The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-01

4
erai and took them home to beguile the
tedium of his evenings rest. His neighbors.
in turn. were entranced with the soothing
tones of these queer songsters. and begged
their friend Chuzo to bring them home
some OF the insects, Offering to pay him for
his trouble in securing them. AS time went
the fame of these new household pets
spread throughout the neighborhood; Chuzo
was inundated with requests for his strange
pets. and, being alert TO the business pos
sibilities opened before him, he determined
to give all his time to the capture and
selling of singing insects. While engaged
in this occupation he made the acquaint-
ance of one Kirfyama, Daimios retainer
Chuzo had sold the latter some of the in
sects the preceding year. but Kiriyama had
placed them in an earthen jar and had for
gotten all about them. In the spring, how
ever he happened to come across the jar
again, and, on opening it, was surprised to
discover a host of insects just Matched.
He mentioned this curious fact to his friend
Chuzo, and IL did not take the two long TO
discern that in the breeding of these in
sects. with the ever-increasing demand,
there was a good trade opening. Further
experiment with other singing insects
showed that the way in which Kiriyama
had unconsciously raised the first brood
was successful with all the rest. and in
this way the rearing and selling of singing
insects first became a real trade. As time
went on others seeing the success met with
by Kiriyama and Chuzo, took up the curl
Gus pursuit until it has reached its present
important standing as a recognized and
profitable industry.
Toxic often
happens upon the stalls of the "mushi-yas,"
who form an important trade guild and are
usually citizens of circumstance and means.
Different insects are in vogue at different
seasons, and 1t is the business of the
"mushi-ya" to see that the wants of his
customers are supplied according to the
fad of the moment. AS the insects them
selves are without doubt the most interest
ing features of the whole industry it is
necessary that some space should be given
to a description of them. In various dis
tricts and at various times there are spe-
cial favorites, but the following list of in
sects taken from the placards of one of the
largest, insect fanciers in Toxic gives the
names of the most important insects dealt
in. Translated the list reads as follows:
"Kajika," "kutsuwa-mushi.' "Kirigirisu,"
rogi," .kusa-hibari," ''kantan," ''kin-hi-
BARI" "kanetataki," and ''yamato-suzu."
LITTLE SONGSTERS DESCRIBED.
And now for few words of description
regarding each. The first on the list, the
'"kajika," is not an insect at all, although
classed in that category by the fanciers on
account of its sweet cry. The "kajika is
really little frog of a greenish black col
r1,,fi ,,0fa 10 or he
cry of the ordinary frog. but low. liquid
and weird trill, inexpressibly melodious.
The value of the 'kajka' depends upon its
age, for when first captured it sings very
little AS time goes on, however, 1T gets
educated to its surroundings and sings more
often, it's value and cost to the prospective
buyer increasing accordingly. When first
captured they may be bought for 25 sen
(about II cents) each, but If they have been
in captivity for year or two and sing fire.
quently they run as high as one yen (about
50 cents), while fancy specimens or excep-
tionally good singers bring even much
higher price. The name "kajika'' is de-
rived from "kawa-shika," which means riv
er deer, the former being so-called because
of fancied resemblance in its tones to that
| of the 'kawa-shika'
| l.
| list, is of two species, one yellow fawn
| in color and the other a beautiful pale
green. 1t is a large insect, about twice
/ the size of grasshopper, and the curious
noise which it produces. much like the
| champing of horses bit, is occasioned by
rapidly rubbing it's wings together The
Japanese name for horses bit is ''kut-
suwa," and it is from the supposed resem-
blance of its cry to the champing of
horses bit. as have said, that the "kut-
suwa-mushi' derives its distinguishing ap-
| pellative.
The "kirigirusu,' a sort of large grass
hopper, or locust, which is the third on the
| list, is comparatively rare, and during the
greater part of the season commands
| high price. Most of them come from the
provinces of Itabashi and Todagawa,
though many are artifcially bred by the
| fanciers in Toxic. The song of the latter.
| however, is not so good. The cry of the
! ''kirigirusu'' is a most plaintive and curl
Gus one, which may best be indicated by
| the syllables, "gi-i-i-chou, gi-i-i-chou-oo-
| co."
The "suzu-mushi' however, of all the
numerous insects, is the most universally
and deservedly popular. 1t is the common
| est of ALL but it has the sweetest song,
| and it's cheapness enables even the poorest
1 coolie to own one. 1t was the beautiful
tones of this little insect which first intro
duced me to the singing insects Of Japan,
| and it's note 1 cannot explain better than
1 did before, as like the distant tinkling of
a little bell of marvellous purity and sweet
1 ness. The ''suzu-mushi" itself resembles
nothing so much as a black watermelon
| seed, but il more than atones for its un-
prepossessing exterior by the charms of
| it's song, which has ever been a glowing
| theme for Japanese poets and writer's, who
| have lkened the cry of this insect to the
| plaint of lover in the absence Of his be-
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