The World’s Largest Wooden Virgin Mary Statue Continues Taking Shape

The UNESCO World Heritage–listed Hara Castle Ruins seen from the site of the Virgin Mary statue.

The statue was transported from the artist’s Fujisawa studio in pieces and reassembled in this purpose-built enclosure. It now awaits painting.

Statue creator Oyamatsu Eiji (right) with Ishikawa Yoshinori from the Citizen’s Association for Minamishimabara World Heritage.