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All Japan Tokyo Little Peeing Monk of Tokyo

Little Peeing Monk of Tokyo

This Japanese Manneken Pis gets new outfits for every occasion.

Tokyo, Japan

Added By
shiliohua
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Peeing boy waits for the Yamanote line in his rainy season wear.   shiliohua / Atlas Obscura User
Peeing boy waits for the Yamanote line in his rainy season wear.   shiliohua / Atlas Obscura User
The Japanese Manneken Pis in the firefighter costume.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The “little peeing monk” in March, 2020.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Peeing boy at the end of Platform 3/4.   shiliohua / Atlas Obscura User
Peeing boy dressed for the rainy season.   shiliohua / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Inspired by the famous Belgian statue Manneken Pis, urinating boy statues are popular in Japan and can be found in various locations. But the "the little peeing monk" of Hamamatsuchō Station in central Tokyo may be the most iconic of such imitations.

Originally gifted to the station by a dentist in 1952, it is famous for its extensive wardrobe, changing clothes every single month for over 30 years. 

The work is done by a volunteer handicraft group called Ajisai, who was at first asked by the local fire department to make a firefighter costume for the Peeing Boy as part of their fire prevention campaign in November 1986.

Ever since then, the group has been responsible for the statue's costumes, which often reflect seasonal events (such as the plum rain) and current topics (such as the Olympic Games), except for March and November, during which it can be found wearing a firefighter outfit.

The statue is known to English speakers as the Little Peeing Monk, a literal translation of its Japanese name, Shōben-kozō (小便小僧). However, the word kozō's meaning has changed over the centuries, and it simply means "boy" or "kid" today, so the correct translation would be "the little peeing boy".

Related Tags

Monks Peeing Statues Statues Manneken Pis

Know Before You Go

As the statue stands on Platforms 3-4, it can be accessible only from inside Hamamatsuchō Station.

The Ajisai volunteers change its costumes on the 26th of every month, at 1 p.m., except Saturday and Sunday, in which case the changing will take place on the day before or after.

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Added By

shiliohua

Edited By

Fred Cherrygarden, Collector of Experiences

  • Fred Cherrygarden
  • Collector of Experiences

Published

June 19, 2019

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Sources
  • https://everybodyhatesatourist.net/trip-reports/travel-diaries-photos/the-little-peeing-monk-statue-in-tokyo-japan/#.XQulMtNKjOQ
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066451-d8483239-Reviews-Little_Peeing_Monk_Statue-Minato_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
Little Peeing Monk of Tokyo
1-chōme-3 Kaiga
Minato City
Tokyo, 105-0022
Japan
35.655381, 139.757129
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Related Places

  • Chiayi City, Taiwan

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    A bronze, peeing self-portrait protests unequal inheritance rights.

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    Copenhagen, Denmark

    'Tisseren' ('The Pee-er')

    An unconventional and naturalistic sculpture depicting the artist marking his territory on an exterior faculty wall.

  • Garderobe Manneken Pis

    Brussels, Belgium

    Garderobe Manneken Pis

    Belgium’s famous peeing statue has worn many hats (and coats, and pants), which are on display at this small museum.

  • Boy and Frog.

    Kansas City, Missouri

    Boy and Frog Fountain

    A beloved, quirky little fountain featuring a large frog spitting water at a naked boy.

  • The fountain.

    Fontainebleau, France

    Fontaine de Diane (Fountain of Diana)

    Peeing dogs guard the Roman hunting goddess atop a fountain at France’s Château de Fontainebleau.

  • Peeing Boy with valley below

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    Peeing Boy of Iya Valley

    A statue erected on an infamous cliff where young boys would hold dangerous "pee offs" to prove their mettle.

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    Helsinki, Finland

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    This endearingly discomfited urinating statue commemorates the sneaky pees had by us all.

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