
I determined to come here when special movie is screened, and the time has come! Happy Hour directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, all its 3 parts will be played so I can stay in this theater for over 6 hours including intermissions!
いざ、中へ。東京で早めにチケット確保する癖がついており、上映1時間前に着いたら整理番号3番だった。勇み足。
Go inside. Due to my habit of buying ticket early in Tokyo, I got there 1 hour before the screening time, and noticed that I was the 3rd person to be there. Woops, too early.
上映までの時間、商店街をぶらぶら。亀田冷菓店、気になる。アイスクリーム屋？ かき氷？
Until screening, I strolled around the arcade. Kameda frozen dessert… I wonder, ice cream or shaved ice?
ほとんど人とすれ違わないと思っていたら、空き店舗めぐりツアーのお知らせが。
Almost no other people was in sight, then I found a flyer for a tour of vacant retail spaces.
雪よけのアーケードは「雁木（がんぎ）」と呼ばれ、雪深い地域の名物とのこと。
The arcade with snow cover is called Gangi, a well known in deep snow area.
上映時間が近づき、高田世界館に戻る。正面に「高田日活」の文字が剥がれた跡を発見。芝居小屋として誕生後、常設映画館になり、東宝、松竹、日活など運営を変えながら生きながらえ廃業。その後、街なか映画館再生委員会がNPO法人認定され、現在まで営業が続いている。
Time was approaching, so I went back to Takada Sekaikan. I found a trace of “Takada Nikkatsu” letters on the front. Originally opened as a playhouse, Takada Sekaikan became a permanent movie theater. It survived through operation changes by different studios such as Toho, Shochiku, and Nikkatsu – then eventually closed its door. Later, Machinaka Movie Theater Restoration Committee was formed and approved as NPO, contributing reopen effort and has kept operation to this day.
2階建て木造洋風建築は国の登録有形文化財や近代化産業遺産に認定。
The two-story western style wooden building was qualified as a registered tangible cultural property and heritage industrial modernization.
上映室の扉が開き、いざ、館内へ！
Screening room’s door is now open!
入口近くに、大きなストーブが２台。はあ、暖かい…。
There are two big heaters near the entrance. It’s so warm…
デザインに華美さはなく、さすがに年季も入っているものの、重い赤の尾籠度、控えめに随所にある曲線が美しい。後方に座る観客が多いのは、ストーブに近いというシンプルな理由、と後で思い知ることになる…。
Theater design is far from being gorgeous and worn out as expected, but heavy red velour and humbly placed curves have quaint beauty. The reason why many audience sit in the back, is simply to be close to the heaters. I learned my lesson later on…
特筆すべきは木組みの天井！ 八角形は末広がりを意識してのデザインだろうか。直線と曲線が混じり和洋折衷の趣あり。
Notable detail is the ceiling with wooden framework! I wonder if octagon design is for lucky number 8 to increase success (traditional meaning). The combination of straight lines and curves seem to be a cross between Japanese and Western styles.
いつもの癖で３列目通路寄りに座ると、通路脇にヒーターがあった。さすが北国の気遣い！ けれど古い木造建築ならではの肌寒さ、ヒーターでは暖まりきらず終始コートを毛布代わりにしながら観た。チケットはアメリカンレトロなデザイン。手書きの新聞でラインナップを観ると、東京ではミニシアターでかかりそうなタイトルばかり。
As a habit I sit in the end of third row, and found a heater on the aisle. That’s the kindness of snow country. But still very chilly, distinctive of the wooden architecture, so I used my coat as a blanket the whole time I was watching. Ticket is American retro style. I checked the hand-written flyer, the programming is similar to that of small arthouse theaters in Tokyo.
２度の休憩はロビー探検。レトロさとミニシアターらしさが混じり合う不思議空間。
Exploration in lobby during second intermission. Strange mixture of arthouse theater and nostalgia.
テーブル代わりに使われているのは、懐かしのゲーム台！
A classic arcade game machine is used as a table!
『ハッピーアワー』は３度目の鑑賞。主人公たちとの再会は、旅先でばったり懐かしい同級生に会い、観光もそっちのけに喫茶店で話しこみ、ふと時計を見るとすっかり夜、あわてて別れてお互いの人生に幸多からんことを祈る、そんな時間だった。物語の外に出ると、高田世界館の雁木に灯りが。ぐっと気温が下がり、北にいることを肌で思い知る。
This was my third time watching Happy Hour. Reunion with the characters resembled to running into old classmate by chance on a trip; forget about sightseeing and talk for hours at coffee shop, then notice it’s dark outside and say goodbye in a rush, wish for each other’s best of luck for rest of our lives. When I went outside, coming back from the story, Takada Sekaikan’s snow cover’s lights were on. Temperature has gone down, reminded me that I’m in north.
