Immortal Bird "Mejiron", 1st Anniversary after National Sport Festivals

Oita Godo Newspaper (evening edition on September 22, 2009)

"Mejiron" was born to be a mascot of the 63^rd National Sport Festival and the 8^th National Sport Festival for disabled held at Oita in September and October, 2008. It is well known and beloved by the people of Oita. However, there seems to be a cloud hanging over the popularity of it which maybe because its boom has passed for long. Here is a story of the 1^st anniversary of Mejiron.

After the two National Sport Festivals finished, Majiron was switched its duty from the PR of the events to the "Chou (meaning bird)", a part of Oita supporting team. Whenever there is a sport event at school, a cultural event, or other kinds of sport event at inside or outside Oita prefecture, Mejiron serves its responsibility to cheer up. According to the public relation center of Oita, 12 Mejiron dresses are under the care of the office with the high popularity thus there are many times when dresses are fully reserved during weekends.

"Mejiron Dance", which was created since the mentioned National Sport Festivals, is still danced by children at nursery schools and the children love to do it, too.

Those mentioned sound like Majiron is still popular but actually he is not that. We can rarely find him at shops in towns now since many shopkeepers decided not to keep him at the shops after the events done. Referring to sales through the internet of a company called "Itodanemu" which has approximately 100 types of Majiron goods,"we are still selling them currently but from 20,000,000 yen sales before, it became just only 100,000 yen per month. The orders come from outside more than inside of Oita" said the company. 

Comment: As I wrote before, I have participated in the opening ceremonies of the both events thus I knew Mejiron since he was born. Even though I didn't do the Majiron dance but I think he is cute and has become a symbol of Oita in the view of people from other prefectures. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep him alive for people to forever remind the days of the National Sport Festivals in Oita as well as Oita prefecture itself , but that needs the support from Oita residents first.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University