SHIKOKU, Aug 21 (News On Japan) - Sculptures of nude women, once a common sight in parks and public squares, are now at the center of growing debate. In Takamatsu, a port city on Japan’s Shikoku Island, two statues of naked girls in a park are scheduled to be removed this month as part of a renovation project.
City officials said complaints had been raised that the figures were “too stimulating” and inappropriate for children, with some parents noting that elementary school students felt embarrassed when passing by the works.
The decision has deeply disappointed the 94-year-old sculptor Seiichi, who created the works to commemorate the completion of the Seto Ohashi Bridge. “A woman’s body is not something shameful,” he said. “I wanted to show the natural beauty of human growth, the vitality of life, and the strength of women who give birth. That is the most beautiful thing.”
Seiichi explained that he chose female forms because of their unique ability to carry and nurture life. To him, the statues were intended not as sexual objects but as symbols of vitality and human dignity.
The debate extends beyond Takamatsu. In Kobe, 39 sculptures line the main streets of the city center, 14 of which are nude female figures. The prevalence of such works is tied to Japan’s postwar history. Experts note that while prewar public monuments often depicted political leaders or military figures, in the 1970s, local governments turned to public art—especially female nudes—as symbols of peace and cultural sophistication. Kobe, branding itself as a “city of sculpture,” commissioned many such works during its urban development campaigns from the late 1960s onward.
Yet not all statues have survived. One nude sculpture removed during bridge repair work in Hyogo in 2021 has been left in storage for more than three years, with no new installation site found. Covered in blue sheets and lying on its side, the bronze figure now rests in a materials yard.
Opinions among residents are divided. Some argue that the works are harmless and part of the familiar city landscape, while others worry about the effect on children or say they feel uncomfortable seeing the figures in graduation photos. A few have suggested consolidating nude sculptures in one designated area where those interested can visit.
The issue has also prompted comparisons with other countries. An Asia University professor noted that nude statues are rarely found in public spaces overseas, suggesting that Japan take this opportunity to reconsider what kind of art should be displayed in its cities.
Commentators caution that unlike issues of social welfare or discrimination, disputes over public art are matters of cultural values, making it difficult to determine right or wrong. Some argue that simply removing works and leaving them in storage is the saddest outcome, and that local governments should seek more open discussions with residents about the role of art in shared spaces.
Others warn that hiding nude statues could itself reinforce the idea that the human body is shameful. Instead, they suggest that the works could serve as a starting point for education, encouraging healthier discussions about art, the human form, and sexuality.
Source: KTV NEWS
