HOME > NEWS > 2015 > Debut of Tokyo City University Junior and Senior High School Mascot Character "Toshimaro."
Debut of Tokyo City University Junior and Senior High School Mascot Character "Toshimaro."
Have you heard of yuru-chara? They are cute, costumed mascot characters created by local organizations to promote their activities. The requirement for a yuru-chara is that they must look soft, round and adorable, but not too put together (yurui means ‘loose’). The newest addition to Japan’s stable of yuru-chara is the mascot of Tokyo City University Junior and Senior High School, Toshimaro.! Toshi comes from the Japanese name of the school, Tokyo Toshi, and maro refers to a custom of the historical Japanese aristocracy of painting circles on their shaven eyebrows. As you can see in the image below, Toshimaro. has small, round eyebrows, and is wearing the school uniform.
Toshimaro. was born from a design competition led by the student council. There were over one hundred entries, and Toshimaro. won by popular vote. A key point of Toshimaro.’s design is his oak leaf topknot, inspired by the school logo. His creator, Hayato Nakata (high school senior) said, “I wanted him to be round so he would be loved by everyone. I’m very happy that he’s gone down well, and that they made him into a costume for us.” Toshimaro. will make special appearances at school open days and at the school culture festival.
By the way, according to Toshimaro., he is male, likes girls with short hair and his best feature is his beak.
Photo caption:Those involved in the design of Toshimaro. From L-R,Principal Ono,Nakata-kun,Toshimaro.,Kura-kun,Endo-kun
