A true artist.

by default 2014-11-01 at 3.15.51 PM.JPG

About 30 years ago, I happened to see a young street performer in Harajuku. He was doing something called The Living Museum.  I think he was about the same age I was. 

About 15 years ago, I saw the same guy on the train and I spoke to him for a few minutes. He told me that he was still doing the same performance. I remember him telling me that he had recently gone to New York and performed there. 

Last week, I went to Ueno Park, and there he was--still doing the same performance. 

In other words, he has been doing the same street performance for 30 years or more.  Now he's not so young, but he's still going around Japan--and maybe around the world--entertaining people with the same performance.  

Maybe there are people who make more with their art, but I don't think there is a more true artist in the world.  He has won my respect!


From Wikipedia...

雪竹 太郎(ゆきたけ たろう)は日本の大道芸人。「人間美術館」という題名で、自らの体、その場の景色や観衆までも用いて彫刻や絵画を表現する。
1978年、早稲田大学第一文学部入学、演劇専攻に進学。1982年、千葉大学教育学部に入学するも中退。1980年代後半より渋谷でパフォーマンスを始める。1992年には静岡市主催の「第1回大道芸ワールドカップin静岡」で初代ワールドカップチャンピオン(ワールドカップ部門とジャパンカップ部門のダブル受賞)となる。 現在もヘブンアーティストとして東京都内などの日本だけでなく世界を股に掛け活動している。
まだ、「大道芸人」という存在が認められていなかった当時から「大道芸とは何なのか、どうあるべきなのか」多数の文章を発表。世界中の街角に立ち続けた経験から、大道芸人の理論武装に取り組んできた一面もある。

 

I found this 2007 video on Youtube. As far as I can tell, his performance hasn't changed in 30 years.  

If you happen to see him somewhere, stop and watch, and give him a 100 yen for me!