Photographer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyourshot.nationalgeographic.com%2Fprofile%2F686001%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dennis Doucet</a> was out searching for birds in the rice paddies near his neighborhood in Kobe, Japan, when he spotted a bunch of mannequin heads appearing in the fields.
Make it go away! —
Photographer Dennis Doucet was out searching for birds in the rice paddies near his neighborhood in Kobe, Japan, when he spotted a bunch of mannequin heads appearing in the fields.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
Discarded by local hair stylists, the mannequins are re-purposed by farmers fending off sparrows.
Not creeped out yet? Keep clicking. —
Discarded by local hair stylists, the mannequins are re-purposed by farmers fending off sparrows.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
"As the heads become moldy or bleached by the sun, they become even more scary," Doucet writes.
Stop staring! —
"As the heads become moldy or bleached by the sun, they become even more scary," Doucet writes.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
They're most likely to be seen in mid- to late-August, positioned in fields to protect rice that's nearing harvest.
Freaky sentinels —
They're most likely to be seen in mid- to late-August, positioned in fields to protect rice that's nearing harvest.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
Sparrows are the greatest problem that rice farmers face, Doucet learned. "They are, however, skittish and not very bright." The sparrows, not the farmers. Short of using noisy air cannons, local land owners say the scarecrows are the most effective bird repellents.
Bird watchers —
Sparrows are the greatest problem that rice farmers face, Doucet learned. "They are, however, skittish and not very bright." The sparrows, not the farmers. Short of using noisy air cannons, local land owners say the scarecrows are the most effective bird repellents.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
Kensuke Okada, a professor at the University of Tokyo's International Program in Agricultural Development Studies, says scarecrows are "known to be an ineffective way for protect the crops from birds, nor it is widely practiced in Japan."
We still love 'em. Sort of ... —
Kensuke Okada, a professor at the University of Tokyo's International Program in Agricultural Development Studies, says scarecrows are "known to be an ineffective way for protect the crops from birds, nor it is widely practiced in Japan."
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
Japanese scarecrows, called "kakashi," occupy a storied history in farming culture, with many legends surrounding their use in rice fields.
Haunting dreams for generations —
Japanese scarecrows, called "kakashi," occupy a storied history in farming culture, with many legends surrounding their use in rice fields.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
Nice to know everything in Japan doesn't have to peg the cute meter.
What's that up on the road a head? —
Nice to know everything in Japan doesn't have to peg the cute meter.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
More care is taken to put some of the hair-raising helpers in a position to succeed than with others. Like hair, for instance.
Asleep on the job —
More care is taken to put some of the hair-raising helpers in a position to succeed than with others. Like hair, for instance.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
The heads are particularly spooky at night, when car headlights hit them at just the right angle.
Dark visions —
The heads are particularly spooky at night, when car headlights hit them at just the right angle.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport
Kowai means "scary" or "creepy" in Japanese. It's the rough opposite of the familiar Japanese word kawaii, meaning "cute." With its cap at a jaunty angle, this mannequin scarecrow appears to be trying to ride the line between the two.
Kowai meets kawaii —
Kowai means "scary" or "creepy" in Japanese. It's the rough opposite of the familiar Japanese word kawaii, meaning "cute." With its cap at a jaunty angle, this mannequin scarecrow appears to be trying to ride the line between the two.
Dennis Doucet/CNN iReport