A Praying Mantis: Kamakiri (カマキリ) in Japan

Research still goes on for this specimen and more information will be posted at a later date.

For sure, it is a praying mantis.

The exact  scientific nomenclature and sex of the bug, haven't been determined, yet.

A YouTube video gave me some information, that sent me all over the internet.

From a channel called, Real Japan Monsters, I learned this:

" Mantises are fascinating insects closely related to termites and cockroaches. All mantises are predatory and will eat anything they can catch...including one another. Cannibalism is common among mantises, especially during the mating season. Females may even begin consuming their suitor before the act of copulation is complete. This is because control of the male's reproductive movement is controlled not by the brain but instead by a small nerve bundle in the abdomen. Males who are cannibalized may actually have a better chance of reproductive success, as headless males copulate longer and with heightened libido. Most mantises can fly and the males of many species are adept at flying after dark in pursuit of hungry females."

Wild Tales Require Some Verification

 

 

 

 

Out on the World Wide Web, we went, looking for more about this creature's habits. 

Sure enough, over at National Geographic, they tell you; it's true.

They even say the females are notorious for eating their mates.

Some, do it after mating and, others do it while mating. Yuk !

Okinawa Folktale: Sneeze Blessing

Some Background

 

 

During the last Century, I learned how to respond to a sneeze in Okinawan dialect.

It is nothing close to the "God Bless You" which you may have heard used.

At this point, let's just say it is "Kusukwe."

A Black Cat Around Sundown

 

The image above shows a black cat with the setting sun, glowing on it.

The photo fits with the story you are about to read.

Returning from the fields, at sunset Yama the farmer heard strange noises.

The sounds, coming from a graveyard, sounded like a baby crying.

Peering into the cemetery, Yama saw a black cat.

The cat was making the sounds of a human baby crying; not the sounds of a cat.

The cat was at a grave site and,  from within, came the voice of a ghost.

The ghost, told the cat, how to steal the soul of a baby.

It told the cat to meow, from atop a wall near a baby's house.

It would take lots of meowing but, if the baby sneezed three times, the soul could be snatched.

However if, someone shouted "Kusukwe" the soul would be unharmed.

The Cat Followed Instructions

Yama was afraid someone's life was at risk and, ran home to get drunk.

The following night, he visited the home of a newborn baby.

Just as the sun was setting the black cat, appeared on a stonewall.

It looked towards the baby and, began meowing.

The baby sneezed and, Yama yelled "Kusukwe."

The black cat continued to meow and, the baby sneezed, again.

The farmer hollered "Kusukwe" once more.

Black cat, continued meowing.

The third time the baby sneezed, Yama yelled "KUSUKWEE" with all his might.

The cat looked at him, jumped off the wall and, ran.

It never got a chance to nab the spirit of the baby.

Rough Translation

 

 

 

Kusuke or kusukwee is nothing at all, like saying, "God Bless You."

In Okinawa, it is an expression to shoo away something evil.

Used, when someone sneezes, there are other occasions to shout Kusukwee.

Walking down a dark alley, have you ever felt something was following you ?

The hair on the back of your neck stands up or, you feel a sudden, cold chill.

An Okinawan would turn around and shout, Kusukwee in the evil spirit's direction.

A literal translation from the University of Hawaii Press:

Okinawa-English Wordbook ISBN 978-0-8248-3102-8 P.102

Kusukwee means:  eat shit

REFERENCE:

Okinawan Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 P.109

MORE OKINAWA FOLKLORE

 

Okinawa Folktale: Origin of Star Shaped Sand

Babes of the Southern Cross

 

 

The legend comes to us from the Yaeyama Islands, far south in the Ryukyu Archipelago.

Two stars, the Southern Cross and North Star decided to have children.

God, told the Southern Star to have the babies at Taketomi Island in the warm seas. 

Master of the heavens, knows best so, she deposited thousands of babies, there.

