Posted on 10/10/2002 5:20:42 PM PDT by altair
Yomiuri Shimbun
Hundreds of padlocks bearing messages of love and affection have been attached to a railing at Venus Bridge in Chuo Ward, Kobe, much to the consternation of local authorities.
Attaching padlocks to the railing became popular after an Internet site and several youth magazines said doing so would guarantee couples everlasting love.
The padlocks pose a dilemma for the local government. An official said the railing could not be repainted as long as the padlocks remained, but realized the government would be criticized as unfeeling if it removed them.
The bridge, near Suwayama Park in northern Kobe, is near a hill used by French astronomers to observe Venus in the early Meiji era (1868-1912).
Built in 1971, it has become a popular dating spot because of its convenient location, its unobstructed view of Kobe city and port, and the fact that it is named after the Roman Goddess of love and beauty.
It is not known when the first padlock appeared, but by May 2000 there were about 60 attached to the railing. The number has soared to about 800 in the past two years.
They carry such messages as: "Together forever," and "We want to have children."
Copyright 2002 The Yomiuri Shimbun
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