Disclaimer: The author of this article is in no way prejudiced against random acts of excessive nudity. After all, there is nothing quite like letting it all hang out, and enjoying the feeling of a gentle breeze or a rush of cool water against your sensitive bits and pieces. With that said, there are times when it’s not appropriate to wear your birthday suit!
Earlier this week, Tokyo police arrested a naked Briton for skinny-dipping in the Imperial moat that surrounds the palace of Emperor Akihito. The man shocked onlookers as he parted the waters in a gentle breaststroke, and playfully splashed the cops that were chasing him in a rowboat.
The high-speed chase, um, low-speed regatta, was filmed by local TV crews and photographed by onlookers, all of whom seemed to delight in the random display of flesh. As the pursuit reached its heated climax, the Briton pulled himself out of the water, and proceeded to climb the 25-foot stone wall of the palace.
Unfortunately for him, police were waiting at the top, and promptly clothed him and arrested him – roughly in that order.
Keep on reading as the craziness continues…
(Photo taken by the Associated Press (AP) in Tokyo)
Since the arrest earlier this week, the Tokyo police have been extremely hesitant to release information about the naked Briton until they can figure out his intended motives. What is known is that the man is in his 40s, presently lives in Spain, and was visiting the moat with several of his Spanish blokes.
The real issue, at least in the eyes of the police, is whether the man was simply looking for his fifteen minutes of fame, or if he had more nefarious plans such as targeting the royal family. At the time of the incident, a government official confirmed that Emperor Akihito and his family were in the imperial palace.
Onlookers noted that the man had dropped a bag in the water, but the light-hearted nature of the scene that played out seemed incongruous with a terrorist or assasination plot. According to one unidentified man at the scene, “I’ve never heard of anyone doing such a thing. He must be a bit crazy.”
The Imperial Palace (皇居, kōkyo) lies at the heart of Tokyo, and is surrounded by 12 moats running for four miles in all.
Tourists are permitted to walk freely around the periphery of the palace, but the actual palace grounds are strictly off-limits. If you book in advance, it is possible to arrange a group tour of the royal quarters, though space is extremely limited, and you will be subject to intense security screenings.
Given the generally reclusive nature of the royal family, it’s reasonably safe to assume that prosecutors aren’t going to view this latest incident with anything less than a harsh application of the law. Let’s just hope that the as of yet unnamed Briton managed to enjoy his swim as it might be his last for quite some time.
** Images of the Imperial Palace courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **