About
Amidst the bustle of Shibuya, the Moyai Statue stands quietly in a corner of Dogenzaka, like a silent witness watching over the city’s clamor. Carved from Koga stone, a specialty of Niijima, this statue was donated to Shibuya Ward in 1980 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Niijima’s transfer to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. “Moyai” means “to work together” or “to help each other” in the Niijima dialect, and that spirit is embodied in this statue. (city.shibuya.tokyo.jp)
On the front of the statue, the face of a young man, “Anki (older brother),” is carved, while on the back, the face of an old man, “Inji (grandfather),” is engraved. This symbolizes the history and culture of Niijima, as well as the bonds that transcend generations. Koga stone, a specialty of Niijima, is light and easy to work with, and many Moyai statues have been made both on and off the island. (city.shibuya.tokyo.jp)
In January 2025, due to the redevelopment of the west exit of Shibuya Station, the Moyai Statue was relocated to the plaza on the west side of Shibuya Fukuras. Even after the move, it continues to face southwest, the direction of Niijima, conveying thoughts of its hometown. At the unveiling ceremony, the mayor of Niijima Village expressed that the spirit of “moyai” is needed in today’s era and hoped that the statue would continue to be loved by many people in its new location. (city.shibuya.tokyo.jp)
On the street corners of Shibuya, the Moyai Statue quietly continues to convey the culture of Niijima and the spirit of “helping each other” to visitors. Amidst the city’s hustle and bustle, why not pause for a moment and listen to the thoughts embedded in this statue?