"Onihei Hanka-cho" series
Chronological table
This is a chronological table of Ikenami's major full-length novels and serial novels. When you look at the table top to bottom, for example, there is the section of 1974. The green line across the section indicates "Onihei Hanka-cho," and other lines also indicate "Kenkaku Shobai" and "Shikakenin - Fujieda Baian."(continued in the right column)
The same year he wrote a novel titled "Otoko-buri" and another novel "Sanada Taihei-ki," as well as other essays. So, he wrote seven to eight novels at the same time during the busiest periods of his career.(continued in the lower left column)
A chronological table of Ikenami's major full-length novels and serial novels
Edo picture map
This is an Edo picture map. The whole Edo town is depicted. Here is the Sumida River. There are various marks, such as green and purple ones, on it. These marks indicate the locations of "Onihei Hanka-cho," "Kenkaku Shobai" and "Shikakenin - Fujieda Baian." This map is comparatively popular among visitors.
Q : Is this a map made in the Tenpo Period?
Old maps created near the end of the Edo Period, including the Edo picture map and sectional maps, are most sophisticated because printing technology was highly developed at that time. So, most old maps in existence were created at that time. However, the times of "Onihei Hanka-cho," "Kenkaku Shobai" and "Shikakenin - Fujieda Baian" are earlier. They are set in the Anei, Kansei and Tenmei Periods - appro-ximately 50 to 100 years before this sectional map was created - but downtown Edo was not largely changed.
Q : Can it be imagined by looking at this picture map?
It can be roughly imagined. Details might be changed, but the town had never been developed in large scale as done in the present time.
Q : Did Heizo Hasegawa live in the area around Ogawa-machi?
This is Hisae's parents' house, and here is Hasegawa's official residence. This is the Shimizu-mon gate. Outside of the gate corresponds to the site of Chiyoda City Office. The gate still remains.
Q : Did Heizo Hasegawa live in the area that is now part of Chiyoda City?
No, it is not correct. It is Ikenami's creation. Viewed in a historical light, Hasegawa's house was located in the area around Honjo. Ikenami wrote stories set in the area that is now part of Sumida City.(continued in the right column)
"Onihei Hanka-cho," "Kenkaku Shobai" and "Shikakenin - Fujieda Baian" whole Edo picture map
Imado, Minowa and Asakusa picture map
Q : Probably, Hasegawa governed these areas, did not he?
Well, Ikenami was born in Shoden-cho, so it is around here. This area is repeatedly described in his novels.
Q : Do people also stroll around these areas?
Yes, in addition to these areas, they stroll around Honjo and Fukagawa. On this map, marks can be seen here and there, so it is sure that Ikenami wrote about many places in Edo. However, stories are mainly set in Asakusa, Fukagawa and Honjo. It seems his favorite places were these areas.(continued in the next page)
At The Ikenami Shotaro Memorial Museum, small letter papers with sketches drawn by Ikenami, postcards and others are on sale, which receive a favorable reception from fans of Ikenami and "Onihei Hanka-cho." Old Edo map and the world of Shotaro Ikenami - settings for Onihei, Kenkaku and Baian, is so popular as to be surely carried by his fans who visit locations of his novels.
"Onihei Hanka-cho" series
At The Ikenami Shotaro Memorial Museum, small letter papers with sketches drawn by Ikenami, postcards and others are on sale, which receive a favorable reception from fans of Ikenami and "Onihei Hanka-cho." Old Edo map and the world of Shotaro Ikenami - settings for Onihei, Kenkaku and Baian, is so popular as to be surely carried by his fans who visit locations of his novels.