big kokeshi doll welcomes guests to historic kiyomizu-dera temple in kyoto

giant inflatable doll appears at famous kyoto temple

from march 5 to 13, 2022, something looks quite different at kiyomizu-dera, one of the most famous and historic temples in kyoto, japan. right next to its main gate, a huge kokeshi doll welcomes worshipers in, giving them the opportunity to snap a memorable picture with her. created by japanese artist collective yotta, the 12.5-meter-tall inflatable doll lies down patiently while singing and talking — ‘it’s been a long time, everyone in kyoto’, she says enthusiastically, while sometimes she even mutters ‘I’m hungry’ to herself.

the gigantic public installation is part of the 2022 artists’ fair kyoto, showcasing a collection of contemporary paintings, sculptures, and video works. the annual event uses corporate buildings and important cultural properties in the city as ‘eccentric exhibition spaces’ to display the work of local artists.

image courtesy of kyoto university of the arts

a pair of futuristic koimanu guardians

the inflatable doll called hanako lies down next to the main gate of the kiyomizu-dera temple, with her body spanning 12.5 meters. hanako is shaped like a typical kokeshi wooden doll dressed in traditional patterns, thus embodying japan’s culture. the piece was created by artist team yotta (find more here), which consists of kizaki kimitaka, kanetani koji, and yamawaki hiromichi. hanako talks and sings in a child’s voice, surprising passers-by with her cheerful greetings and nursery rhymes.

at kiyomizu-dera, visitors can also find two more unexpected guardians. just past the main gate, two massive lion-dogs by contemporary artist kenji yanobe (find more here) attracts the attention of the visitors. the shiny cyber-dog guardians present a futuristic iteration of the typical ‘koimanu’ statues that usually appear in pairs at the entrance to japanese shinto shrines, warding off evil spirits with their fierce appearance.