“The Pure Heart of a Naruto Child”
There is a movie called “Awa Dance.” It had its first showing in the summer of 2007、 and it is a story about youth、 which also portrays Naruto’s Awa Odori Festival. I think that you can watch it this winter when it comes out on DVD. The movie’s stage is Naruto High School、 which is located in the old town of the city of Naruto.
In the movie’s setup、 the family of one of the supporting characters (Ryo Katsuji) makes sake at the brewery right next to the school (this is actually the location of the brewery in real life!). Katsumi Takahashi plays the part of that character’s father and has an important role in the film’s plot. I spoke to Mr. Tachibana、 the 8th generation president of Hana no Haru、 who was the inspiration for that character in the movie. Unlike the hard-headed、 charismatic、 middle-aged man in the movie、 my impression of Mr. Tachibana is that he is actually calm and sincere. “Are you an expert at dancing in the Awa Odori Festival?” “Well...I was born and raised here、 so I guess I can dance a little.” Of course、 he’s very modest. But、 I bet if you get him in a bad mood、 he can get pretty scary. So timidly I asked some questions and was able to get a good lot of material about the locality of Naruto. Making some good recommendations he said、 “Tokushima Ramen is a new thing. The real tradition around here is Naruto’s udon.” He also said、 “People from Naruto always have their hearts in Myokenzan (a mountain where for some reason there is also a castle)、 even if they go as far away as another country.” He gave me lots of pamphlets and explained to me so much about Naruto that I thought I was in a tourism office. But the fact is、 it was all pretty lowbrow!
As for sake、 he said、 “It would be great if people from Naruto would drink our sake.” I guess these words aren’t especially cool.
This wasn’t the Naruto famed for its seaside whirlpools and resorts. Rather I remember it as a castle town where the children of Naruto are raised to be genuine kids.
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「The old town of Naruto as seen from the mountain、 Myokenzan」
The old town of Naruto as seen from the mountain、 Myokenzan
「The brewery is 5 seconds from the Naruto High School gate.」
The brewery is 5 seconds from the Naruto High School gate.
「President Tachibana、 played by Katsumi Takahashi in the movie」
President Tachibana、 played by Katsumi Takahashi in the movie
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思いついたらおうちの近くから。さあ出かけよう。四国の酒蔵88箇所巡礼の旅
