The summers
in Japan,
even if a bit hot and humid, were some of the best months. School finished in early June and the rainy
season shortly followed, lasting about four to six weeks. Occasionally an early typhoon passed by
adding to the humidity as well. Some of
my memories of the summers are swimming in the sea or at the pool; enjoying kouri (flaked ice with flavouring poured
of it); water melons, popping big dark blue grapes out of their skins into the
mouth (although I would eat the skins afterwards as that is where the goodness
is), and also the nashi (a quince/Japanese
pear developed in Japan) was such a juicy treat. There were camps and memories of somen down bamboo pipes, or in ice
cubes. Summer wouldn’t be summer without
the many matsuri (festivals) with the
roads lined with decorated roten
(street stalls) selling to the passing crowds, and the amazing firework
displays.
Summer memories
include the contrasting noises of the various insects chirping or singing away. Of particular note were the koorogi (crickets) heard in the evenings
and the kirikiri mushi (katydids) during
the day time and often kept as pets in the homes. Less commonly were the bush crickets which
had a very distinctive song. But the
sound that is considered to be synonymous with summer in Japan is the racket made by the semi (cicadas). They are very much a part of Japanese
Teleogryllus emma Cricket
Enmakoorogi Tettigonia orientalis Katydid Large Green Bush Cricket-
Aomatsumushi (Bush
Cricket) yabukiri Truljalia hibinonis
[3]
culture, often heard singing in the back ground of Japanese TV
series. The noise can be quite deafening
and annoying, but over time they become part of the tradition of summer that is
accepted. Summer hasn’t begun, according
to folk culture, until the first semi is heard.
Summer wouldn’t be the same without them.
Although there are some 30 different
species of cicada in Japan,
depending on where you live there are only about 6 or 7 species likely to be
seen or heard. Below are a recording of
six species of the more common ones seen regularly. Hearing these cicadas singing brings back
many poignant memories of summer days in Japan.
Cryptotympana fascialis Kuma-zemi Platypleura
kaempferi Niinii Zemi Meimuna
opalifera Tsukutsukuboushi
The ease
with which we could see and enjoy the great variety of wildlife in Japan led to
many happy days out in the hills and mountains that were all around. This gave me my love for nature and the
photographing of birds and insects in particular.
As I think
about the variety and the different characteristics and behaviour of the
insects and birds, I am amazed every time.
I am convinced that there is a Designer behind it all. For me that Designer is the God of the Bible
who I believe is the Creator of all that we see and enjoy here on our
earth. There are some interesting things
said about God’s involvement in nature in the Bible. In a prophecy of Isaiah’s, talking about the
birds that will take up residence in the ruins, he says this: “Seek and read from the book of the Lord: Not
one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the Lord has commanded, and
his Spirit has gathered them” (Isaiah 34:16 ESV).
Here we see the involvement of the Lord in caring for the birds so that
each has been brought together as birds with mates. If God does that for the birds how much more
will he have an interest in our lives as well? Jesus himself says similar things when talking
about two sparrows that are sold for a penny, yet “…not a single sparrow can fall to the ground
without your Father knowing it” (Matthew 10:29 NLT).
He goes on to say, “Fear not, therefore; you are of
more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). Then
in Matthew chapter 6 Jesus says to look at the birds who neither sow nor reap
nor gather into barns, yet it is God who feeds them. He continues by talking about the lilies that
only last for a short time, yet are better arrayed than Solomon, one of the
greatest kings of Israel. If this is what happens to the lilies that
last only a short while and then thrown into the fire, will God not care for
you? So why do we worry and why are we anxious
about daily needs? Jesus promises us
that if we “seek first the kingdom
of God and his
righteousness, all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). That is His promise to care for our daily
needs. I can acknowledge that this is
true from personal experience over the many years that we have trusted him for
our needs. Even more than this God has proved
his care and concern for us by sending Jesus to give us the ultimate gift of
His love, the forgiveness of our rebellion and rejection of God, and so
bringing those who respond to His love into an intimate relationship with Him. There is a joy and peace that God’s gives us
when we know that we are rightly related to Him.
As I look
back over the many years that we spent in Japan enjoying God’s creation, I am
also thankful for the experience of knowing His faithfulness in keeping His
promises to care and provide for us. As
we face new challenges in our present circumstances of pandemic restrictions
and political unrest and uncertainly, I have learnt to trust God with my life
and so experience His peace and rest as my anxieties and worries about the
future are given over to Him.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Teleogryllus+emma+Cricket+Enmakoorogi+song&docid=608038159598485690&mid=821052A66FE0E6FC3E1F821052A66FE0E6FC3E1F&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
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