案山子(Kakashi) – Scarecrow

12th July – 文月

When you see the scenery of countryside in Japan, often 案山子 (Kakashi) stands in the rice fields and protects crops from birds – Rice field farmers cannot monitor the field 24 hours a day, they rely on Kakashi.

The origin of the name ‘案山子:Kakashi’ was brought to Japan by the Chinese monk in the old time. Actually 案山子 cannot be pronounced as Kakashi in Japanese. The reason this Kanji was used is that 案山 means flat area in the mountain, 子 as people or dolls in Chinese – so it was perfect meaning of word, Kakashi.

Kakashi used to be called 嗅がし (kagashi) in Japan and farmers put wild bore’s skin (which smells very bad) in the rice field so that birds keep away from there.

The effect of Kakashi

Somewhat, Kakashi can prevent damage from birds, however there are many clever birds and animals which are able to recognize Kakashi as dolls. In that case, many farmers set up some other equipments to get rid of enemies.

Locating CD discs in the field – because birds cognize shining objects as enemies, so they tend not to get close.

Sound system – animals are scared of loud sounds, thus farmers facilitate the system which make sounds such as water, guns.

Kakashi as a Tourism attraction

Since a little while ago, the looks of Kakashi has become diverse and some got attention – such as very scary ones, cute ones or realistic ones.

Furthermore, some small villages have got spotlight thanks to Kakashi – called かかしの里 (Kakashi no Sato): Famous ones are located in Miyoshi-city, Tokushima-prefecture and Himeji-city, Hyogo-prefecture.

In those villages, people can see heaps Kakashi, the number of Kakashi is larger than the people who live there! When visitors walk around the village, they often mistake Kakashi as real people. Those Kakashi are made by villagers and all have different face and characteristics.

In Kakashi no Sato, Kakashi helps villagers not only for the reason of preventing animals but also for town revitalization!