This kanji consists of two parts. On the left is the “body” radical, and on the right is a woman with her hands on her hips, which represents the body’s most important part. Together, this kanji means “hip” or “the most vital physical point.”
hip(腰)
point(要)
first(初)
This kanji consists of two parts: the clothing radical on the left, which depicts a person wearing a kimono, and the knife radical on the right.
Together, these components form the kanji meaning “first” or “at first,” originally referring to cutting fabric to make clothes.
The movie theater “Kunitachi Sukara-za”(映画館「国立スカラ座」）
Even today, only a few people know that there used to be a movie theater on Asahi Street in Kunitachi City.
It first opened in 1956 under the name “Kunitachi Koni Theater” (国立コニー劇場). The theater showed domestic films and gained popularity among local residents. However, around the time of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, television grew in popularity, leading to a decline in movie theater attendance. As a result, the theater closed in 1965. For a while after its closure, the abandoned building was rumored to be a haunted house.
In 1967, the theater was renovated and reopened as “Kunitachi Sukara-za” (国立スカラ座). It regained its popularity, drawing around 1,000 visitors every day by 1975. However, as home video and video rentals later became mainstream, attendance dropped again, and the theater permanently closed in 1987.
Since then, there have been no movie theaters in Kunitachi City. However, citizen groups frequently host pop-up movie events here in Kunitachi.
Where is Yaho?
Where is Yaho？
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Town
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Culture
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Nature
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Yabo Tenmangu
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History
board(札)
”And, Live ”（映画『そして、生きる』有村架純）
The movie” And, Live (Soshite, Ikiru)” is a 10-year story that follows three university students who randomly meet while volunteering after the Great East Japan Earthquake. As they enter society and face the turns of fate, they struggle and mature while trying to find their own paths in life.
The lead actress, Kasumi Arimura, plays a character who steps off at Kunitachi Station and walks through the town in search of her missing lover. The newly renovated Kunitachi Station building and Daigaku-dori (University Avenue) are symbolically captured on screen.
Originally broadcast in 2019 as a 6-episode drama series on WOWOW, it was later re-edited and released as a feature film.
Where is Yaho？
Where is Yaho？
Town
Town
Culture
Culture
Nature
Nature
Yabo Tenmangu
Yabo Tenmangu
History
History
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south(南)
north(北)
This kanji shows two people sitting back-to-back.
Originally, it meant “back.” That’s why you can still see this radical at the top of the kanji “背” (back).
Later, it came to mean “north.” This happened because ancient Chinese emperors always faced south when seated, so their backs were facing north.
assist(介)
This kanji depicts a person wearing armor with protective gear on both sides. Because of this, it came to mean “to assist” or “to care for”.
身体の両脇に防具（よろい）を身につけた人を描いた漢字です。間に入って身を守る、あるいは人を助け世話をすることから「助ける・介助する・仲立ちをする」という意味になりました。
Words ＆Phrases
- 介護（kaigo）:Providing daily assistance to the sick, the elderly, or people with disabilities who cannot take care of everyday tasks like eating, bathing, and dressing on their own.
- 介入（kainyu）:Forcing one’s way into a line, a conversation, or a space where one doesn’t belong.
- 介抱（kaihou）:Looking after and tending to sick or injured people to help them recover.
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stack(積)
This kanji consists of three main elements. On the left is the “harvest” (grain) radical. On the top right is a symbol representing stacked rice bales, and on the bottom right is the “shell” radical, which served as currency in ancient times. Together, these elements depict taxes and valuable goods gathered from the people, creating the original meaning “to stack” or “to accumulate.” By extension, this kanji is now used for accumulating intangible valuables, such as gaining experience or building skills.