Stunning Saitama rice field art snags Guinness record

You may have already heard about rice field art: Those complex works that use dyed or naturally colored rice grains to create gorgeous patterns, or that turn the whole rice field into a canvas for a massive “painting” that can only be fully appreciated from the skies. Also, because Japan, Ultraman is sometimes involved.

But the phenomenon, once a niche practice for small Japanese cities that otherwise had nothing in the way of tourist destinations, has caught on to the point that the Guinness Book has actually recorded, for posterity, the current world’s largest work of rice field art.

The recipient of the Guinness Book’s “World’s largest rice field art” is the city of Gyodashi, in Saitama Prefecture, and we just had to go take a look at it for ourselves.

Gyodashi has apparently been making attempts at a Guinness Record for several years, but this year they seem to have pulled out all the stops, creating an enormous work that uses seven different kinds of rice plant to make a portrait in rice that reflects the themes of “kids” and “outer space.”

The humongous work spans so many rice fields that the designers actually had to account for two roads that run through the center, essentially turning the work into a giant, natural triptych. In total, the work covers 27,195 square acres, the whole of which guests can see from a viewing platform for just 400 yen (US$3).

As with any artwork of this scale, the rice paddy art in Gyodashi required the cooperation of literally an entire village, with 813 residents helping to plan, design, and plant the various colors of rice.

Having seen it with our own eyes, we can say with confidence that it’s truly something to behold. But if you’re interested in seeing Gyodashi’s record setting work up close and personal, you’ll need to hurry! The work will only be on display until November 11, after which the rice will presumably be harvested and consumed. A cruel fate for such a wonderful work of art.

Photos: RocketNews24
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