Tiger Mask
Cash in the mail to pay for kids’ Christmas gifts supposedly comes from Demon Slayer and PreCure stars.
What a week, eh? Hayao Miyazaki’s retirement was announced, the creator of Attack on Titan has annoyed fans with his “poor” drawings, a massive boulder nearly smashed a car, and, worst of all, a freaking tornado ripped up a chunk of Japan! We sure could use some good, light-hearted news.
Well, how about this story of a man who donated 100,000 yen (US$1,000) to one of the elementary schools ravaged by the tornado…in one of the most unusual ways ever!
On Christma Day, 2010, an anonymous donor left ten 30,000 yen ($360) randoseru backpacks outside a Japanese orphanage in Gunma Prefecture. Attached to the bags was a card signed by Naoto Date, the secret identity of fictional Japanese wrestler Tiger Mask, who, in the popular 1960s manga by the same name, fought for orphans after being raised in an orphanage himself.
The story was picked up by the press and a week later, on January 1, 2011, a similar donation of backpacks was left at an orphanage in Kangawa Prefecture, again with a note signed by Naoto Date. By January 11, over 100 “Tiger Mask” donations, ranging from backpacks to toys, food, and monetary gifts, had been reported at various children’s facilities across the country.
After that, little was heard from Tiger Mask, aside a second donation to the original orphanage in Gunma on Christmas Day, 2011, which failed to inspire a wave of charity as it had the previous year.
Has Tiger Mask forgotten about the children of Japan?
MOST POPULAR
Now
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Tokyo’s downtown Chuo Line now has first-class Green Car carriages for no additional cost to ride
Weekly
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses- One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range- Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools- This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli characters
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Monthly
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”- Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers- Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Tokyo’s downtown Chuo Line now has first-class Green Car carriages for no additional cost to ride
Makers of Dassai to brew sake in space and sell 100 milliliters for 100 million yen
This Nara workshop has been making deer crackers for more than 100 years and offers tours【Photos】
Convenience store fried chicken going into school lunches in Japan for Family Mart anniversary
Android app allegedly allows users to find and hire muscle to beat up whomever they want
Tokyo hairstylist performs makeover magic in amazing before/after haircut video
Japanese son handmakes Buddhist altar for deceased mother out of deeply touching materials
Is Japan’s new Asahi Super Dry beer better or worse than the original formula?
Japanese Internet sad to see the word “chikan” becoming commonly used in English
Does Japan’s T.M. Revolution J-rock cake really look like the song it’s named after?
-
