"Jarinko Chie" and Osaka's downtown culture
Anime that Reflects the Life and Spirit of the Showa Era: "Jarinko Chie" and Osaka's Downtown Culture
"Why not?" cries echo across the shopping street. Offal sizzles on a hot plate. Laughter echoes through the backstreets, and the occasional sound of arguing mixes in.
"Jarinko Chie" is a work that depicts the scenery of Osaka's downtown area in its entirety in animation.
The second installment of the anime series that depicts the life and spirit of the Showa era.
This time, we will take a different angle from Sazae-san and look into Osaka's downtown culture through "Jarinko Chie," which depicts the resilience and deep compassion of the common people.
The existence of Chie: A big soul residing on a small back
The main character, Takemoto Chie, is an elementary school student who runs a grilled offal restaurant.
His father, Tetsu, is unemployed, quick to fight, and is separated from his mother.
Even in such an environment, Chie is cheerful, strong, and more compassionate than anyone else.
In Osaka during the Showa era, there were many families where children supported adults.
Even when times are tough financially, they overcome it with laughter and compassion.
Chie's figure symbolizes the soul of the common people of that era.
Her choice of words, demeanor, and sense of distance from others are strongly influenced by the downtown culture of the Showa era.
The essence of downtown culture: laughter, quarrels, and passion
Osaka's downtown culture is not just about liveliness.
There, laughter, quarrels, and emotion coexist in an exquisite balance.
The characters in "Jarinko Chie" frequently argue.
But behind that lies deep trust and love.
Though his words are harsh, his heart is kind.
This is the essence of Osaka's "human kindness."
The "depth of emotion" and "relationship with the user" that WABISUKE values have something in common with this downtown culture.
For example, the story behind the product and its meaning as a gift.
It is not just an exchange of things, but an exchange of hearts.
Just as Chie connects people through grilled offal, WABISUKE hopes to connect people's memories and emotions through craftsmanship.
Showa-era scenery: back alleys, iron plates, and cats
"Jarinko Chie" is filled with scenes of Osaka in the Showa era.
Narrow alleys, public baths, shopping streets, teppanyaki restaurants, and cats.
In particular, the cat Kotetsu is a character that colors the story as Chie's companion.
The scene of cats and people living together evokes the warmth of a downtown area in the Showa era.
These landscapes can also be used in WABISUKE's visual expression.
For example, there is an illustration depicting a back alley at dusk, and a color scheme that evokes the feeling of steam rising from a hot plate.
The scenery of the Showa era is not just a source of nostalgia, but has the power to resonate with us today as a "memory of daily life."
Rhythm of words: The poetry of Osaka dialect
One of the charms of "Jarinko Chie" is the rhythm of the Osaka dialect.
"Are you an idiot?" "Seriously?" "There's no other way."
These words are not merely dialects, but poetic tools that convey rich emotional nuances.
The "poetic statements" and "space for words" that WABISUKE pursues resonate with the rhythm of these dialects.
Words stick in our minds not only because of their meaning, but also because of their sounds and pauses.
The tempo and rhythm of Osaka dialect is the very rhythm of life in the Showa era.
Conclusion: Memories of strength and kindness
"Jarinko Chie" is a work that depicts the downtown culture of Osaka in the Showa era, filled with laughter and tears.
There is both strength and gentleness in it.
Chie's small back harbors a soul that transcends time.
WABISUKE wants to be a presence that gently brings the spirit of the Showa era into modern life.
For example, the "feelings" that go into a gift and the "memories" that deepen with continued use.
These are things that are nurtured day by day, just like the iron plate that Chie uses to grill her grilled offal.
The downtown scenery of the Showa era still lives on in our hearts.
And if WABISUKE's craftsmanship can bring those memories closer...
That is our wish.