I’ve noticed that dragonflies, most frequently called 蜻蛉 tonbo in Japanese, are quite prominent in Japanese art. Dragonflies are often found as prints on fabrics used for kimono, yuukata and other traditional Japanese clothing and are often mentioned in haiku poems. In fact, Keiji has a jinbei with tonbo on it. There is a popular Japanese children’s song, called Aka tonbo, and the tune somehow always gets in my head when I hear the word tonbo.
I saw a dragonfly land on a post while we were at Nezu Shrine. It made me wonder more about the history of the dragonfly in Japan.
After a bit of internet surfing I found out just a little a bit about dragonflies. Japanese farmers used to believe that the dragonfly was the spirit of the rice plant and that they represented a good rice harvest. And Japanese warriors believed that dragonflies symbolize strength and that they bring good luck in battle. About 1600 years ago, the dragonfly was the symbol of a great Japanese warrior clan. In ancient mythology, Japan was once known as Akitsushimu, meaning “Island of the Dragonfly”. In Japan, dragonflies have become symbols of victory, courage, strength since they always fly darting forward. I’m still interested in finding more about this so anyone feel free to share some info about the dragonfly.
Here are the lyrics of the song, Aka tonbo in English:
Dragonflies as red as sunset Back when I was young In twilight skies, there on her back I'd ride When the day was done Mountain fields in late November Long ago it seems Mulberry trees and treasures we would gather Was it only just a dream? Just fifteen she went away one day Married then so young Like a sister lost, I loved and missed her Letters never seemed to come Dragonflies as red as sunset Back when I was young Now in my eyes, when I see dragonflies Tears are always sure to come