オフィシャル
Manneken Pis in front of Meijiza Theatre
A Manneken Pis stands at the entrance of a promenade in front of the Meijiza Theatre. Almost nobody seems to notice it, or if they do, they don’t pay it much attention. I suppose that's just as well, since it's not particularly rare and has no historical value. However, it may become a popular landmark in Chuo Ward.
The Original Manneken Pis and Its Presence in Japan
The original Manneken Pis is a statue and landmark in Brussels, Belgium. Although it has no direct relation to Japan, many replicas were installed across the country after World War II. One reason is that post-war, statues with no political implications, like the Manneken Pis, were preferred over those of military personnel. Many Japanese people have likely seen a replica at least once in their lives, whether in a park or the gardening section of a DIY store. The Manneken Pis standing on the platform of JR Hamamatsucho station is quite famous and has been loved since it was installed in 1952.
Difficulty in Recalling Other Manneken Pis!
While the Manneken Pis is not uncommon, I can only remember the ones in front of Meijiza Theatre and at Hamamatsucho station. Even after searching online, I found several Manneken Pis statues in Tokyo, but not as many as ten. This might be because they are not rare enough to be noteworthy, but it is also true that the number of these statues in Japan is decreasing due to urban redevelopment and landscaping. If this trend continues, there is a risk of them disappearing, much like sparrows becoming as rare as ibises.
Manneken Pis in front of Meijiza Theatre
History of the Manneken Pis in front of Meijiza Theatre
Unfortunately, there is no signboard explaining the history of the Manneken Pis in front of the Meijiza Theatre. I tried searching online but couldn't find any information about it. Everything about this statue remains a mystery.
Manneken Pis in front of Meijiza Theatre
The large building seen in the background is Meijiza Theatre
Let's Make the Manneken Pis a Landmark and Modern Heritage of Chuo Ward
I had passed by this statue many times, aware of its existence but never paying much attention to it. I'm sure others have done the same. However, upon closer inspection, I found that there are surprisingly few of these statues, making them worth preserving. There is a possibility that this statue will be removed in the future during area developments. Before that happens, it would be a good idea to raise awareness about its value and turn it into a new tourist attraction. Right now, no one pays attention to this statue, including myself, but isn't it fun to imagine if this statue becomes famous thanks to our attention?
Isn't it fun to imagine if this statue becomes famous thanks to our attention?