Translated from the original article at: http://tsukuba.keizai.biz/headline/381/
The Eggplant Man, having arrived to Tsukuba.
In order to deliver funds to the Hojo area's tornado damaged Tsukuba City, Yuu Suzuki (The Eggplant Man) set off from Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture. Dressed in costume, he called out for donations as he traveled by bike. On May 26th, he safely arrived in Tsukuba, presenting both the fund collection and his bike to the city.
His bike his only partner, the Eggplant Man gathers funds along his journey.
"Hearing about the tornado damage on the news, I remembered a bike at my house that wasn't in use. In order to raise funds and deliver some smiles in between all the stories of disaster, I decided to set off with the bike." said Suzuki. Over a period of 6 days, he crossed a distance of 650 kilometers (404 miles). Riding over 100 kilometers (62 miles) on the first day, he considered what actions to take from there.
(On day one) Mr. Suzuki got news that the locals of Tsukuba were preparing for his arrival, doing such things as drawing illustrations of the eggplant man to welcome him. "The locals awaiting my arrival, people assisting me, the strange eggplant man, with donations, the encouragement people have given me...this has all been wonderful." said Suzuki.
At the beginning, asking for donations while dressed up in normal clothes didn't go to well. Daring to wear a costume to gather attention, he bought the eggplant outfit along the way. After becoming the eggplant man, word began spreading about him. He started to gather both momentum and more donations.
"The biggest problem was getting through Hakone. Getting pelted by the rain while biking the mountain roads was painful. Most of the time, I was pushing my bike while walking. I arrived to the descent, which destroyed my bike's brakes on the way down. In the end, for this journey, the bike repair costs alone totaled over 5,000 yen ($63). Of course, I didn't use any of the funds I raised. If didn't have to invest in repairs, I would have liked to put that money into the donation box." said Suzuki.
"On the 3rd day, I received bike repair donations from my friends at home, knowing what I went through in Hakone, riding with low spirits. That time was wonderfully painful," Suzuki added with a laugh.
"I heard of the conditions at Tsukuba and the increasing worries of the locals. Anywhere where people are effected by disaster, my feelings go out to them. Worried about the residents of Tsukuba, I began my walk towards them. Though dressed as an eggplant, I truly feel this is the best appearance I’ve put on. After this is over, I'll once again think of whatever I can do to bring out my inner strength."
"Arriving to the Hojo area, I still wasn't done collecting money. I didn't even need the Eggplant costume anymore. The entire country now wanted to assist and donate. I could expect anyone to lend their power. My chance must have come."
"I'm requesting for the whole country to continue helping the restoration of the Hojo area." Having giving his bike to the city, Suzuki is now on his way to return the repair funds he received from friends. Still dressed as an eggplant, he hitchhikes his way back home.
Original text:
自転車移動の「ナス男」、つくば到着－寄付金届け地元民も歓迎
（2012年05月29日）
つくばに到着した「ナス男」
竜巻被害のあったつくば市北条地区に自転車と寄付金を届けるため、兵庫県明石市から自転車で募金を呼び掛けながら走行していた、着ぐるみをかぶった「ナス男」こと鈴木佑さんが5月26日、つくば市に無事到着し寄付金と自転車を寄贈した。
【画像】相棒だった自転車と、道中で集めた募金を寄付するナス男
鈴木さんは「竜巻被害のニュースを聞いて、使っていない自転車が自宅にあるのを思い出した。被災地に笑顔と話題を届けるため、募金活動も兼ねて自転車をこいで向かう事を決めた」という。6日間の移動で、計650キロの距離を走破した。1日100キロ以上の距離を走れたのは、現地を思っての行動だったからだという。
現地では情報を聞きつけた地元住民らが鈴木さんを待ち構え、ナス男のイラストが描かれた幕などを持ち到着を歓迎した。鈴木さんは「地元の人が待っていてくれた事、こんな怪しいナス男に募金の協力をしてくれた事、そして応援してくれる人がいた事、それらが何よりもうれしかった」と話す。
当初は普段の服装で走行していたが募金活動がうまくいかず、あえて目立つ格好で注目を浴びようと、道中で着ぐるみを購入した。ナス男となってからは話しかけられる事も多くなり、募金も順調に集まり始めたという。
「一番大変だったのは箱根越え。雨に打たれながら山道を走るのはつらかった。ほとんど自転車を押して歩いた。下り坂もきつく、途中で自転車のブレーキも壊れてしまった。結局、今回の道中、自転車の修理費だけで5,000円以上を使ってしまった。もちろん募金のお金には手を付けていないが、修理せず募金箱に同額を入れた方が良かったかも」と鈴木さん。
「3日目の時点で、現地の友人から自転車の寄付は足りている事を知らされて衝撃を受けたが、気にせず走った。その時もけっこうつらかったかもしれない（笑）」とも。
「現地の状況や地元の人たちの話を聞いて恐ろしさが増した。どこでも起こり得る災害だけに人ごとには思えなかった。心配していたが、地元の人たちは前を向いて歩き始めている。その姿は本当にかっこいいと感じた。あらためて、今後も何かの力になっていきたいと思う」と鈴木さん。
「現地の北条地区ではまだまだお金が足りない。ナスの姿になる必要は無いが、募金の協力を全国規模で行ってもらいたい。誰でも何かの力になれるはず。そのきっかけになれれば」とも。
「北条地区の復興と全国からのさらなる支援を願っています」と話し、自転車を寄付し帰る手段を失った「ナス男」鈴木さんは、ナスの格好のままヒッチハイクで帰路に就いた。
