●Nathan Shiga: September 1, 2017

A Japanese equivalent of Jimmy Dean, the late Yujiro Ishihara, “bade farewell” to his years-long fans, August 31, as the museum in his memory closed its 26 years of history that day.

The legendary singing actor passed away in 1987 and a museum opened in his memory in 1991 – Ishihara Yujiro Memorial Museum housing 20 thousand pieces of his belongings from costumes to vintage cars.

Yujiro Ishihara debuted in 1956 in a film “Season of the Sun” based on a novel of the same title by his brother Shintaro Ishihara, the former Governor of Tokyo. Like Jimmy Dean, Yujiro Ishihara was looked upon as a symbol of youth and died a rather abrupt death leaving behind generations of ardent fans. The museum built in his memory attracted them over the past 26 years. The structure has deteriorated over the years and visitors fade in number.

The museum was crowded with Yujiro fans from all over Japan and his wife, Makiko Ishihara, and former associates were there to receive them.

In the interview at the closing ceremony, Makiko Ishihara commented:

“I feel awfully sad to see this museum fade away but I’m sure my husband is so thankful to you all, for your 26 years of friendship and patronage.”

Hiroshi Tate, a close associate of Yujiro, commented:

“You all know Yujiro-san was a cheerful fellow. So why not see him off cheerfully, not with tears?”

A 69-year-old man from Yokohama said he had long been a paparazzo after Yujiro and felt as sad as he had had to see him physically pass away.

A woman from Sapporo, age 72, used to visit the museum every month to “meet” Yujiro Ishihara who was to her an “everlasting idol”. “I’m terribly sad,” she sighed.

Yujiro’s vintage cars are donated to the City of Otaru.

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