By KENTA SUJINO/ Staff Writer
March 5, 2023 at 17:28 JST
KYOTO--A huge limbless “kokeshi” doll lying on its side has impressed tourists and local residents at Higashi Honganji temple in Kyoto’s Shimogyo Ward.
The 12-meter-long balloon object made of tent cloth is located in front of the gate to the temple’s Goei-do hall.
It is part of the “Artists’ Fair Kyoto 2023,” an event held to support young artists.
The giant kokeshi doll was created by artistic duo Yotta in 2011 and named Hanako. It will be on display through March 12.
The doll “talks” occasionally, saying such things as, “It’s Instagram worthy,” “Spring is just around the corner,” and “I am getting sleepy.”
A 73-year-old woman from Kyoto’s Yamashina Ward, who was taking pictures of the object, admired the doll’s gentle voice.
“It is a great idea to disseminate Japanese traditional culture in a form like this,” she said.
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