Kamiyama, Tokushima

Kakashi doll couple

The culture of making Kakashi (scarecrow dolls) originated in Nagoro village in the Iya Valley, an isolated village in the highlands of Shikoku Island, whose population was slowly shrinking as its residents left for big cities in search of work. A former resident, Ayano Tsukimi, began to populate the village with dolls, each representing a former villager. Around 350 of the giant dolls now reside in and around Nagoro, modelled on residents who died or abandoned the village years ago. The dolls are dressed in the clothing of former residents and assume their previous lives as farmers, shop keepers, teachers, etc. Several Kakashi dolls can now be seen in the nearby town of Kamiyama, including this Kakashi doll couple with flowers, Shikoku Island, Japan.

kakashi dollsscarecrow dollscouplefarmyardflowersKamiyamaShikoku IslandTokushima prefectureJapan