さすがに日帰りはせず、眠って目覚めると、前日の蒼天が嘘のように視界はグレー。
It was too late to go back to Tokyo. When I woke up next day, the sky was gray as if yesterday’s blue sky was a dream.
高田公園まで散歩。慎ましいサイズの高田城、新しいな…と思えば、焼失した後、平成５年に建て直したものだそう。そのせいか、お城というよりお城のプラモデルのようだった。
I walked to Takada park. The modest-sized Takada castle seemed to be very new, which I learned that it was rebuilt in 1995 after the original burned down. Because of that, it was like a plastic model more than a castle.
雪に馴染みのない私には、お城より公園に積もるふかふかした雪に心が躍る。桜の名所だそうで、高田を訪れるのは春が正解かもしれない。
For someone not familiar with snow, fluffy snow in the park was more exciting than castle. Since Takada is famous with cherry blossom, spring might be the best season to visit.
雪除けのしつらえが目に楽しく、公園のウサギは、なんだか勇ましいポーズ。
I enjoyed watching snow protection. Rabbit seems very brave here.
居酒屋やスナックが並ぶ一帯にある料亭宇喜世へ。江戸末期からの歴史があり、敷居が高そうな門構えだけれど、お昼なら大丈夫。
Traditional Japanese restaurant “Ukiyo” is in the area surrounded by Izakaya and hostess bars. Opened in Edo period, it has more than 150 years of history thus could be felt too prestigious, but lunch is more accessible.
窓際の席、こんなお庭を眺めながら。
By the window, looking at the view.
蟹釜飯、炊きたて！ 米どころ、美味しくないはずがない。隣席の上越マダムたちが映画の前売りを買うかどうか話しあっているのが聞こえてくる。高田世界館はミニシアターのラインナップだけれど、他にシネコンもあるのだろうか。
I had crab Kamameshi, the rice cooked in a pot with crab. This area is famous rice producing region, so of course it’s good! I hear local ladies’ conversation from next table, discussing whether or not buying advance tickets. Takada Sekaikan programs arthouse type of movies, so there may be multi-plex near by.
お会計をして振り返ると、門に達磨がたくさん。調べると新藤兼人監督「縮図」（1953年）は高田が舞台で、料亭宇喜世もロケ地として使われたらしい。そして数年前、高田世界館で上映されたのだとか。タイミング良く、旅先の映画館でその街で撮られた映画を観られたなら、最高だろうな！
After I paid my bill, I looked behind my shoulder and found painting with many bodhidharma. I learned Takada was a shooting location for the movie Epitome (1953) directed by Kaneto Shindo, and this restaurant “Ukiyo” was also used. It was screened at Takada Sekaikan few years ago. If I could watch a movie shot in that location when I travel, that would be just fantastic.
駅に直行し、高田にさようなら。
Go straight to station, and say goodbye to Takada.
上越妙高駅で発見した小竹の笹だんごパン。米粉配合パンの中に、笹だんごが丸ごと入ってる！ 小竹のパンは上越ご当地パンなのか、高田世界館でも売られてた。パンダのパッケージが可愛く、お土産にもぴったり。
高田は小ぢんまりと歩きやすい、渋い城下町。さっと降りて映画を観たら、夜は金沢で遊ぶというのも素敵なルートかもしれない。また、とっておきの映画を目当てに違う季節に再訪してみたい街。
This is the local specialty I found at Joetsu-Myoko station, called Kotake’s Sasadango bread. Inside of rice flour bread, the whole sasadango (mugwort rice cake with sweet bean inside) is in it! Kotake’s bread was also sold at Takada Sekaikan, so it must be a popular local bakery. Cute package with panda is perfect for a souvenir.
Takada is a cozy little castle town, easy to walk around. Watching a movie here, then move to Kanazawa for night out, might also be a good route. I’d like to revisit this town in different season, to watch a special movie again.
information
Takada Sekaikan
4-21 6cho-me Hon-cho Joetsu-shi Niigata
text & photo
Mariko Tsujimoto
Owner of Cinema Studio 28 Tokyo
I can’t believe “A Brighter Summer Day” will be played in theater this March!
Hope it’s not a dream!
辻本マリコ
Cinema Studio 28 Tokyo 主宰
3月、『牯嶺街少年殺人事件』を映画館で観られる日が来るなんて！夢なら醒めないで！
english translation
Rieko
Cinema Studio 28 Tokyo Los Angeles branch
Just watched Claire Denis “Beau Travail”, and can’t stop thinking about
Denis Lavant dancing…!
りえこ
Cinema Studio 28 Tokyo Los Angeles支部
クレール・ドゥニ監督「美しき仕事」を観て、
ドニ・ラヴァンのダンスが頭から離れません。