shitamachi

But under its shadow, in a working class neighborhood known as shitamachi, many are still struggling to get by.

ArchivesBlogs 2010

It lay crouched within the maze of Tokyo's shitamachi, which in other, less sprawling cities would be translated as downtown, but here meant that area where the geographical stood metaphor for the social: the low end of town.

Black Blade Lustbader, Eric Van 1992

They went where they always ended up, Koyanagi, their favourite shitamachi, an old-style businessman's res'taurant, where they invariably ordered unagi, the broiled eel, which was the house speciality.

The White Ninja Lustbader, Eric 1990

When he reemerged into the spangled night of shitamachi, Tokyo's downtown, the old man was still where Nicholas had left him, one hand curled around the thick copper rim of the huge vessel used to burn incense.

The Miko Lustbader, Eric 1984

In Tokyo, more than half the married females in the flesh trade are said to reside in plebian shitamachi districts in Taito and Adachi Wards.

News On Japan 2009

Nagai Kafū: I’d much rather wander the shitamachi streets half-drunk than get lost in the labyrinth of the self.

Néojaponisme » Blog Archive » A History of Modern Japanese Literary Criticism: Act One, Scene 2 2009