Photo/Illutration Sculptor Mio Hashimoto and her carving of Muco, the main character of popular manga series "Lovely Muuuuuuuco!" (Provided by the Niimi Museum of Art)

NIIMI, Okayama Prefecture--Mio Hashimoto, 15 years old when the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck, was traumatized when she realized nearly how many lives were lost in her neighborhood in the disaster. It would prove to be life-altering.

Her desire to somehow immortalize precious lives led her to carve out a career as a sculptor specializing in super-realistic reproductions of animals.

The earthquake that struck the Kobe area on Jan. 17, 1995, claimed 6,434 lives.

The Hyogo Prefecture native is holding an exhibition of her work at the Niimi Museum of Art here to mark the 30th anniversary of the museum's opening. It is also intended to raise hope for reconstruction of the city, buffeted by torrential rain in recent years.

In 2018, western Japan was slammed with severe flooding which also impacted Okayama Prefecture. The following year, the northern part of the prefecture was also hit by devastating downpours.

The solo show, which assembles wooden animal carvings by the popular sculptor, is hosted by the city government and sponsored by The Asahi Shimbun's Okayama General Bureau and other organizations.

The event features 100 or so life-size animal sculptures, including a wood carving of Muco, the main character of "Lovely Muuuuuuuco!" a popular manga series which was also adapted into an animated TV series, as well as 600 sketches and drawings.

Visitors are permitted to take photos of all the exhibits.

The event runs until Sept. 6. The venue is closed on Mondays except national holidays.

Admission is 800 yen ($8) for adults, 500 yen for college students, 300 yen for junior and senior high school students and 200 yen for elementary school students.

Visit the museum's official website at (https://www.city.niimi.okayama.jp/usr/art/).

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