【ぎゅっと】中洲の福ノ神～７５歳が誓う報恩の夏～

Nakasu, the largest entertainment district in Western Japan, lights up the nights of Hakata. Here, for 42 years, there is a sushi chef who has upheld the tradition of his restaurant. Masanori Tateiwa, 75 years old. His "gentle eyes" that bring smiles to customers' faces are his defining feature. "When you come to Iwamasu, you absolutely must try the lettuce roll. The one with the flying fish roe." "Thank you." Actually, Mr. Tateiwa was born and raised in Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. He quit his corporate job and opened this restaurant when he was 33. "I chose Nakasu thinking that my wife and I could do it together. But everyone was against it. They said it was crazy since I'd never even worked in Nakasu before." Now, he's a prominent figure in Nakasu. And the testament to his journey in Nakasu is the Yamakasa festival. He has participated in the Yamakasa festival for 40 years. This year, he finally took on the role of "General Affairs," the highest-ranking official in his district. He's in a position where he leads hundreds of men and bears all the responsibility for the float. "Why am I so nervous about Yamakasa? I'm more nervous than at work. Maybe it's because I'm so serious... It's all thanks to everyone, I'm able to be in charge of general affairs because of everyone. It's not just my own strength, you know." "Thanks to everyone" His gratitude and appreciation for his comrades remains unchanged even as he rises in rank. "Thank you for your hard work!" "Let's have a great time today, eating and drinking. Enjoy yourselves! Eat lots and lots!" "Maybe I'll do the grilling today." "I can't swallow it! (laughs)" "This year's Nakasu float's theme is 'God of Fortune,' and to us, Mr. Tateiwa is a god of fortune." "My daughter calls him 'Grandpa Nakasu,' he's a very approachable person." "I want to make Mr. Tateiwa cry." "The General Affairs Officer I admire." Hehe, Mr. Tateiwa is loved. It's been 37 years since Mr. Tateiwa's town served as general affairs manager in the year of the first Yamakasa float. The last time was in 1989, and the general affairs manager at that time was Mr. Mitsutaka Yoshida. "Where was Mr. Tateiwa then?" "I don't know. I don't know. Everyone was so young back then." He was the one who invited Mr. Tateiwa to participate in the Yamakasa festival and is considered his life mentor. "(Mr. Yoshida) came to the shop every day. He would come to say hello." This day marked the 23rd anniversary of Mr. Yoshida's death. He had decided that he would definitely report it to Mr. Tateiwa once he became general affairs manager. "I never thought I would be able to do the general affairs manager role that Mr. Yoshida had done, so I said, 'I've come.'" "Especially for the first Yamakasa float, it feels like fate." There's another important role given only to the general affairs manager of the first Yamakasa float. Singing the "Hakata Celebration Song" loudly and alone during the Kushida Shrine procession. It's a sight that every Yamakasa float bearer aspires to. This year, Mr. Tateiwa will be singing. "I want her to see me in my finest form. I really want to show it to her, but..." The person Mr. Tateiwa desperately wants to show his finest form to is: "(My wife) never says a word during the Yamakasa festival. She's a wonderful wife." The person he desperately wants to show the "Iwai Medeta" (celebratory song) at the Kushida Shrine entrance is his wife, Mari. They've been childhood friends since elementary school. When he opened his shop in Nakasu, she never complained, and they walked hand-in-hand as a couple. However— "Suddenly, her legs just won't move. She says things like, 'If I go and something happens, I'll be a nuisance, so maybe I shouldn't go.'" For the past few years, Mari has been suffering from a serious illness, making it difficult for her to even go out, let alone run the shop. It's uncertain whether she'll be able to come see the Oiyama Yamakasa festival. "I'm sure she really wants to come. I want her to see me in my finest form. I really want to show it to her, but... that's how it is." Even if she can't see it, he wants to perform the Kushida Shrine entrance in a way that his wife can be proud of. For my mentor, for my wife. "When you look into his eyes, it feels like he's speaking to you. He really has a wonderful face." For Nakasu, where I've spent half my life. I vow to make a magnificent offering that I can be proud of. "I have nothing but gratitude (towards Nakasu), nothing but gratitude. I've been doing business in Nakasu for 42 years. I was just a young guy who didn't know anything, but thanks to everyone, I've come this far. I'll work hard as a way of repaying that debt." The finale, the "Oiyama-kasa," is the day after tomorrow.