Storied Islands

Imaginations of butterflies (Umui)

In Amami, hapura (moths and butterflies) are believed to be spirits of the deceased.  Islanders entrusted their desire for eternal life in butterflies, which are said to possess the power for rebirth as they shed their skin.  

As a triangle was a symbol of soul, butterflies which are made up of triangles were believed to possess protective power.  When making a kimono for children, women would either sew triangular pieces of cloths together or attach a pieaces of triangular clothe on the back.  They also prepared a hasumochi (literary meaning lotus cake made of glutenous rice) in a shape of a triangle, on March 3 (sangatsu-sanchi).

Hebomoia glaucippe

Noro’s haburagin

 Islanders believed that haburagin  (a bodice on which a triangular piece of cloth is attached) for noro (female shamans who perform religious rituals in villages) and noro’s necklace and hair piece ornaments to which triangular pieces of cloth were attached, would assure noro’s sacredness.  Even in contemporary folk songs, called ayababura (meaning beautiful butterfly in Amami Oshima dialect), its tune juxtaposes feelings toward a person who is far away and a loved one who is waiting on the other side of the ocean.  There again the image of a butterfly which can fly freely over the ocean appears.

Their belief in butterflies is similar to the way people see gods in nature.  People revere the ancestral spirit and never forget to pray for a good harvest and the growth of children.

Noro’s hair piece

Ideopsis similis

Photo and writing by: Horizon Editorial Office

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