Dear Culture-Loving Friend,
I’m deeply fond of both the old and the ever-changing. That’s precisely why I embarked on this blogging journey – to capture and share the thrill of discovering sights unique to this moment.
Today, I ventured to Meijo Park to check out the construction of the new Aichi Prefecture Gymnasium. It’s February 2nd, 2024, smack in the middle of winter, with a chill that cuts to the bone.
Stepping out of the Meijo Park subway station, I was immediately greeted by a massive structure cloaked in blue. Last summer, this place was just an expanse of empty ground, or so my memory tells me.
The photo above captures the current Aichi Prefecture Gymnasium, doomed to demolition. Erected in 1964, still bearing the scars of war, it’s renowned for hosting the Grand Sumo Nagoya Tournament each July. Judged too ancient for contemporary events, it’s scheduled to bow out in 2026.
Hey, take a look, my friend! At this breathtakingly clear blue sky!! It matches the blue cover, doesn’t it? Why blue, you ask? Because it’s the color of the sky.
The sounds of construction, the “bangs and thumps,” herald the birth of what’s to become one of Japan’s leading arenas. The thought of this place being hailed as a sacred site in the future fills me with excitement. Documenting the construction site on my blog is my way of being a storyteller of history. And you, witnessing it through my words, become witnesses of history too!
Got a bit carried away there, but let’s keep moving.
Drawings from local kindergarten kids adorn the white walls hiding the construction site. If the kids are looking forward to the new gymnasium, a bit of noise doesn’t bother us. I can only hope that what’s being built will amaze them.
Turning away from the construction site, the usual serene scenery of Meijo Park unfolds. Statues seem even more striking under the western sun.
And, something that caught my eye – do you have transparent boards at construction sites in your country? It’s a common sight here in Japan nowadays. They’re meant to prevent pedestrians from bumping into each other head-on. I’m curious about how things are in your country. I love hearing stories from around the world.
As I wrapped up my chilly circuit around the site, warming up with a coffee in hand, I felt a profound connection to this moment in time—a fleeting glimpse into the future. And I want you to be part of this journey too. So, when this arena stands tall, ready to welcome us, promise me you’ll come visit. I’ll be waiting, my friend!
Koki@SamuraiWanderer
