The following photograph-packed article is about Giant Snake
sideshows
as seen at midways of state fairs in the United States. This
manuscript was produced by Dr. Eriko N. Bond, noted art critic
and New York City author, as told by Takeshi Yamada. Efforts
were made to feature giant snakes and giant snake sideshows in a
proper perspective in the cultural anthropology and visual
anthropology. Takeshi Yamada is one of the most influential and
active educators in New York City with several dozens of awards,
recognitions and nominations including two “Key to the City”
from Mayors, “Who’s Who in America”, “One Thousand Great
Americans”, “International
Educator of the Year”. He has also taught classes and
given public lectures at over 40 educational institutions
internationally. Yamada is also a prolific author of article
publications including 11 published books, and an artist with
over 500 fine art exhibitions with his paintings and sculptures
exhibited internationally in Spain, the Netherlands, Canada,
Japan and the United States.
In addition, rogue
taxidermy artworks, sideshow gaffs, large sideshow banners and
showfronts created by Yamada in the last 40 years have been
exhibited at dozens of state fairs and festivals annually even
today around the nation.
TAKESHI YAMADA
ON
GIANT SNAKE SHOWS
Coney Island Sideshow and Beyond
Article by Dr. Eriko N. Bond as told by Takeshi Yamada
Chapter 13
Takeshi Yamada with the cast-off skin of 20-foot & 300-pound
giant snake
at Museum of World Wonders in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York.
(Photograph by Joanna Ebenstein, April 7, 2007)
In the previous chapters, snake-worshipping religions including
Shintoism (the national religion of Japan and the family
religion of Takeshi Yamada for many centuries) and their unique
religious view points on sacred giant snakes were featured.
Snakes are connected with renewal or regeneration in religions
and mythologies around the world. This trait is connected with
the practice of snakes shedding their old skin and growing a new
one. The unique symbolism of snake skins (and cast-off snake
skins) is very important for many religions.
This chapter features how Takeshi
Yamada used cast-off snake skins for his creative life such as
artworks, Cabinet of Curiosities, fine art performances
(recorded in photographs and films), Museum of World Wonders,
and circus sideshows.
Snake Skins (Part 3)
Snake Skins
Example #5: Cast-off Giant Snake Skins
of Takeshi Yamada, which were Displayed at Museum of World
Wonders, American Museum of Natural History, and Brooklyn Public
Library
As stated in the previous chapter with great detail, the
cast-off skin of the giant snake (nearly 20 foot and 300 pound
python) of the nation-wide traveling circus sideshow of Four C
Productions became the collection of the Museum of World Wonders
of Takeshi Yamada in 2006. The cast-off skin of the giant snake
has been displayed at Museum of World Wonders and used for the
public pine art performances by Takeshi Yamada for years. .
This giant cast-off snake skin (and about 50 attractions, mostly
rogue taxidermy works of Yamada) was also displayed at American
Museum of Natural History on the occasion of the live rogue
taxidermy demonstrations by Takeshi Yamada on June 24, 2007. It
was one of the special events of “Mythic Creatures: Dragons,
Unicorns, & Mermaids” exhibition there. For more information,
see following article entitled Takeshi Yamada at “Mythic
Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, & Mermaids” of American Museum of
Natural History, New York, New York by this author as
told by Takeshi Yamada.
http://sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt1.html
http://sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt2.html
http://sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt3.html
http://sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt4.html
The front main entrance of the American Museum of Natural
History in New York, New York,
displaying the banner for the “Mythic Creatures’ exhibition.
(2007, Photo copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
http://sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt1.html
Exhibition flyer (back and front) of the Mythic Creatures:
Dragons, Unicorens & Mermaids exhibition at American Museum of
Natural History in Ne York, New York during 2007 and 2008.
(Photograph by Takeshi Yamada)
http://sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt1.html
Takeshi Yamada at work on the rogue taxidermy Mermaid Baby
At his public art demonstration on June 24, 2007
at American Museum of natural History in New York, New York.
The cast-off skin of the giant python was suspended and
displayed at the front of the center table.
(June 24, 2007, Photo copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
http://sideshowworld.com/TY-MysticC-Pt3.html
Portions of this impressive giant snake’s shed skins have been
also on display at Museum of World Wonders and Brooklyn Public
Library - Coney Island branch in Coney Island. This special
exhibition with three Cabinets of Curiosities by Takeshi Yamada
at Brooklyn Public Library is one of many “community outreach
programs” of the Museum of World Wonders for years. Yamada gave
art lectures about Coney Island circus sideshows, cabinet of
curiosities, and rogue taxidermy and other fascinating topics
for public for years at the main auditorium of this active
library in Coney Island.
Brooklyn Public Library – Coney Island Branch in Coney Island,
Brooklyn, New York
(2007, Photo copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
Pam and Takeshi Yamada at his Cabinet of Curiosities #2 at
Brooklyn Public Library - Coney Island branch.
(April 7, 2007. Coney Island Library, Brooklyn, New York,
Photograph by Joanna Ebenstein)
The cast-off skin of the nearly 20-foot giant snake is on
display (lower middle) among other curiosities here
at the cabinet of Curiosities #2 of Takeshi Yamada at the
Brooklyn Public Library - Coney Island branch.
(April 26, 2007. Coney Island Library, Brooklyn, New York, Photo
copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
Detail of the cast-off skin of the giant snake (python, nearly
20 foot long and 300 lb)
The American quarter dollar coin is 24mm (15/16 inch).
“Each scale of this mosnter snake is truly gigantic and
sublime”, Takeshi Yamada stated.
(September 5, 2009, Photo copyright by Takeshi Yamada)
Needless to say, the cast-off skin of this giant python snake is
not just one of the curiosity specimens for the special
exhibition (year-to-year long term contract, semi-permanent
exhibition) at the Public library in Coney Island. In reality,
it is a powerful amulet for bringing fortune to this library and
protecting it and people there from disasters such as flood,
illness, and fires.
(For more information, see the short Note entitled “Snake Skin
Buddhist Amulets” at the end of this chapter.)
For more
information about the Cabinet of Curiosities, see following
article entitled Takeshi Yamada on the Art of the Cabinet
of Curiosities by this author as told by Takeshi Yamada.
