Creative Bicyclist Takes Artistic Photos Around Tokyo

Tokyo Instagrammer Mamoru Kanai has always been good at riding bicycles, and he creatively shows off his skills in the ongoing series titled Riding Pop. The entire thing appears on Instagram under his username @mamotoraman, and it features him performing one-wheeled bicycle tricks in front of various Tokyo locales. Kanai's stunts include “wheelies” (standing on the back wheel) and “stoppies” (standing on the front wheel).

Throughout the Instagrammer's colorful series, we see that a friend skillfully photographed him in front of murals, passing trains, and on bridges. Everything is normally captured in a single shot, and Kanai will try and hold the position for as long as he can. He'll even challenge himself to perform the tricks while seated (you might normally see people standing up).

There's a fun, lighthearted feeling to these images, and it's partially because of the bike that Kanai has chosen to ride. Instead of using a technical bicycle, he rides a mamachari. It's the most generic type of bike in Japan that is often equipped with a basket or a child seat. “The most significant point about these portraits,” he explains to Instagram, “is the irony of performing stunts on ordinary bicycles that are made for moms with kids.”

Mamoru Kanai Instagram
via [Instagram Blog]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content