The miracle man of Shimokitazawa

http://www.japantimes.co.jp

By ROB GILHOOLY
Staff writer

Self-professed "Miracle Man of the World" Masahiko Hirota sits me
down on his massage table and quickly locates the knot just to the
left of my right shoulder blade that has been bugging me for days.
Closing my eyes, for an instant I am gratefully transported away as
my knot is gradually unraveled by Hirota's magical fingertips.

Akahige-sensei gives another free massage.
Suddenly, there's a piercing squeal in my left ear, and I am
returned to reality by a group of teenage girls who are walking past
with a look of amusement. Then, I remember: I'm getting a back
massage in the middle of the main shopping street in Shimokitazawa.

"Wanna give it a shot?" Hirota calls out to one of them. "It really
doesn't hurt." Few of the thousands who have been caught in Hirota's
entrancing grip would disagree.

An expert practitioner of reflexology, chiropractics, aromatherapy
and acupuncture, Hirota, or "Akahige-sensei" as he prefers to be
known, has been soothing back pains and stiff shoulders for over
three decades. And over 30,000 of his clients have never paid a
penny for his pummeling.

On the wall behind his massage table are taped a dozen or so self-
penned posters, the most conspicuous of which is a red-and-black "0
yen." Hirota is quick to point out that his muryo massaji (free
massage) principle does not always apply.

On some, indeterminate days ("I see how I feel in the morning"),
cost can be determined by how proficient you are at janken (paper,
stone, scissors). If you beat Akahige-sensei, you'll pay a grand
total of 1 yen (if under 21 years old), 5 yen (21-29-year-olds) or
10 yen (over 30). If you lose . . . the same charges apply.

"Times are hard. I had to think of a way to generate some cash,"
Hirota said with a grin. On birthdays, anniversaries "or if you just
feel like you have something to celebrate," the 0 yen principle
stands, he adds. "I basically offer this for young people who have
no cash. I thought back to my youth . . . and how hard I tried not
to have any money."

Hirota said another reason that he started providing roadside
therapy in the early 1980s was due to a rise in spinal problems
among young people, he said. "I thought this did not bode well for
their future," he said. "It's better now, but I can't think of a
reason to stop."

On weekdays, Hirota practices at his clinic, which is located near
his roadside spot not far from Shimokitazawa Station. His customers
have included some well-known TV and movie celebrities. Among them
are Charles Bronson and Toshiro Mifune, who gave Hirota his "Akahige-
sensei" title after he cured the celebrated actor of a back problem
in the early 1970s.

Those wanting to experience Akahige-sensei's magic are advised to
also indulge in his unique sense of humor, which is rather like a
cross between Monty Python and Beat Takeshi.

Among his equipment is a long stick and a kettle. If you're stuck
for something to say, just ask him what they're for (though the
explanation might offend delicate ears). That should start the ball
rolling.