The Land Where Words Bring Happiness

The Land Where Words Bring Happiness
September 10, 2024 | Notebook

For a long time, when Japanese people were asked to describe Japan in a single phrase, most would answer, 'A land where the spirit of words brings happiness.'

This means 'a country that flourishes in happiness through the power of words,' but there are few people who speak these words anymore, and opportunities to see them have decreased.

Our country, Japan, is a people who have cherished words for over ten thousand years.
When praying, we used 'inorigoto' (prayers), and when making requests, we used 'negigoto' (petitions), acts of delivering words to the gods.

At such times, the appearance of insects like butterflies and dragonflies was considered an 'auspicious sign.'
This is because it was believed that the insects would convey our prayers and wishes to the gods.
This was called 'mushi no tsutae' (the insect's message), and later, insects began to be used like carrier pigeons.

For example, when a person you loved lived in a neighboring village or was far away, you would catch a ladybug, whisper 'I love you!' to it, and then release it.
Strangely enough, the ladybug would then go to the person you loved and convey those feelings.
The state of having that insect land on you was called 'mushi ga tsuku' (an insect attaching itself).

It may be hard to believe, but before the Edo period, both 'mushi no shirase' (a premonition) and 'mushi ga tsuku' were used in a positive sense.
Therefore, it is said that insects approaching you, other than flies and mosquitoes, are an auspicious sign.

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