Kagu Mamoru Kun Poster

🧍‍♂️ Meet Miyakojima Mamoru-kun: The Island’s Watchful Guardian Mamoru-kun is a beloved local icon on Miyako Island in Okinawa, Japan. These life-sized, police officer-shaped figures are installed across the island to promote **traffic safety** and remind drivers to stay alert. With their charming uniforms and stoic expressions, Mamoru-kun statues have become more than just safety symbols—they’re **cultural mascots** and popular photo spots for tourists. There are over **20 unique Mamoru-kun figures**, each with a different name and facial expression. They’re often accompanied by their sister figure, **Mamoruko-chan**, who shares the same mission of keeping the roads safe. Each statue is handmade, giving it a distinct personality, and many are placed at intersections or near schools to encourage cautious driving. 🔤 What does “Mamoru-kun” mean? The name “Mamoru” (守る) in Japanese means *to protect”* or *to guard.”* The suffix “-kun” (くん) is a friendly honorific typically used for boys or younger men. So, “Mamoru-kun” can be affectionately translated as *Little Protector”* or *Guardian Boy.* It perfectly captures the figure’s role as a gentle yet vigilant overseer of road safety.