Niigata Prefecture, Japan, has thought of a novel way to use the straw left over from their rice harvest. A "wara" or rice-straw festival is held every August 31st, where local artists build elaborate straw sculptures over wooden frames. The frames allow the statues to be larger and let spectators interact with them.
Amy Goda, an aspiring local artist, has gained fame for her spectacular rice-straw dinosaur sculptures. Her massive creatures have made the Wara Art Festival famous online. Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of these unique sculptures can go to Uwasekigata Park in Niigata City’s Nishikan Ward, where they will remain until the beginning of November.
Niigata Prefecture holds its Wara Art Festival every August 31st
"Wara" means rice-straw in Japanese
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Rice-straw is a by-product of the yearly rice harvest
Image credits: kiyukatawani
The straw is attached to wooden frames to provide stability and allow for greater size
The results are surprising
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Amy Goda studies art in Niigata Prefecture
Her incredible dinosaurs have attracted international attention
Various techniques are used to create the behemoths
Image credits: agedashi0210
The method used to build thatched cottages is similar to that used for the sculptures
This makes for stable structures that visitors can interact with
Image credits: Ruki40788274
Image credits: amymauscd
Image credits: amymauscd
Image credits: yuko_vitzksp90