Why is the firefly (Hotaru) important in Japan?

In some cultures, the firefly may not have a positive reputation. But in Japan , where they are called “hotaru”, they are loved, a metaphor for passionate love in poetry since Man’you-shu (the 8th century anthology). Its eerie lights are also believed to be the altered form of the souls of soldiers who have died in war.

It is popular to see the glow of fireflies during hot summer nights (hotaru-gari). However, since the hotaru inhabit only clean streams, their numbers have declined in recent years due to pollution.

“Hotaru no Hikari (The Light of the Firefly)” is probably one of the most popular Japanese songs. It is often sung at parting, such as at graduation ceremonies, the closing ceremony of events, and the end of the year. This melody comes from the Scottish folk song “Auld Lang Syne” which doesn’t mention fireflies at all. It’s just that the poetic Japanese words somehow fit the melody of the song.

There is also a children’s song titled “Hotaru Koi (Eat Firefly)”. Take a look at the lyrics on japanese .

“Keisetsu-jidadi”, which literally translates as “the era of firefly and snow”, means student days. It is derived from Chinese folklore and refers to studying under the glow of fireflies and snow by the window. There is also an expression “Keisetsu no kou” which means “the fruits of diligent study”.

This is a fairly new word, but “hotaru-zoku (firefly tribe)” refers to people (mainly husbands) forced to smoke outside. There are many tall apartment buildings in cities, which often have small balconies. From a distance, the cigarette light outside the curtained window looks like the glow of a firefly.

” Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies)” is a Japanese animated film (1988) that is based on Akiyuki Nosaka’s autobiographical novel. Follow the struggles of two orphans during the American bombing raid at the end of World War II.