Wara Art Festival Artists Conjure Faerie Beasts from the Echigo Area for 2024

The “Thunder God” is said to be responsible for Niigata’s unique climate, where figs, strawberries, grapes and other fruits of the gods grow

The 2024 Wara Art Festival in Niigata, Japan, features large sculptures made from rice straw, called “wara,” created by Musashino Art University students.

This year’s sculptures are based on mythical creatures from local folklore, including a thunder god, wind god, cat yokai, spirit duck, and giant snake. The festival, held annually since 2008, transforms leftover rice straw into impressive art and is open at Uwasekigata Park through October 31, 2024.

h/t: spoon&tamago

The “Nekomata,” a type of cat yokai, stands in protection of the people of Niigata. Local folklore is filled with tales of cats, all of them vicious, but all loyal to those who treat them with love, and mercilessly treat those who do not as prey

A “Spirit Duck” depicted, as local legend has it, healing a broken wing in a hot spring

The “Wind God” is depicted here enjoying Niigata sake and leaning back on an empty bottle

The “Giant Snake” has incredible power over water and lubricates the land, sometimes to disastrous ends