The character 碑 (ishibumi, or read hi when used as a suffix) refers to memorials and markers erected at roadsides and elsewhere to commemorate people or mark events.
When visiting Yokohama last month, I had a few minutes to kill before a restaurant reservation, so I let Burritt "Burt" Sabin cajole me into walking to the end of the Isezakicho Mall, a promenade with shops and restaurants across the street from JR Kannai Station. Burt — author of "A Historical Guide to Yokohama: Sketches of the Twice-risen Phoenix" (2002) — wanted to show me an ishibumi commemorating 伊勢佐木町ブルース (Isezakichō Burūsu,"Isezakicho Blues"), a big hit song for vocalist Mina Aoe in 1968.
The inscription begins 「伊勢佐木町」の名は、故青江三奈さん歌唱の伊勢佐木町ブルースによって、全国の人々に知られることになりました。 ("Isezakicho" no na wa, ko-Aoe Mina-san kasho no "Isezakichō Burūsu" ni yotte, zenkoku no hitobito ni shirareru koto ni narimashita; Through the late Aoe Mina's song "Isezakicho Blues," the name of "Isezakicho" became known to people throughout the country.
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