The Mythology of Insect-Loving Japan
Japanese people are perceived to have a relatively more favorable disposition towards insects than individuals from other nations. Given that insects frequently appear in myths from all over the world, I researched Japanese mythology as a potential origin of this positive outlook toward insects. I r...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/3/234 |
| _version_ | 1797470658703130624 |
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| author | Hideto Hoshina |
| author_facet | Hideto Hoshina |
| author_sort | Hideto Hoshina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Japanese people are perceived to have a relatively more favorable disposition towards insects than individuals from other nations. Given that insects frequently appear in myths from all over the world, I researched Japanese mythology as a potential origin of this positive outlook toward insects. I reviewed the ancient records Kojiki, Nihonshoki, and Fudoki, and found seven cases where insects appear. In all cases, the insects played relatively minor roles. They did not speak, nor were they under the command of gods or emperors. They did not feature as main characters in ancient poetry, and gods/emperors did not take the shape of any insects. In only two instances were insects featured in a positive light. In general, relationships between gods, emperors, and insects are weak in Japanese mythology, and hence mythology does not appear to be the primary source of Japanese affinity for insects. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:39:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1526004286684551a6baeaba529ad534 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:39:08Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-1526004286684551a6baeaba529ad5342023-11-24T01:43:05ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502022-02-0113323410.3390/insects13030234The Mythology of Insect-Loving JapanHideto Hoshina0Faculty of Education, Bunkyo Campus, University of Fukui, Fukui 910-8507, JapanJapanese people are perceived to have a relatively more favorable disposition towards insects than individuals from other nations. Given that insects frequently appear in myths from all over the world, I researched Japanese mythology as a potential origin of this positive outlook toward insects. I reviewed the ancient records Kojiki, Nihonshoki, and Fudoki, and found seven cases where insects appear. In all cases, the insects played relatively minor roles. They did not speak, nor were they under the command of gods or emperors. They did not feature as main characters in ancient poetry, and gods/emperors did not take the shape of any insects. In only two instances were insects featured in a positive light. In general, relationships between gods, emperors, and insects are weak in Japanese mythology, and hence mythology does not appear to be the primary source of Japanese affinity for insects.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/3/234insectmythologyKojikiNihonshokiFudoki |
| spellingShingle | Hideto Hoshina The Mythology of Insect-Loving Japan Insects insect mythology Kojiki Nihonshoki Fudoki |
| title | The Mythology of Insect-Loving Japan |
| title_full | The Mythology of Insect-Loving Japan |
| title_fullStr | The Mythology of Insect-Loving Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Mythology of Insect-Loving Japan |
| title_short | The Mythology of Insect-Loving Japan |
| title_sort | mythology of insect loving japan |
| topic | insect mythology Kojiki Nihonshoki Fudoki |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/3/234 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hidetohoshina themythologyofinsectlovingjapan AT hidetohoshina mythologyofinsectlovingjapan |