Iwanami Hall and Jimbocho seen on foot [Doichiro Enoki's movie Akasatana Vol.6]

On the Monday after the House of Councilors election, I headed to Iwanami Hall first thing in the morning. The purpose was to see ``The World as Seen on Foot: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin'' (19). As you know, Iwanami Hall, the pioneer of Japanese mini-theaters, will end its 54-year history on the 29th of this month. The number of spectators has decreased due to the effects of the new coronavirus, making it difficult to operate the theater.

Of course I was planning to say goodbye to Iwanami Hall. It's probably going to get crowded as the business closes on the 29th. I have a weak sense of wanting to be present at their final moments, and if possible, I'd like to say goodbye quietly without making a fuss.

Subway exit A6. It is directly connected to the Iwanami Jimbocho Building, and when you go up the stairs, you will see the signs showing the films being shown. When I was a budding writer in my 20s, I commuted to Jimbocho almost every day. Exit A6 and you will reach Jimbocho intersection. At the time, Shueisha and Shogakukan buildings were lined up along Hakusan Dori. When I was training as a writer, there was no fax, let alone email. Instead of working from home as they do now, writers will gather in the editorial department and complete their work overnight. So every night, there were a lot of people at the magazine office, including writers and designers. Everyone goes to the editorial department even if they don't have a job.

“The person who takes the flyer of the Six Laws?”

At the beginning of the evening, a young editor takes delivery orders. ``Rokupo'' is a sushi restaurant near Jimbocho intersection, and the chirashi was just delicious. At times like these, even though I wasn't there for work, I would raise my hand and say, "Yes!" The publishing industry was still doing well, and I was able to get more people involved. Since I was single, the system where dinner was provided to me when I raised my hand (?) was the best. So, while I was wandering around like that, I even got a job saying, ``Oh, Enokido-kun, that's great. Do you have some free time now? I wonder if you could do 4 pages for me.'' I'm sure you'll visit Jimbocho every day.

No one comes to the editorial department until around 3 p.m. After an interview, there were times when I had a bit of free time until the editor in charge showed up. Jimbocho is a city where you can spend a lot of time. There is a tango cafe Milonga. There is a pachinko life theater. Of course, 2 to 3 hours will pass quickly if you visit used bookstores. My favorites include Yaguchi Shoten, which specializes in movies, theater, and entertainment, and Ryoko Shobo, which specializes in miniature books.The list goes on and on.

Of course, Iwanami Hall will be added there. If I had time, I could go see it quickly. ``The World of Demented Old Men'' (1986), ``The Martinic Boy'' (1983), and `` The Whale of August '' (1987), I don't know the order in which I watched them, but I can't help but think of the works from the 1980s. The most recent movie I saw was `` Goebbels and I '' (16). Nowadays, there are mini-theaters in local cities, but in the past there were plays that you could only see at Iwanami Hall.

So, for people like me who just popped in to see it because I had free time, Iwanami Hall had the charm of not knowing where it would take me. If it's an entertainment movie made by Hollywood, you can usually guess it. The only clues Iwanami Hall can provide are signs and posters for subway exits. It's only when you go that you can tell what country the film is from, what kind of writer it is, and what kind of director it is. The ``Equipe de Cinema'' movement has a history of discovering unknown masterpieces and fine works. There were many times when the screening started and I thought, ``Wow, that's what happened.'' I loved being taken to places I had never thought of.

My memories are long. ``Walking Through the World: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin'' is a film that truly aims to transport the viewer somewhere far away. The basic structure is a documentary that follows the life of a British-born wandering writer named Bruce Chatwin. By the way, the original title is ``Nomad'', but the Japanese title was changed to ``The World I Saw While Walking'', which is a great idea. The title gives an impression of the private acts of ``walking,'' ``seeing,'' and ``encountering the world.'' That's right, rather than being a literary documentary focusing on the author, this film depicts a series of deeply personal acts. The director is Werner Herzog, who directed `` Aguirre: The Wrath of God '' (1972), and he is amazing. After all, it truly traces Bruce Chatwin's private gaze with empathy and love.

“The world seen by walking in the footsteps of Bruce Chatwin” ©️SIDEWAYS FILM

Chapter 1, ``Brontosaurus Skin,'' tells the story of how, as a boy, Bruce wanted the skin of a brontosaurus (actually a giant sloth) that belonged to his grandmother's house. What is that? Well, I guess something like that happened to me too. Fragments of dreams that seem to be sleeping in everyone's heart. This ``private'' interest, like wet partiality, sets Bruce off on his journey. To the Aborigines of Central Australia, to Chile in South America, and to Patagonia. The film traces his progress. A literary critic would probably find meaning in this, but to someone like me who's just jumping in, it looks like a series of illusions and illusions. A beautiful and thought-provoking vision/fantasy. It's not very descriptive, so it's not very helpful for people who want to understand things. You end up receiving a ``beautiful image that you don't understand'' without really understanding it.

That feels so good. I wonder if Iwanami Hall has taken me far away once again. Even if Iwanami Hall disappears, everyone, please walk somewhere other than here. Continue that journey. I think that's what it means. I thought about saying ``Thank you'' to the woman in the lobby on the way home, but I felt embarrassed and decided against it. After all, Iwanami Hall is still open. You can say thank you from the bottom of your heart.

*The ``Pachinko Life Theater'' and ``Sushi Roppou'' mentioned in the article closed earlier than Iwanami Hall. Gyoza ``Sweet Pozu'' has also closed. Jimbocho is also changing.

Text: Ichiro Enoki

Born in 1959. Born in Akita Prefecture. Debuted in a commercial magazine with ``Takarajima'' in 1980 while studying at Chuo University. Since then, he has serialized columns and essays in various magazines, and continues to this day. Also active on radio and television. Twitter @ichiroenokido

Reserve “The World as I See It: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin” now ↓

"The World as seen by Walking: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin"

Screening at Iwanami Hall until July 29, 2022 (Friday)

Others will be released nationwide

Distribution: Sunny Film

©️SIDEWAYS FILM

Special screening “Werner Herzog Retrospective: A Polar Journey”

Held at Iwanami Hall until July 18, 2022 (Monday, holiday)