national

Prankster dresses Osaka street statues in red

30 Comments

Authorities in Osaka are puzzled after 19 of the 29 statues on Midosuji Boulevard, Osaka's main street, were clothed in red dresses on the night of July 24 by a person or persons unknown. The statues on the boulevard, also known as "Midosuji Sculpture Street," represent men, women and children of all ages. Each of the dresses is said to match the age, style and physical activity of its wearer.

Some members of the public have reacted positively to the phenomenon describing it as "vibrant" and "unique," while others have described it as disrespectful. Osaka city authorities say that the statues were not damaged and that they are not treating the incident as a crime.

Osaka Mayor Kunio Hiramatsu, 62, told a news conference this week that "We'd like to know who did it, but we're not looking to press charges. It has been an interesting incident and it has got people's attention, but if the street were to become a venue for this kind of fashion show regularly, it would be difficult for us, so let's do this kind of thing together."

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30 Comments
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oeh thats nearby, gotta check after work today. hope they didnt clean it up yet :

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

And yet, no picture...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

That's what I've always liked about Osaka -- even the vandals are creative.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

pics of "installation" would be nice otherwise what is the purpose of this story?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Photos Here: http://photo.sankei.jp.msn.com/essay/data/2011/07/0728midousuji/

2 ( +4 / -2 )

One thing I could never stand about Osaka; all those naked statues.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

perhaps done under silent approval by Osaka authorities...a punishable act...overlooked.. 'shouganai.'

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"...but if the street were to become a venue for this kind of fashion show regularly, it would be difficult for us, so let’s do this kind of thing together.”

So the mayor wants to get together with a group of people and dress up in red dresses and stand on street corners???

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Nice! Glad to hear about harmless little pranks like this that can brighten people's day a bit and add a bit of life. Good work!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Asagao: "So the mayor wants to get together with a group of people and dress up in red dresses and stand on street corners???"

I think what he meant was that he doesn't want people to pull this kind of prank again, but that the city would be willing to do something like it once in a while as a special event.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Disrespectful? Man, some people need to take some chill pills! Spray paint; now that would have been disrespectful!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Probably an old man with a fetish for naked women statues. Sometimes naked statues are funny to look at.

The positions are fun

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It would be nice if it could become a continuing trend. Seasonal and local variations would be good.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Gotta love osaka and Kansai people so very different from the stuffiness of tokyoites

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Good for who, or whom ever it was, the garb in those pic's was tastefully done and showed some class. I wonder if it was a design school prank or dare. I say let them do it again, with the blessings of the mayor!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Thanks JT for not providing any pictures and just letting all of our imaginations run wild?? Thank god regular Japanese tv news did provide PLENTY of PICTURES! Real cute to see all of these statues with ALL RED dresses etc..

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXGgdu6YWXo

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Saw the photos and it looks great.. Obviously someone creative put some time into this. Why not have exhibitions, maybe even a competition for awards.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Great stuff! NHK gave a good visual report last night. I bet it's design school students (like Yubaru said), though one comment on tv was that it probably was not dress designers, because it was paper sprayed red, not red cloth...

I'm waiting for the next color!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I've seen the photos. Nice!

JT - how about attaching a photo or two here?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I wonder if it was the same person who added a flourscent orange crossing guard vest to a the statue of a daimyo on horseback in front of the art museum in my city. This could turn into a national pasttime.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I always thought it was nice to see that someone would put red scarves, red winter hats etc..on those BOSATSUS, statues of boddhisatvas in Japan in the winter time and I never heard anyone complain about this.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The frat brothers are at it again? Wait, this is Japan. Neat prank though.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This story has to me the same fascination that the crop circle stories have. How could this person have done this without being seen? I agree with the other poster: this is infinitely preferable to spray paint or graffiti.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

According to "Oxford Dictionary" a prank is a practicle joke among other things. To my eyes this is street art.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Maybe Cristo the artist has visited.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Would have been nice if JT included some photos.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This sort of thing was done as a part of an art festival in Sydney, and it was great to see all the statues around the place all dressed up for the occasion. If it seems popular at the moment in Osaka after it was done, it would be great to see it return in an official capacity for festivals, etc.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

After walking by it it was a unique change

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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