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I’m Fascinated By Scarecrows In Japan And I Take Self-Portraits With Them (14 Pics)
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I’m Fascinated By Scarecrows In Japan And I Take Self-Portraits With Them (14 Pics)

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I encountered scarecrows for the first time after I started photography when my mother passed away and I lost my home. I got fed up with my everyday life and left my hometown, where I was born and grew up. But I didn’t or couldn’t do anything, so I spent everyday agonizing about my future.

One day I got lost in a strange village deep in the mountains, where I found more scarecrows than villagers. The scarecrows were spread around in the village as if they were mingling in this scenery, such as beautiful mountains, clear creeks, paddles, and old houses. Upon taking a closer look, I also found a scarecrow standing in its two legs, just like the one we see in The Wizard of Oz. Its hight and gestures looked the same as human beings, and it also had an expressive face. Gradually I heard scarecrows chatting from everywhere, and it became much more fun; as if I was into this story of scarecrows. My depressed heart was leaping for joy, and I found myself engaging in taking photos altogether.

Many people often ask me, “Why scarecrows?”. Sadly I don’t have any logical answers for this question; it’s hard to express this feeling in words. Personally spending time with scarecrows is a pleasant moment which makes me be who I am naturally; it’s like I’m talking about silly stuff to my best friends. I temporarily stayed away from the cold world of humans and logged into the world of scarecrows; taking photos of me and scarecrows, I could confirm my presence in the world, which gave me a little confident about myself.

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I’ll keep on enjoying myself, facing such complicating personality and emotions. Hopefully, you’ll also enjoy the world of me and scarecrows at least for a short period of time without thinking too deeply, just like we say, “Que Sera, Sera.”

More info: chika-usui.net

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Chika Usui

Chika Usui

Author, Community member

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One day in the small village, I met many human-like scarecrows and I started taking self-portraits with them. After that, I directly talked to the only one scarecrow artist in Okuharima Scarecrow village (Himeji, Hyogo pre, Japan) and became his disciple. I’m the only scarecrow photographer & creator in the world now and as a Goodwill Ambassador for Okuharima Scarecrow village, I’m doing the best I can.

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Chika Usui

Chika Usui

Author, Community member

One day in the small village, I met many human-like scarecrows and I started taking self-portraits with them. After that, I directly talked to the only one scarecrow artist in Okuharima Scarecrow village (Himeji, Hyogo pre, Japan) and became his disciple. I’m the only scarecrow photographer & creator in the world now and as a Goodwill Ambassador for Okuharima Scarecrow village, I’m doing the best I can.

What do you think ?
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Martha Manzanares
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this the village Nagoro? If so, there's a documentary about it: The Valley of Dolls. Their creator is Ayano Tsukimi. You can look them up on google maps street view too!

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for your comment. The shooting place is "Okuharima Kakashi no Sato". It is located in Himeji, Hyogo pre, Japan.

Load More Replies...
Diver Driver
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am speechless. This is so creative cool and inspiring. I think it is proof that everyone has a place it may just take time to find it. The bus stop is so over the top. Thanks so much for sharing such a great story.

Lilith Hollis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a lovely story and the scarecrows are amazing thank you for sharing and making my evening a little better

Sivi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember my greatgrandmother made something like these only smaller in the early 90s. I think we still have them. Maybe I can ask when I get my own appartment.

Give me a beagle any day...
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is wonderful! Those are the best looking scarecrows I've ever seen. Not at all what I was expecting. How fun it must be for you, to live in the world of these amazing and realistic scarecrows!

Heidi Matsumoto
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's actually cute and all but I feel sad looking at this, considering that Japan's population is declining. There might be more villages like this in the future .

Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! These are so intricate. And each does seem to have a personality. Thank you for sharing with us.

Martha Manzanares
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this the village Nagoro? If so, there's a documentary about it: The Valley of Dolls. Their creator is Ayano Tsukimi. You can look them up on google maps street view too!

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for your comment. The shooting place is "Okuharima Kakashi no Sato". It is located in Himeji, Hyogo pre, Japan.

Load More Replies...
Diver Driver
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am speechless. This is so creative cool and inspiring. I think it is proof that everyone has a place it may just take time to find it. The bus stop is so over the top. Thanks so much for sharing such a great story.

Lilith Hollis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a lovely story and the scarecrows are amazing thank you for sharing and making my evening a little better

Sivi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember my greatgrandmother made something like these only smaller in the early 90s. I think we still have them. Maybe I can ask when I get my own appartment.

Give me a beagle any day...
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is wonderful! Those are the best looking scarecrows I've ever seen. Not at all what I was expecting. How fun it must be for you, to live in the world of these amazing and realistic scarecrows!

Heidi Matsumoto
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's actually cute and all but I feel sad looking at this, considering that Japan's population is declining. There might be more villages like this in the future .

Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! These are so intricate. And each does seem to have a personality. Thank you for sharing with us.

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