We are soon approaching a full year since the re-emergence of the legendary yokai Amabie, whom you might recall famously said: “If an epidemic spreads, draw a picture of me and show it to everyone.”
So we did. Thousands upon thousands of pictures flooded the Internet and then came the Amabie donuts, Amabie Hello Kitties, Amabie personal seals, and conspiracy theories that Amabie is actually former prime minister Shinzo Abe.
And where has all that gotten us?
COVID-19 cases are running more rampant that ever and a state of emergency has been once again declared in seven of Japan’s most populous prefectures.
So it’s high time we hand Amabie its walking papers and move onto to some other idol to worship. And who better to revere than a 7-meter gorilla?
Called “Giant Straw Scarecrow Gorilla: Proud Gorilla 2020,” this massive yet detailed primate was erected by residents of Chikuzen, Fukuoka Prefecture. It took two months to construct, and was completed in early December of 2020.
The ape’s lifelike hair was made from rice straw layered on top of a steel frame. The likeness of a gorilla was chosen as a symbol of power and strength in the face of the prolonged coronavirus pandemic.
▼ This video also shows some photos of the construction.
This is actually the sixth in the town’s annual giant scarecrow series, but it’s plain to see that they really outdid themselves this time around.
▼ Did we mention the eyes glow red in the evening? Because they do.
Giant Straw Scarecrow Gorilla: Proud Gorilla 2020 / 巨大わらかがしゴリラProud GORILLA 2020
Yasunosato Park / 安の里公園
Fukuoka-ken, Asakura-gun, Chikuzen-machi, Shinokuma 673
福岡県朝倉郡筑前町篠隈673
Will remain until the end of January
Eyes light up from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Source: Kyodo
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- Japanese yokai starts appearing on Twitter to prevent the spread of COVID-19
-- Keep wishing for the end of coronavirus with sickness-preventing yokai signature seals
-- Unsettling softball-playing scarecrows keep Japanese town entertained, creeped out
- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2021/01/15/fukuoka-town-erects-7-meter-gorilla-scarecrow-as-symbol-of-strength-against-covid-19/
24 Comments
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Slickdrifter
Just took drive down to Chikuzen from my area in Saga. I was pretty impressed with it. It was not meant to last but it seems to be holding together well. How its bringing in awareness for the COVID not really sure for westerners.
Calling it useless is a bit unfair. I commend the town for trying to raise awareness. maybe amongst the Japanese its is doing so.
@us_reamer ya you know.....https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/news/shin-godzilla-invades-chikuzen-city-fukuoka/
Charlie Sommers
Adding a bit of lightness to a dire situation does no harm and actually may give hope to many. I thank the people of Fukuoka-ken and cheer for the gorilla's success.
Oxycodin
Lol you this gorilla monster going to fake you into thinking your safe from CCP virus?? Think again
gogogo
Pretty cool but should have put a mask on it
mrtinjp
What they need to show case, should be a symbol of strong immune system.. showcase something where-in corona enters and is slayed..
InspectorGadget
So in the middle of a pandemic, people from the town came together to erect an unnecessary giant straw gorilla to show their strength against Covid-19.
Sounds like something out of the middle ages.
Goodlucktoyou
All it needs is a “Go 2020 Olympics” banner.
WilliB
That will impress the virus!
JK
Arts and culture are important when times are difficult but still I would rather buy more PCR tests than build a straw gorilla.
Ma-Hu
Cool - that's a fine piece of artwork.
commanteer
Better than joyless.
wtfjapan
im sure covid19 is shaking in its boots!?
u_s__reamer
To deal with this deadly pest Japan will need more than a wimpy chimp. Better call Godzilla!
Hello there
They should put one of those next to hachiko
Harrison Ozwald
I expect to see this costume on the shelves of Don Quixote in a couple weeks.
Kobe White Bar Owner
Not like people will gather to get photos taken with it and upload to sns. Sure social distancing will be followed properly
kohakuebisu
Most excellent! Truly bodacious work!
dagon
Viral marketing for the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong movie.
Spitfire
I agree it looks good.
However, while most advanced countries spent time and effort trying to develop a vaccine for this virus the Japanese make a giant straw gorilla.
Sounds about right.
Haaa Nemui
Aesthetically speaking I think this is quite awesome.