Jinx

Since I’ve gotten here, I’ve seen more signs and heard more warnings about bugs! There’s a sign at work asking us to please leave the windows closed because there are many insects outside. The guidebooks all warn about them for summer travel. Almost every “all you need to know about Japan” website mentions them. This is my favorite so far (it's also the most detailed). “The high heat, humidity, and abundant food supplies in summer are heaven for insects and bugs, and as a consequence, they breed prolifically during this season. Here are a few to watch out for:” The list includes: Cockroaches (gokiburi), Tatami bugs (dani), Mosquitos and sandflies, Centipedes (mukade), Spiders, and Snakes (hebi). Presumably the Japanese names are added so you can scream the appropriate thing as you stand on your chair ... oh wait, coffee table (since there are no chairs).

The odd part is, I’ve seen remarkably few bugs since I got here. And as most of you know, if there’s a mosquito within 50 miles, I know about it. I was just commenting at work about this today and we were all being amazed. I obviously should have kept my mouth shut. I get home tonight and promptly get 3 of the largest mosquito bites I’ve ever had. ARGH! Luckily I had ice already made.

And yes, the little sucker died an ignominious death under the sole of a shoe.

But not all bugs necessarily require instantaneous squishing.
Check this guy out – he just sat there and let me get closer and closer.

I swear he was posing!