Fukuoka town erects 7-meter gorilla scarecrow as symbol of strength against COVID-19

You had your chance, Amabie. It’s the gorilla’s turn now.

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.”

コロナが世界中に広がり大変な毎日が続いていますが、熊本には守り神がいます。

「もし疫病が流行することがあれば、私の姿を描いた絵を人々に早々に見せよ」

江戸時代に熊本の海に現れた妖怪アマビエ。
デマではなく伝承です(笑)#Shirasagiso #アマビエ pic.twitter.com/S8eSYkA849

— ホテルしらさぎ　熊本県玉名市 (@shirasagiso) March 11, 2020

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?

That’s right, a first-class ticket to bupkisville with Amabie drunk and in the driver’s seat. 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 (23-foot) gorilla?

Called “Giant Straw Scarecrow Gorilla: Proud Gorilla 2020,” this massive yet detailed primate was erected by Chikuzen Town, 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.

I for one welcome our new gorilla savior, and hope it will hurl a mighty feces at the coronavirus before the town takes it down at the end of January. And if this doesn’t do the job either… Hmm, I guess we can try praying to Super Mario next when he comes to Universal Studios Japan in February.

Gorilla information
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
Featured image: YouTube/ponpoko2006jp
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