Irritated the God of the Seas

 

 

 

 

  The Dragon God of the Seas didn't like what happened.

Nobody asked him if all those stars could be born there so, he took action.

He sent a sea serpent to kill all the baby stars.

The monster, ate them and spit out their remains, to float away in the ocean.

What was left of them, washed ashore, as particles of star sand.

A sacred woman from Taketomi-jima took pity on the baby stars.

She burned them along with her incense.

That way, they could rise with the smoke and, join the Southern Cross in the sky.

The say, look closely at the Southern Cross and, see the baby stars surrounding her. 

 REFERENCES:

Folktales of Okinawa ISBN4-947654-05-8  P.19

The Birth of Star Sand

Amusing Planet

Atlas Obscura

Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai

Scribol

MORE FOLKLORE

Flower Photo: A Single Rain Lily

The rain lilies are sprouting all over the island with the passing of  Typhoon Chan-hom.

This morning, in a hurry to hit the bank, I left the cameras behind.

That's when this huge pink rain lily was spotted.

Kneeling on the sidewalk, with the cell phone camera, I took this quick shot.

This flower is probably, three times the size of those we usually see around here.

If the weather holds up for a few more days, I may go back with the big camera.

Most websites, tell us, rain lilies, sprout, after it rains.

The Missus, tells me, these are a typhoon flowers.

In the past, others have told me, the flowers are used to predict inbound typhoons.

Time will tell.

Related Post: 

Flower Photos: Okinawa Has Pink and White Rain Lilies

Okinawa Folktale: Daughter and Demon

Turu A Stunning Beauty

 

 

Admired by all single men, she refused to give her hand in marriage.

One youngster would hide in the shadows at night.

He slipped into Turu's room while the Mom was sleeping.

Photo Credit: Shawn Miller -- Okinawa Nature Photography 

This activitity took place over several months and, mother became aware.

She decided to check things out, one evening.

Through a conveniently located peephole, she observed.

What she saw, more than shocked her.  The guy, wasn't human.  He was a demon !

Motherly Advice

 

 

 

 

 

Mom, confronted Turu, concerning her admirer.

The daughter was startled by what the mother had to say about the man leaving her room.

Departing in the moonlight, he didn't cast the shadow of a man.

He was a long, slender creature.

Mother had a plan, to prove her suspicions to the daughter.

She gave the girl a sewing needle and spool of white thread, with some instructions.

The next time, her suitor visited, she would put them to use.

She would secretly, attach the thread to the man's collar, using the needle.

The Plan Worked

 

 

 

 

Turu's lover slipped away, in the dark, the following night.

He was unaware of the trail of white string he was leaving behind.

The following morning, Mom and Turu did some investigation.

The unraveled spool of thread, led them to a cave.

Akamata !

 

 

 

 

Mother and daughter were both shocked by what they saw in the cave entrance.

An Akamata (snake pictured above) was writhing in pain.

The sewing needle was stuck in his neck.

It would be nice to tell you, the snake died and, everybody lived happy, ever after.

OK.  Let's just say,  snake dead.

What could possibly go wrong here ?

Worst Part of the Story

 

 

 

 

They leave the cave and start walking home to the village.

Turu begins trembling and weeping.

Her skin, turns to a sickly shade of grey.

And, she confesses to Mom.  "I'm pregnant."

Solution

 

 

 

 

 

Mother takes daughter to the beach. 

She feeds her a special cake made of magical materials and, rice.

At high tide, they enter the water, kicking the wave crests 3 times, they soak in the sea.

Turu's body becomes cleansed and, the Akamata baby is washed away.

Many villages throughout the Ryukyu Island Chain, practice this ritual.

By the third day, of the third month, according to the Lunar Calendar, enter the sea.

It is believed, seawater, purges evil spirits, from a female's body.

The ritual is known as Sanguacha. 

REFERENCE: Okinawa Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 Page 100

Turu and the Demon

Visit Shawn Miller's Website 

MORE OKINAWAN FOLKTALES