The wings of fate: Butterflies in Japan
Butterflies are some of nature's most enchanting creatures, captivating our hearts with their vibrant colors and delicate wings. They can be found all over the world and hold many meanings in folklore and anime. Usually, a scene containing a butterfly signifies the forces of fate are at work. Perhaps the two characters are destined to meet and the story that follows is all according to “keikaku”.
Starting life as tiny eggs before emerging as caterpillars, even at this stage I find them cute as they look fuzzy. After a period of munching on leaves and growing, they enter the pupal stage, ultimately unfolding into the graceful butterflies we adore. They are not just pretty to look at; butterflies play a vital role as pollinators, helping flowers reproduce and fruits flourish. With over 17,500 species of butterflies worldwide, each one brings its unique flair to gardens, meadows, and forests.
In my home in the UK, I was blessed with a large garden that attracted various species of butterflies, mostly small ones. The largest species we see in the UK is the Swallowtail, and I occasionally got lucky enough to spot a few. However, my favorite butterfly was the Peacock, with its vibrant oranges and eye-like markings that help deter predators. The furry beast, also known as Lulu the cat, would be captivated for hours as she watched these colorful visitors outside the conservatory.
The Japanese summer is now in full swing, and temperatures here in Kyushu have already reached the high thirties, making life quite sweaty. Unfortunately, I caught some sun on my nose, which reminded me that Japanese summers are not to be taken lightly. Heat stroke warnings will light up your phone when you take a trip to Japan during the summer.
During an excursion to visit the last unvisited prefectures in Kyushu, Kagoshima and Miyazaki, I started to notice the winged inhabitants. It was hard to miss them because they are huge, much larger than anything I saw in the wild during my time back in the UK. The butterflies in Japan come in an array of colors and markings, but they all seem to be on the larger side. Lulus’ jaw would hit the floor if she saw some of these!
Japanese butterflies are truly on a whole new level. Seeing them is very exciting, and it’s easy to understand why they hold significant meaning in Japanese culture and anime. In the UK, our largest butterfly, the swallowtail, can reach about 9 cm in size, while Japan's largest, the beautiful deep blue tree nymph, can grow up to 13 cm. I have yet to see those blue, glittering wings in person as they can only be found in Hokkaido and some of the more northern prefectures.
Before coming to Japan, I took a trip to the butterfly park at Whipsnade, where the temperatures in the main enclosure were a cozy thirty-four degrees. It’s easy to see why butterflies thrive in Japan, with the generally warm climate and a variety of habitats for them to explore. Japan also hosts an amazing variety of flowers for the butterflies to feed on.
Although I hadn't intended to write about butterflies, after seeing so many this weekend and being amazed by their colors and sizes, I felt they deserved an entry. The butterflies here are truly beautiful, but it’s also sad to remember that their lifespans are quite brief.
I hope this entry highlights a seemingly mundane aspect of nature that we often take for granted and showcases the differences in butterflies here in Japan. I highly recommend visiting Japan during butterfly season to see them in person, while also taking precautions to stay safe in the heat.
