modern; but firefly-hunting, as a diversion,[1] is a very old custom. Anciently it was an aristocratic amusement; and great nobles used to give firefly-hunting parties,—hotaru-gari. In this busy era of Meiji the hotaru-gari is rather an amusement for children than for grown-up folks; but the latter occasionally find time to join in the sport. All over Japan, the children have their firefly-hunts every summer;—moonless nights being usually chosen for such expeditions. Girls follow the chase with paper-fans; boys, with long light poles, to the ends of which wisps[2] of fresh bamboo-grass are tied. When struck down by a fan or a wisp, the insects are easily secured, as they are slow to take wing after having once been checked[3] in actual flight. While hunting, the children sing little songs, supposed to attract the shining prey. These songs differ according to locality; and the number of them is wonderful. But there are very few possessing that sort of interest which justifies quotation. Two examples will probably suffice:—
(Province of Chōshū.)
Koi-tomose!
註
