Bugs are popular pets in nature-loving Japan, buzzing with lessons about ecology and species

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. cuddly / ˈkʌd li / (adj.) – soft, cute, and nice to hug; making people want to hold it close
    Example:

    People often choose cuddly animals as pets because they make them feel safe and happy.


  2. esoteric / ˌɛs əˈtɛr ɪk / (adj.) – known or understood only by a small number of people with special knowledge or interest
    Example:

    Some insects are so esoteric that only experts can recognize them.


  3. oneness / ˈwʌn nɪs / (n.) – a feeling of being united with something or someone
    Example:

    The singer felt a deep oneness with the audience while performing the song she had dedicated to her fans.


  4. undiscovered / ˌʌn dɪˈskʌv ərd / (adj.) – not yet found, known, or explored
    Example:

    Scientists believe there are still many undiscovered plants in the rainforest.


  5. aptly / ˈæpt li / (adv.) – in a way that is suitable, right, or appropriate for the situation
    Example:

    He aptly described the city as “a place that never sleeps” because of its busy streets and lively nightlife.


Article

Read the text below.

The pet of choice in Japan, as much as cuddly kitties and playful puppies, is the humble bug. The bug has been a key part of Japanese culture from the Heian era classic The Tale of Genji to popular modern-day manga and animation like Mushishi, featuring insect-like supernatural creatures.


Japanese people appreciate the glitter of fireflies let loose in the garden or the gentle chirping of crickets kept in a little cage. You can feed the bug pets watermelon, but special jelly pet food for bugs is also available at stores. Naturally, bugs are for sale as well, with the more esoteric ones selling for 20,000 yen ($133).


The bug as companion is an essential part of what’s observed, enjoyed and cared for in everyday life, reflecting a deeply rooted celebration of humankind’s oneness with nature.


“They are so tiny. If you catch and study them, you’re sure to discover something new,” says Munetoshi Maruyama, professor of bioenvironmental sciences at Kyushu University, whose fascination with bugs began as a child, like many Japanese.


“They are so beautiful in shape and form.”


One thrill that comes from studying insects is discovering a new species, simply because there are more than 1.2 million known kinds of insects, far more than mammals, which translates to a lot of undiscovered ones, said Maruyama, who has discovered 250 new insect species himself and shrugs that off as a relatively small number.


Japan differs from much of the West in encouraging interaction with bugs from childhood, with lots of books written for children, as well as classes and tours.


“In Japan, kids love bugs. You can even buy a net at a convenience store,” he said. “It’s fantastic that bugs can serve as a doorway to science.”


The love affair with bugs was clear at an exhibit in Tokyo, aptly called “The Great Insect Exhibition,” which ran through the end of last month at the Tokyo Skytree Town, where crowds of children gathered around trees inside indoor cages so they could observe and touch the various beetles.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The Great Insect Exhibition in Tokyo allowed children to touch and look at beetles closely. What do you think about this experience for children? How could this experience be helpful or harmful to them? Discuss.
  • If you were designing a nature exhibit, what living thing would you choose to show visitors? Would you allow them to touch it, or only look at it? What safety rules would you put in place? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • In Japan, some people keep bugs as pets, just like cats or dogs. Would you personally want to have a bug as a pet? Why or why not? What kind of care do you think a pet bug would need (ex. very little handling, quiet environment)? Discuss.
  • Some people keep unusual animals, like snakes or rare birds, as pets. What rules or laws do you think there should be about which animals people can keep at home? Why do you think these rules are important? Discuss.