Decoration on an old Jingasa

[Lindus]

The Mon is self explanatory but the decoration of insects has always puzzled me, is it just a whim or has this some weird Japanese meaning?.

Roy

[Wickstrom]

An ant is loyal to it's queen just as a samurai was loyal to their Daimyo. That is why you will find many insect themed menuki and maedate, or in this case, jingasa.

[Bugyotsuji]

I don't know what they mean in conjunction with each other, but on their own, each creature has a symbolic meaning. Semi, the cicada signifies triumph over death, or rebirth, for example. The frog, Kaeru, is popularly used in a play on words, "Buji kaeru", or to return home safely. Yamori, the gekko literally means to protect the house. The Kamakiri is used in a proverb about getting backed into a corner and coming out fighting, a bit like a cornered bear, but I can't recall the actual wording.

 

If all of this is totally off the wall, I hope someone will step in and rescue me! :lol:

[runagmc]

They have obviously always had a strong appreciation for the natural world and natural beauty. Water, clouds, trees, animals, insects, and all other natural things (and even some mythical ones) are some of the most commonly used themes in Japanese art, it seems.