Long Life Bicycle Shop and Saigon Curry

次回、この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

I have mentioned in several previous posts the vintage bicycle shop in Komae, Tokyo, 長寿自転車商会　(CHOJU JITENSHA SHOKAI) which translates to Long Life Bicycle Shop.  And long life it is as the proprietor is 95 years young and continues to repair bicycles.  His wide range of knowledge and experience makes him a living encyclopedia when it comes to Japanese bicycles.


In today's world of chain stores, it is refreshing to visit a one-man establishment where the owner is the same person who repairs your bicycle.

The shop has been in business for so many decades that it is sort of a mini-museum.

I have been visiting the shop for nearly two decades and each time I never fail to learn something new.  
Conveniently located just a three-minute walk from the bicycle shop is SAIGON restaurant which I think serves the best curry in Japan.

I've always wondered what the secret ingredient is that makes the curry do delicious.
The other day when I visited the restaurant, I think I may have discovered the secret

There it was, handwritten and posted on the wall in the restaurant, but despite having eaten there for nearly two decades, I never noticed it.

Once I read it, I felt enlightened.
Loosely translated, it read, "Savor the time and effort you put into something as it builds character".
In today's world of instant-foods, I found this tidbit refreshing and came to understand that there is no short-cut to good quality and that's what sets their curry apart from the rest.

工具参照資料 (畑屋）

I'll be back with another English post soon until then stay trued and happy wheels.

前回の投稿では、ホーザンの工具ガイドを紹介しました。
今回は畑屋の工具カタログを紹介します。
このカタログの利点は、工具の説明だけでなく、一部の工具に使用イラストが付いていることです。
これは、工具が実際にどこでどのように使用されるか役立ちます。

ちなみに、国産工具、特にレンチにご興味がある方は、コンビネーションレンチ・コレクションをご覧ください。
国産製造業者の研究は信じられないほど素晴らしいです。
前回のホーザンと今回の畑屋を参照してください。

Tool Reference (Hataya English)

次回、この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

In the previous post we looked at a handy tool guide from Hozan.  In this post we will look at a tool catalog from Hataya.  The nice thing about this catalog is that, in addition to the description, it provides illustrations for some tools.  This is helpful to understand where and how the tool is actually used.

On a side note, if you are interested in Japanese tools, especially wrenches, head on over to Combination Wrench Collection.
Although the site is in Japanese, many of the brand names are listed in English.  The amount of research is incredible.
Check out the Hozan page and  Hataya page.