Jizai okimono sculpture of an articulated dragonfly 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: 4.7 in (12 cm) – depth: 3.5 in (9 cm) – height: 0.8 in (2.2 cm)