Comments on: Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo!

By: Jennifer Frazer

Jennifer Frazer — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:16:20 +0000

Thanks! And thanks for the heads-up on my email, which I just fixed! I’ll contact you off-blog . . .

By: Rachael

Rachael — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:11:54 +0000

Hi Jennifer,
I’m an Outreach Producer with Myriapod Productions. We love your blog, and we’re wondering if you might be interested in writing a few guest posts for the Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo website? If yes, please send me a quick email and I’ll put you in touch with the filmmaker. (By the way, the email link on your Portfolio page seems to be malfunctioning…hence the comment…)
Thanks,
Rachael

By: kyril

kyril — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 06:22:50 +0000

In addition to the Shinto culture, the strong Buddhist influence in Japan (life and the karmic cycle) may contribute to their enlightened treatment of insects. The premium on living space in metropolitan areas may have also contributed to keeping beetles and crickets as pets. Crickets were kept as pets in China as far back as early Roman times and, like the Chinese alphabet, this custom probably was exported to Japan.

I also recommend the Nausicaa anime. But the identically titled manga that the anime was based upon(only first two volumes), also by Miyazaki, is even better. Some libraries
with decent graphic novel sections may have the english translation. The environmental
message, also found in other Miyazaki films such as Mononeke Hime, is stronger here. The manga is also darker that the film and gives a much more detailed vision of the flora and fauna of the post-apocalyptic world.

Kyril

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:26:09 +0000

One interesting exploration of the difference between the Japanese and the western view on insects, and on the psychology of human revulsion, as it is connected with insects, is an animated film: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Thought animated, Hayao Miyazaki’s work is not merely for kids.

Throughout his work, you will see his artistic recreations of huge natural tableaux. His animated dioramas in Nausicaa include “giant insects”, which if you look at them, include many species that either exist today (smaller, but no less interesting for their exotic body plans, and coloration) or are evocative of fossils. Nausicaa reminds me at several points, of fantastic creatures from the burgess shale. The giant “Ohm” remind me of the pill bugs that we played with in our back yard as kids, writ XL. Miyazaki’s ethics and ideals are clearly inspired by the traditional Shinto beliefs of the Japanese people. It seems that ability to overcome your own revulsion, and to give that which is “other” a chance to live, even if most of the villagers are screaming “kill it! kill it with fire!” is important to Miyazaki. It seems that within Shinto are many noble instincts.