Japanese monks: 'I can do this in monk's robes' videos shared online

Japanese monks: 'I can do this in monk's robes' videos shared online
4 January 2019
BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46755438
Japanese monks have been skipping, skating and juggling to show how unrestrictive their traditional attire is.

It comes after a monk was fined by police for driving while wearing a kimono because it "could affect safe driving", according to the Yomiuri Shimbun.

Monk’s traffic ticket for driving in robe causes a stir
3:58 pm, December 29, 2018
The Japan News
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0005449312

He has refused to pay the traffic ticket of 6,000 yen ($55; £43).

And the Buddhist community has come out to show its support online.

Monks have been posting videos of themselves on Twitter doing agile acts with the hashtag "I can do this in monks' robes".

And it's not just skipping ropes - many of them are taking on more ambitious pursuits.

The monk was stopped by police last September while on his way to a Buddhist memorial service in Japan's Fukui province, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

The article was only published in December and seems to be what has sparked the now viral hashtag.

The officer reportedly said that the "sleeves and length" of his robes would affect his driving, the newspaper said.

Road traffic law prohibits the driving of a vehicle in clothes that may affect safe driving, but not all Buddhist monk robes are subject to the violation, Yomiuri cited an official as saying, leaving the rules vague.

The monk, who has not been named but described as in his 40s, said he had been driving for 20 years in monks robes and had never been fined.

He could face trial under local traffic laws if he does not pay the traffic fine.