Chapter 24 About Uchiyama Wanzo

1. Uchiyama and his bookstore Mr. Uchiyama Wanzo was invited to Beijing. He passed through Hong Kong a few days ago, stayed overnight, and left early the next morning. It's a pity that I knew the news too late and missed the opportunity to meet him. He was the former owner of Neishan Bookstore in Shanghai, so everyone always called him Boss Neishan.According to the newspaper, he is seventy-four years old this year, and I think he should be that age.Because when we were very young, we had already bought books in his bookstore. As I mentioned last time, Mr. Zheng Boqi gave me the two albums of Lu Gu Honger’s paintings, which were bought in his store, and this one It happened nearly thirty years ago.

His Neishan Bookstore was originally opened in an alley in the former Yokohama Bridge on North Sichuan Road in Shanghai. It sold magazines and publications, but not many books.Later, the business developed day by day, so it moved to the bottom of North Sichuan Road and officially opened a bookstore. The original site was changed into a magazine department.His bookstore has the good style that a first-class bookstore should have.That is to say: after you go in, if you greet him, he will naturally nod to greet you.But if you don't want to greet him, you can go to the bookshelf to read a book, no one will pay attention to you, and no one will ask you questions.You have read enough books on the shelf, if you don't want to buy anything, you can walk away, and no one will give you an ugly face.But if you automatically ask him or ask him to find some books, his answer and service will be extremely attentive and thoughtful.Boss Uchiyama was also able to speak a few words of Japanese-style Shanghainese, so many people who did not understand Japanese at that time also liked to browse in his bookstore.

In his shop, behind the big pillar in the center, there are a few wicker chairs, a small table, and a fire bowl, which is indispensable in Japanese life, with a teapot on it.This is where the owner of Uchiyama sits and where he entertains friends and customers.Anyone who pleases himself can sit down on these wicker chairs and he will pour you a cup of tea from elegant little Japanese teacups.If the opportunity is good, sometimes you can also eat a Japanese dessert.At this time, if you can speak Japanese, you can start chatting with the boss.If you don't know how to speak, you can smile at each other knowingly, and you won't be embarrassed.

On these rattan chairs, Mr. Lu Xun often sat there.Because he is not only a regular customer of Neishan Bookstore, but also a friend of the boss of Neishan.Back then, Mr. Lu Xun entrusted him to make appointments for many of the books he printed himself. He collected and forwarded the general letters and manuscript fees on his behalf. Mr. Lu Xun, who was sitting on a rattan chair in the Neishan Bookstore, would greet acquaintances whenever he saw them, but he was always vigilant. Standing up pretty quietly, she slipped away through the back door. Neishan Bookstore is very similar to the new mainland village where Mr. Lu Xun lived.Another book storage place rented by Mr. Lu Xun in Qianaili is just behind the bookstore, so it is very convenient to come and go.When I returned to Shanghai a few years ago, after visiting the former residence of Lu Xun in Dalu Xincun, I even took a look at the old site of Neishan Bookstore. It seems to have been converted into a pharmacy. Postal kiosk for books and newspapers.

Back then, when you bought books at the Neishan Bookstore, you could pay the bill, which was really a great convenience for poor educated people.After the August 13th Shanghai War, the traffic on North Sichuan Road was cut off first, and then I went south alone. Therefore, I still owe him a book account in the store, which can be said to be the biggest apology to the boss. (September 20, 1959) 2. Mourning Mr. Uchiyama I was shocked when I read in the newspaper that Mr. Uchiyama had passed away in Beijing.A few days ago, I had no chance to meet him because he passed through Hong Kong and went north, so I wrote a short article to tell about his past.I originally planned to cut a copy and send it to him to entertain him, hoping that he would pass through Hong Kong when he returned to China in the future, so that he could meet me for a meeting.A friend left for home a few days ago, and I saw him off. I almost wanted to ask him to take this short draft, but then I realized that this friend didn’t know him well, and I was afraid of trouble, so I thought I’d better send it to him.Unexpectedly, before my letter was finished, I read the news of his death in the newspaper.It seems that he suffered from this emergency as soon as he arrived in Beijing. The vicissitudes of life are so unpredictable.

Mr. Uchiyama, who has worked hard for the friendship and cooperation between the Chinese and Japanese people all his life, although his ambition has come to an end this time, he can die in the capital of the Chinese people. I think he can die in peace. His whole life was devoted to friendship with the Chinese people, and he suffered many slanders and grievances.In the early days of his running the Neishan Bookstore, because of his close contacts with Chinese intellectuals, especially his deep friendship with Mr. Lu Xun, some people suspected that his bookstore was a cover, a secret organization funded by others.Before and after the Anti-Japanese War, some people suspected that he was a Japanese spy sent in Shanghai to collect information on our culture.After the Pacific War broke out, it was said that he was detained by the Japanese military police again on the charge of helping Chinese cultural people escape the snares arranged by the Japanese military police.In the early days of the fall of Hong Kong, he came here once, with the purpose of helping the Chinese friends who were trapped on the island at that time.It was probably because of such activities that he was noticed by the Japanese military police.

In fact, Mr. Uchiyama is a typical Japanese. He is loyal to his motherland, but at the same time loves the Chinese people, just like many kind-hearted Japanese people.This can also be seen from the two small books he wrote about life memories in China.His views are still Japanese, but this does not hinder his understanding of Chinese nationality and his interest in Chinese culture.Such international friends are really precious.Therefore, when he came to China as a guest with the great ambition of developing the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people, he suddenly fell ill and passed away, which makes us feel very sorry!

(September 1959)