Photo/Illutration Rice paddy artworks depict the famed masterpieces "Mona Lisa" and “Kohan” (Lakeside) in Inakadate, Aomori Prefecture, on Sept. 4. (Tadayuki Ito)

INAKADATE, Aomori Prefecture--A late summer breeze breathed “life” into gigantic re-creations of famed masterpieces in a rice paddy field here during a full-scale resumption of the popular art event after a two-year hiatus.

This year, “Mona Lisa,” by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), and “Kohan” (Lakeside), by renowned Japanese artist Seiki Kuroda (1866-1924), were re-created on roughly 15,000 square meters of a rice paddy field in front of the village government office.

Visitors were seen taking photos and videos of the artworks as they swayed in the wind, making the mouth of the “Mona Lisa” move as if she was talking to them and sending ripples along the lake surface of “Kohan.”

Inakadate village began the annual rice paddy art event in 1993 to promote locally produced rice. It features famous paintings or scenes from popular films.

Rice varieties used to paint the pictures include those for human consumption and decoration as well as ancient ones. When fully grown, they turn into seven colors, such as green, white and purple, creating a 3-D image.

The village canceled the event in 2020 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, while it was scaled down last year by keeping observation decks closed to visitors.

The observation decks near two event venues--the village government office and a roadside station--offer a commanding view of the artworks.

An artwork displayed on the premises of the roadside station depicts a transition from the Jomon Pottery Culture Period (c. 14500 B.C.-1000 B.C.) to the Yayoi Pottery Culture Period (1000 B.C.-A.D. 250).

The rice paddy art will be on display until harvesting begins on Oct. 10.

Admission to see the paintings is 300 yen ($2) for adults and 100 yen for elementary school children. The event’s organizer caps the number of visitors at each venue as a precaution against the virus.

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