‘Top Clown in Japan’ Known for Performances in Hospitals Dies Aged 88

By Joji Takagai / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

20:00 JST, March 31, 2026

NAGOYA — Teruo Kajiwara, who spent more than 20 years as a clown bringing smiles to children in medical facilities, died at 88 in February.

Known for his comical makeup and clumsy performances, Kajiwara of Nagoya gained popularity at home and abroad.

Remembered as the “top clown in Japan,” Kajiwara will be honored with a memorial by the Nagoya-based nonprofit organization Hospital Clown Japan during regular performances on Saturday and Sunday at the Chikusa Bunka Shogekijo theater in Nagoya.

Kajiwara discovered the appeal of clowning through a training course in his 50s. After becoming captivated by the joy of uplifting people’s spirits, he began his clowning career in earnest around 1993 following his retirement as a company employee.

Wearing a hat, white face paint, a false beard and a red nose, Kajiwara performed as a character named Trump. Making use of his large frame when tumbling, his act integrated juggling and pantomime, and were characterized by a sense of warmth.

Affectionately known as Teru-chan, Kajiwara visited hospitals nationwide with his colleagues to brighten the lives of children battling illnesses. He paid monthly visits to the Aichi Children’s Health and Medical Center in Obu, Aichi Prefecture, for more than 20 years.

“He was a highly professional person who laid the foundation for hospital clowns in the nation,” recalled Yoshimi Tanase, 64, a former head of childcare workers at the center. “Everyone looked forward to his visits.”

Subhead: Performing overseas

“It is important to capture the hearts of children,” Kajiwara told The Yomiuri Shimbun in an interview. “I was deeply moved when I received a thank-you letter from a child who was being discharged from the hospital.”

Kajiwara’s reach extended far beyond Japan; he joined circus tours in Mongolia and traveled around Ukraine to perform at various hospitals.

Involved with Hospital Clown Japan from its very beginning, Kajiwara played a vital role in nurturing the next generation of clowns.

Known for taking good care of his junior colleagues, Kajiwara instructed them on the importance of standing still and how to breath on stage. The number of clowns belonging to the organization has increased to 170.

Kajiwara’s health began to fail in his later years, and he died of natural causes on Feb. 10. He had remained active as a clown until just three years ago.

“Mr. Kajiwara brought smiles to so many,” recalled the association’s president, Kosuke Omune. “I want him to watch over us from wherever he is now.”