Yayoi Kusama's artwork, "Pumpkin," is seen on Naoshima Island, Kagawa Prefecture, on Aug. 21, 2020. (Mainichi/Yohei Koide)

       TAKAMATSU -- A popular pumpkin art piece, a symbol of Naoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture in western Japan, was washed away by Typhoon Lupit on Aug. 9, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned through interviews with related parties.

       The yellow "Pumpkin" motif designed by famous artist Yayoi Kusama was made of reinforced plastic. It was 2 meters high and 2.5 meters wide and was installed on a pier facing the Seto Inland Sea.

       According to Benesse Holdings Inc., the owner of the artwork, several employees of its affiliated companies were watching over the yellow pumpkin as the wind and waves strengthened, and at around 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 9, the metal fittings securing the work came off and it was swept out to sea, then repeatedly hit the pier. The artwork was retrieved by the employees, but was said to have been broken into three pieces.

       A spokesperson for the company said, "This is a very important artwork and we can only say that it is regrettable. We would like to determine if it can be restored."

       (Japanese original by Sahomi Nishimoto, Takamatsu Bureau)

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