The annual fallen leaf art has appeared at Oi Shrine in Oimachi, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture. It depicts a dragon approximately 20 meters long and an anime character, which is associated with the zodiac sign of 2024, the dragon, and is entertaining both worshipers and children from neighboring Oi Elementary School.
Chief Priest Takatsugu Inamoto (49 years old) has been creating the statues since 2015 using fallen leaves of the sacred tree ginkgo and other trees, saying, ``I want people who visit the shrine to enjoy it.'' It is becoming an early winter tradition, and some worshipers are looking forward to seeing the art.
The dragon is located in the area facing the shrine's office from the Taikobashi Bridge that spans the temple grounds, and his torso is made of ginkgo biloba, and his eyes and scales are made of maple. It is the largest ever, and Chief Priest Inamoto says with a smile, ``I painted it so that it would be a vibrant year that would rise like a dragon.''
An animated yellow bear character (approximately 2 meters in diameter) can be seen from the Oi Elementary School next door to the west. Children enjoy watching it from the windows of the school building during recess. Both are said to maintain their shape until late December.
