Okimono sculpture of a cricket in bronze.

Insects (mushi) play an important role in Japanese culture. Insect hunting is a popular pastime, especially among children. Using nets and cages, they catch cicadas, beetles and other insects for observation. In fact, mushi can be seen as familiar animals, playing a role in a child’s upbringing: he or she will first play with the ladybug, progressing as education progresses to the complex task of hunting dragonflies, which requires a certain amount of skill.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)

Width: 0.8 in (2.5 cm) – depth: 1.2 in (3.5 cm) – height: 2 in (5.5 cm)