A giant Mona Lisa replica was created with 24,000 senbei rice crackers Sunday in Soka, Saitama Prefecture, successfully winning recognition as the world's largest mosaic made of the treat.
In a bid to promote local specialty "Soka Senbei" abroad, some 200 residents from the city took part in the event from Saturday at a gymnasium. Using senbei in seven different colors — flavored with soy sauce, matcha green tea, sugar and other ingredients — the residents created the artwork to resemble the shade and shadow of the Renaissance masterpiece.
The final pieces were placed Sunday by the mayor and others, finishing off a 13-meter-long, 9-meter-wide mosaic reproduction of the painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
When officials from Guinness World Records certified it as a record, participants applauded.
"It was fun," said 7-year-old Mei Hamano, who took part in the event with her family. "It's amazing that you can recreate a painting with senbei."
The replica was immediately dismantled and the senbei were given away as free gifts.