The “Thunder God” is alleged to be accountable for Niigata’s distinctive local weather, the place figs, strawberries, grapes and different fruits of the gods develop
The 2024 Wara Artwork Pageant in Niigata, Japan, options giant sculptures constructed from rice straw, known as “wara,” created by Musashino Artwork College college students.
This yr’s sculptures are based mostly on legendary creatures from native folklore, together with a thunder god, wind god, cat yokai, spirit duck, and large snake. The competition, held yearly since 2008, transforms leftover rice straw into spectacular artwork and is open at Uwasekigata Park by October 31, 2024.
h/t: spoon&tamago
The “Nekomata,” a sort of cat yokai, stands in safety of the folks of Niigata. Native folklore is full of tales of cats, all of them vicious, however all loyal to those that deal with them with love, and mercilessly deal with those that don’t as prey
A “Spirit Duck” depicted, as native legend has it, therapeutic a damaged wing in a scorching spring
The “Wind God” is depicted right here having fun with Niigata sake and leaning again on an empty bottle
The “Giant Snake” has unbelievable energy over water and lubricates the land, typically to disastrous ends
