The short story of Kanji pictures
This gentle 200-meter slope marks the border between Kunitachi and Kokubunji. It is famous as the home of the late Kiyoshiro Imawano, Japan’s ‘King of Rock,’ who once boarded nearby. His rock band, RC Succession, captured his life here in the famous ballad ‘Tamaran-zaka,’ making this hill a legendary destination for rock fans.
| 名称 | たまらん坂標柱 |
| 所在地 | 〒186-0002 東京都国立市東３丁目４−１ |
This kanji consists of two parts. The upper part depicts a fishing net, which symbolizes social rules and the law. Below it is something torn like a flag, representing the negative concept of ‘non-‘ or violation. Therefore, this kanji combines these ideas to mean ‘crime’.
この漢字は、上部は悪い者をとらえる法律や社会の網（网・罒）、下部は「〜にあらず（背く）」を表す「非」です。社会のルールや道徳の網に引っかかるような不正な行いを指し、「罪（つみ・犯罪）」という意味になりました。
This kanji has two parts. The top represents a torn flag, meaning ‘not’ or ‘non-‘. The bottom is the symbol for ‘heart’. So, this kanji means ‘sad’ because it shows a heart being torn apart.
この漢字は、上部は左右に引き裂かれた旗を表す「非（あらず）」、下部は「心」です。まるで胸の中がふたつに引き裂かれてズタズタになってしまったかのような深い嘆きを表し、「かなしい（悲しい・悲哀）」という意味になりました。
The left side of this kanji represents ‘thread,’ and the right side shows ‘a river flowing through the land.’ Since ancient times, it has meant ‘warp’ (the vertical threads in weaving), which forms the backbone of a fabric.
この漢字は、左側は「糸」、右側は大地をまっすぐに貫いて流れる川の筋道（巠）を描いています。織物の縦方向にピンと張られた動かない背骨となる「たていと（経糸）」を表し、そこから普遍の筋道である「おしえ（お経・経典）」や「へる（経過）」を意味するようになりました。
This kanji shows oil being poured from the left into a fire on the right, making the fire grow bigger. That is why it means to ‘pour’ something in order to boost its power or energy.
左側から油（水）を注ぎ入れ、右側の炎の火力をグッと大きく燃え上がらせている様子を描いた漢字です。勢いを増すために液体を一点に注ぎ込むことから、「そそぐ（注ぐ・注入・注目）」という意味を表します。
This kanji represents the act of people lifting up something invisible—like life, enthusiasm, or a dream—with their hands. Therefore, it carries the meaning of ‘founding’ or ‘creating’ something intangible through collective human effort.
この漢字は、人々が力を合わせ、命や情熱、夢といった目に見えない大切なものを両手で高々と持ち上げる様子を表しています。人々の熱意を集めて新しい物事を起こす「おこす（興す・復興・興味）」という意味を持ちます。
Every Japanese school neighborhood seems to have that one legendary general store, and for Yaho, it is Takayanagi Shouten. Founded all the way back in 1934, this neighborhood institution has spent generations supporting the daily lives of local residents. They sell everything from cheap nostalgic sweets (Dagashi) and school stationery for children, to a carefully curated selection of fine Japanese Sake for adults.
Located right on the northeastern corner of Kunitachi Dai-ichi (First) Elementary School, this historic shop is affectionately known by everyone in the neighborhood as “Kado-mise”—which literally means “The Corner Store.” It remains a warm, living piece of Yaho’s community history.
| 名称 | 高柳商店（かど店） |
| 所在地 | 〒186-0011 東京都国立市谷保５９４８ |
| Homepage | https://kadomise.amebaownd.com/ |
The architecture of this Kanji character tells a beautiful story of nature:
When these two elemental symbols blend together, they create the Kanji for “Willow” (柳)—a tree that sways and blossoms with the graceful, fluid elegance of running water.
大地にしっかりと根を張る左側の「木」と、右側のサラサラと流れる清らかな水（卯・流れる水）が合わさった漢字です。流れる水のようにしなやかに枝を揺らす優雅な樹木、「やなぎ（柳）」を表します。
About 1,400 years ago, around the 7th century, the Yaho area was ruled by powerful local leaders. The incredible evidence of their reign came to light when a cluster of ten Kofun (ancient burial mounds) was discovered right here in Yaho.
Today, one of these remarkable tombs has been meticulously reconstructed here in the Shiken-zaike district.
The tomb features a unique engineering style of the era: ancient builders gathered smooth river stones from the nearby Tama River and piled them up high to create a protective, enclosed burial chamber (Genshitsu). Originally, this sacred chamber was covered by a massive earthen mound that served as a grand, roof-like hill over the final resting place of the leader.
| 名称 | 四軒在家古墳 |
| 所在地 | 〒186-0015 東京都国立市矢川３丁目１０ |
