Illustrations for the book
"Mysterious gods guarding the village in Akita"
volume1
Do you know " Ningyo-Dosojin " in japanese, "Mysterious gods guarding the village in Akita" ?
"Dosojin" is the Gods, worshipped at the boundary between villages or the roadside for protecting the village from disasters. In some areas the village erect the Gods as the dool made by straw or wood, at the entrance of villages. These dolls for avoidance of bad lucks are called "Ningyo-Dosojin".
The Ningyo-Dosojin in Akita, including several figures of only-mask or stone-doll, gives a total of over 130, the greatest numbers in Japan. The Gods have several names, for example, "Kashimasama", "Syokisama", "Niosama"and "Dojinsama", depending on the area.
They are so strong and brave for exorcizing people of evil sprits that they look just like a demon and carry the sword or spear. Sometimes they have big male sex organs.
In addition, they have a lot of different kinds of the figures. You could enjoy a broad range of image from "immature but impressive" to "the first‐class primitive arts". they also range in size from 4M(157 inch) to less than 1M(39 inch).
For more information (in japanese only) : https://dosojin.jp/qanda/
For more information (in japanese only) : https://dosojin.jp/qanda/
The japanese illustrator, "Hatsuki Miyahara", made the book "Mysterious gods guarding the village in Akita" with the local history researcher of Akita "Kazuhiko Komatsu" in 2018 and tried the bold and colorful expression of "Ningyo-Dosojin" to spread their attraction by art-work, because though they are so precious and cultural heritage, they are unknown in Japan.
For more information about the book (in japanese only but many pictures) : https://dosojin.jp/store/41/
"Kashimasama" in Iwasaki, Yuzawa, Akita.
It's very famouse in Akita and big(4M).
"Kashimasama" in Tashirosawa, Yokote, Akita.
He has very big male sex organ and big(4.5M).
Mask "A" in Sainai basin. There are many masks in Sainai basin, Daisen, Akita.
Mask "B" in Sainai basin. There are many masks in Sainai basin, Daisen, Akita.
"Syokisama" in Tsurugata, Noshiro, Akita.
You could find other 5 gods near this god.
"Ningyosan" in Fujikura, Yuzawa, Akita.
She is like a stone-doll and very small(70cm).
There are many "Ningyosan" in Minase basin.
There are many "Ningyosan" in Minase basin.
"Donjinsama" in Koyukisawa, Odate, Akita.
You could enjoy "Ningyo-Dosojin" in this official website "dosojin.jp".
https://dosojin.jp/
https://dosojin.jp/
They upload articles of saturation coverages of "Ningyo-Dosojin".
Also they expand "Ningyo-Dosojin" project besides book. e.g original Tshirts
Recently they achieved financing through crowdfunding thanks to a lot of support,
they are planning to publish the book volume2 in this summer.
bookdesign：syohei oguchi, tobufune, Japan
webdesign：necco, Japan
webdesign：necco, Japan
