Shams El-Mutwalli Dubai

Japan’s Wara Art Festival is displaying sustainable sculptures made using repurposed rice straw on view in Niigata until October 31 to showcase the city’s rice production.

The straw was used to construct various animals and mythological figures measuring 30 ft high.

“In the past, rice straw was used to make traditional tools utilized in Japanese daily life. However, that form of use is now dying out. As a new way of using rice straw, in 2006 Niigata City and Musashino Art University (known as “Musabi” in Japan) collaborated to create “Wara Art,” massive artwork made of rice straw,” Wara Art Festival’s official website states.

These sculptures, made by both university students and locals, is not only representative of sustainability but is also tethered to Japanese practices.

Rice straw “has had a familiar presence in Japanese daily life since ancient times. It has been composted after being tilled from the earth for use as fodder for livestock such as horses and cows, and also used as a material for items used in daily life such as Japanese traditional decorations and zori sandals,” the Wara Art Festival’s website shares.

Visitors are also invited to take a tour and explore Nishikan Ward and admire the rice fields, mountains, Kakuda Beach, hot springs, among other sites.