Freeing the Insects

0.02 sec.

Freeing the Insects

Late August-early September

There is a festival in Japan on May 28 during which vendors sell insects in tiny bamboo cages. Those who purchase the diminutive pets keep them in or near the house during the summer months so that they can hear their songs in the evening. Then, on a day in late August or early September, they gather in public parks and at temples or shrines to set the insects free. When the creatures realize they have been released, the former captors listen to them burst into their individual sounds.
The custom of freeing the insects, also known as the Insect-Hearing Festival, is more common in the countryside. Although no one seems to know its exact origin, it is reminiscent of Italy's Festa del Grillo, where crickets are purchased in cages and kept as good luck tokens or harbingers of spring.

SOURCES:
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 551
JapanFest-1965, p. 185

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback

Mentioned in	?		Encyclopedia browser	?		Full browser	?
No references found			Freedman, Daniel X. Freedmen Freedmen's Bureau Freedom Freedom in Education Freedom of Association Freedom of Entry Ceremony Freedom of Information Act freedom of speech freedom of the press freedom of the seas Freedom of the Seas, Principle of the Freedom Park Freedom Party freedom to mine Freedoms, Democratic FreeDOS freeform fabrication freeform language freeform manufacturing freeform text freehand grinding FreeHEP Freehold freeing port Freeing the Insects freelance Freelance Graphics freeman Freeman Reports Freeman's Farm, battle of Freeman, Douglas Southall Freeman, Edward Augustus Freeman, John Ripley Freeman, Mary Freeman, Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman, Morgan Freeman, Orville Lothrop Freeman, Thomas Freeman, Walter Jackson Freeman-Nichols roaster Freeman-Thomas, Freeman freemartin Freemasonry freemium freenet Freeport FreePPP Freer, Charles Lang freerexx Freesia			Freehold Borough School District Freehold Estates Freehold Estates Freehold Estates Freehold Estates Freehold Estates Freehold Regional High School District Freehold Township High School Freehold Travel Soccer freeholder freeholder freeholder freeholder Freeholders Freeholders Freeholders Freeholders freeholds freeholds freeholds freeholds freeing freeing freeing freeing freeing freeing freeing from blame freeing from prison freeing port Freeing the Insects FreeiPodGuide Freek Zieck Fotografie freelance freelance freelance Freelance Blogger Jobs World Freelance Blues Freelance Creative Media Alliance Freelance Euthanasia Freelance Experts' Group Freelance Graphics Freelance Hair Beauty Federation Freelance Job Bank Freelance journalist Freelance Musicians' Association Freelance Office Services and Virtual Assistance Freelance photographer Freelance Photography Freelance Photography Made Easy Freelance Undercover Cyber Terrorists Freelance Whales Freelance work, never paid Freelance writer Freelance writing freelanced freelanced freelanced freelancer freelancer freelancer

Encyclopedia

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.