Below are some pictures of an eccentric oddball who can often be spotted roaming the streets of Yokohama. Whenever there’s a big event in Kanagawa prefecture, such as a summer festival or a fireworks display, this colourful character appears, riding a bicycle and wearing long white robes, comedy spectacles and an enormous hat that looks like Salvador Dali’s wedding cake. More often than not, he’s also wearing a pair of fake boobies. I wonder if he wears this outfit every day?
Despite this man’s larger-than-life appearance, nobody seems to have any idea who he is. Is he a genuinely insane fruitcake, a daring outsider artist, or just a guy who likes dressing-up for fun? Most Yokohama residents know him only as “that crazy Oji-san.” I once had a brief opportunity to speak to him when he stopped his bicycle next to me at a traffic light, but I was left feeling none the wiser. he simply said “Yokohama! Yokohama!” gleefully, then sped off on his bike.
Whoever this mysterious nutter is, I wholeheartedly approve of his bonkers dress-sense. He certainly serves as a good antidote to the stereotypical Japanese traits of reserve and uniformity.
[...] Who is this Loony? Below are some pictures of an eccentric oddball who can often be spotted roaming the streets of Yokohama. Whenever […] [...]
Hilarious!
What is he, like…four feet tall?
Not really. He’s sitting on a bike in two of the pictures. But he’s no giant!
The Madame Tussaud’s statue has been ordered and a Bronze statue will be erected soon in name of “that crazy oji-san” … or it should be … here we don’t have people like that … we do have a sexy girl (really sexy) that dress like a playmate with cat-ears and do pole dance on the subways pole after midnight …
Wow- that sounds better!
Definitely an artist, I would say!
I would welcome more!
[...] to roaf’s site, Gaijin Tonic, and find [...]
Yep I like loonies:) A LOT! Loonies are usually honest LOL!
Yeah, you know where you stand with a nutter!
Dang! You would never see someone dressed like that in Korea. That said, people here are stuck in the 80s when it comes to ‘fashion’ (the quotes are there for a reason. Go figure).
There is someone similar to him in Bangkok. Always a crowd puller. However, he clearly does it to make coin from the tourists (and he makes a fair whack on all accounts).
I don’t think this guy actually gets any money for his troubles. But he’s not alone- Japan has a big culture of dressing up in crazy costumes.
Jesus. I thought he was dressing up as a way to attract tourists. (Note to self: get your sorry arse to JAPAN!)
OMG! My wife saw him at an art show about a month back! He was wearing the pine cone things from cookoo clocks and fishbowls with live goldfish as earrings.
Live goldfish? Wow, sounds like he’s getting more crazy with his accessorizing.