I recently interviewed Edward Harrison, the author and photographer behind “Idle Idol,” a book that catalogues many of the countless plastic mascots that stand vigil outside of stores in Japan. They tend to be life-size or much smaller.
But here in Kawaguchi, a northern suburb of Tokyo, I have found a couple of exceptions to that rule. Allow me to introduce the Kawaguchi incarnation of Marilyn Monroe…
The original Marilyn had her skirt lofted by the wind of a subway train passing beneath a sidewalk grate, but Mega-Marilyn is tall enough to get the same effect from passing traffic in the street.
My, what big thighs she has.
Mega-Marilyn’s job, which she seems to do well, is to attract attention to Nihon Kikai, a local company that makes signs. A photo gallery on the firm’s website shows that much of the work they’ve done for other companies is nicer-looking than the signage on their own building.
She’s got legs that could stop traffic. Incidentally, the tall building seen a block away and across the street is a hospital whose rooftop nameplate is another example of Nihon Kikai’s work.
Truth to be told, however, she looks a bit more like Princess Diana than Marilyn Monroe.
Tags: Kawaguchi, Marilyn Monroe, Mega-Marilyn
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