By YOSHIKO SATO/ Staff Writer
December 30, 2024 at 16:41 JST
KYOTO—Worshippers can take a ride on a giant white snake made of newspaper and take photographs with the serpent at an ancient temple here.
The Kitamukizan Fudoin temple in Fushimi Ward has installed the papier-mache piece in its main hall with the year of the snake in the Chinese astrological calendar just around the corner.
Sporting a hat on its head, the comical-faced snake’s mouth holds a “hamaya” ceremonial arrow designed to ward off evil spirits.
The surface of the white snake, a sacred animal, is covered by white paper used for “shoji” sliding doors.
Visitors can write their wishes on an orb-shaped piece of paper, which is meant to resemble a scale, and paste it on the snake.
Adults can sit on the snake, which contains a bench and two “zabuton” floor cushions inside.
It was produced by Yoshiko Nanmen, an artist who has created animals with newspaper.
“I don’t think there are many Chinese zodiac animals you can ride on,” she said. “I want everyone to come here, sit on it and have a laugh.”
The snake will be on display until October. The make-a-wish paper strips will be burned in a ritual in January 2026.
The main hall is open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Children on a white snake installation at the Kitamukizan Fudoin temple in Kyoto’s Fushimi Ward (Yoshiko Sato)
