Set of 9 images, glass and metal framed 500mm x 600mm. Image area is 275mm wide x 385mm deep.

Left to right, top to bottom.

a. Stone shrine/temple guardian.

b. Chinatown pig store display.

c. Kangaroo doll at estate agent.

d. Buddhist folk tale character.

e. Shed for pet chooks.

f. Lion dance boy doll.

g. Shop decoration in Hokkaido.

h. Frog recycling bin for paper.

j. Doll guarding construction site.

The appearance of 'cute' figures as advertising symbols, warning signs, etc., seems to have some connection with the comic book cartoon character phenomenon. It also seems to have a historic component in that traditional dolls, like the temple guards, often have this cute appearance. The use of cute signs and characters on advertisements is widespread in Japan, and you constantly see examples of it. It would probably annoy us if it were as prevalent in the west, but it is used in even the most serious situations by the most serious of organisations in Japan. Cute is almost worth more than beauty.