Screeching Insects


(Bigger version!)

Well, it’s that time of year again, folks. When the insects not only outnumber, but outshine the people in volume too. They get mighty talkative in the summer months, you see. Many of the chirp or sing or warble or otherwise make noise as proudly as possible at this time. Here’s a happy bug outside on my balcony, just as loud as can be. He was singing alone, but usually you hear them in choruses. Hundreds making the same patterns over and over. If you look carefully, you can see that the undulations of his body match the pitches you hear. Good vibrations? I’m not an entomologist, but I’d wager that those vibrations are the bug version of “How you doin’?” :-) Anyway, thought I’d share. Sorry about the hand held camera shot.

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  • Jordan - that's definitely kind of a sweet mentality. (Though I think the gross looking part tends to keep me from messing with them anyway...) Ha ha.
  • All this talk of "mono aware" feel like I'm back in Makuhari in class waiting for my chance to enjoy the fruits of my loans at Y's.

    I don't think it is a kotowaza but some Japanese people say not to pick up or bother the semi because they have such a short life. I think there is a respect for their lives that I've never seen exhibited in America. Its very interesting and in a way moving.

    They are still gross looking things though. haha

    Jordans last blog post was: Nagoya basho day 4 highlights
  • Alex - I didn't believe you until Blue posted. Ha ha ha.

    Jordan - I couldn't agree more. But it totally fits the "tragically short life equates with transient, ephemeral beauty" Japanese cultural concept. 「物の哀れ」

    Blue - you win the prize for not only proving Alex right, but for giving me the names of the 2 different kinds of cicadas in Japan. I'll store that one away somewhere for trivia night. ;-)
  • That one is called "ツクツクボウシ" because their screeching or chirping sounds like "Tsukutsukuboshi" to Japanese.
    And the one that Alex mentioned is called "ミンミンゼミ."
    I am not kidding and those are 標準語。
  • Well, that semi was quite a stud wasn't he?

    Poor semi.. all that time spent in the ground and then only a few short moments above ground before the night falls forever.

    Jordans last blog post was: Nagoya basho day 2 results
  • Hakata semi speak a different language! The northern ones sound like..

    Min min min min miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin......

    [5 second pause]

    Min min min min min min miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin......

    [5 second pause]

    They get increasingly longer, and then when they break super-sonic wavelengths they take a 5 minute break. Then they start over.

    Alexs last blog post was: 記憶術の復讐
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