EIN156_Flying on Iridescent Wings: Dragonflies in Japan’s Imagination 【Tambaboon IELTS Lab Sydney Australia】 英語 オーストラリア ニュース

I found noteworthy news on DISCOVER.SILVERSEA.COM.

Selena Hoy reported this article on March 8, 2019.

Dragonfly Nation

For more than a millennium, dragonflies have captured the Japanese imagination. With their iridescent wings and jewel-toned bodies, they have long been an object of fascination. Throughout the island of the dragonfly, this curious insect has inspired poets, geishas, artists and warriors for centuries.
In Japan, dragonflies are loved for their beauty, their place in nature, and as a harbinger for the seasons—especially autumn. The dragonfly has inspired countless poems and songs. It has also been the subject of many “kacho-ga,” or bird and flower paintings, by such famous artists as Kitagawa Utamaro and Katsushika Hokusai. And the samurai-turned-poet Yayu Yokoi wrote this haiku in the 1700s:
“A dragonfly
settles down to sleep
on the rod of an unskillful angler.”
Perhaps they have been so celebrated because there are so many species of dragonflies in Japan, wrote Irish writer and folklorist Lafcadio Hearn, who lived in Japan in the late 1800s. He named more than 30 types in his book “A Japanese Miscellany,” which has a chapter dedicated to dragonflies. Modern surveys like the guide “Dragonflies in Japan” estimate the count is even higher with more than 200 types of dragonflies.
Dragonflies are now generically called “tombo” in Japan, but this name is relatively new. An archaic name for dragonflies is “akitsu.” The country’s oldest history book from approximately A.D. 700, the Kojiki, even refers to Japan as “Akitsushima,” or dragonfly island. According to legend, the mythological Emperor Jimmu ascended a mountain some 2,600 years ago and declared that Japan resembled a dragonfly. 

Statement analysis
-------------------------------

1. Dragonfly Nation

1. For more than a millennium, 
2. dragonflies have captured the Japanese imagination. 

1. With their iridescent wings and jewel-toned bodies, 
2. they have long been an object of fascination. 

1. Throughout the island of the dragonfly, 
2. this curious insect has inspired poets, geishas, artists and warriors for centuries.

1. In Japan, 
2. dragonflies are loved for their beauty, their place in nature, 
3. and as a harbinger for the seasons—especially autumn. 

1. The dragonfly has inspired countless poems and songs. 

1. It has also been the subject of many “kacho-ga,” 
2. or bird and flower paintings, 
3. by such famous artists as Kitagawa Utamaro and Katsushika Hokusai. 

1. And the samurai-turned-poet Yayu Yokoi wrote this haiku 
2. in the 1700s:

1. “A dragonfly
2. settles down to sleep
3. on the rod of an unskillful angler.”

1. Perhaps they have been so celebrated 
2. because there are so many species of dragonflies in Japan, 
3. wrote Irish writer and folklorist Lafcadio Hearn, 
4. who lived in Japan in the late 1800s. 

1. He named more than 30 types in his book “A Japanese Miscellany,” 
2. which has a chapter dedicated to dragonflies. 

1. Modern surveys like the guide “Dragonflies in Japan” estimate the count 
2. is even higher with more than 200 types of dragonflies.

1. Dragonflies are now generically called “tombo” in Japan, 
2. but this name is relatively new. 

1. An archaic name for dragonflies is “akitsu.” 

1. The country’s oldest history book from approximately A.D. 700, 
2. the Kojiki, even refers to Japan 
3. as “Akitsushima,” or dragonfly island. 

1. According to legend, 
2. the mythological Emperor Jimmu ascended a mountain some 2,600 years ago and declared that Japan resembled a dragonfly. 

Word vocabulary - English
-------------------------------
iridescent
adjective formal 
showing colours that seem to change in different lights

dragonfly
noun (plural dragonflies) [countable] 
a brightly-coloured insect with a long thin body and transparent wings which lives near water

imagination
noun 
1 [countable, uncountable] the ability to form pictures or ideas in your mind

millennium
noun (plural millennia /-niə/) [countable] 
1 a period of 1,000 years
2 [usually singular] the time when a new 1,000-year period begins

fascination
noun 
1 [singular, uncountable] the state of being very interested in something, so that you want to look at it, learn about it etc → obsession
2 [countable, uncountable] something that interests you very much, or the quality of being very interesting

throughout
preposition, adverb 
1 in every part of a particular area, place etc
2 during all of a particular period, from the beginning to the end

curious
adjective 
1 wanting to know about something → inquisitive
2 strange or unusual

inspire
verb [transitive] 
1 to encourage someone by making them feel confident and eager to do something
2 to make someone have a particular feeling or react in a particular way
3 to give someone the idea for something, especially a story, painting, poem etc

harbinger
noun [countable] literary or formal 
a sign that something is going to happen soon

countless
adjective [usually before noun] 
too many to be counted

celebrate
verb 
1 [intransitive, transitive] to show that an event or occasion is important by doing something special or enjoyable → celebration
2 [transitive] formal to praise someone or something

folklorist
noun [countable] 
someone who studies folklore

miscellany
noun (plural miscellanies) [countable] 
a group of different things = variety

dedicate
verb [transitive] 
1 to give all your attention and effort to one particular thing
2 to say at the beginning of a book or film, or before a piece of music, that it has been written, made, or performed for someone that you love or respect
3 to state in an official ceremony that a building will be given someone’s name in order to show respect for them
4 to use a place, time, money etc only for a particular purpose

generically
ge‧ner‧ic
adjective [usually before noun] 
1 relating to a whole group of things rather than to one thing
2 a generic product does not have a special name to show that it is made by a particular company

archaic
adjective 
1 old and no longer used = outdated OPP modern
2 old-fashioned and needing to be replaced
3 from or relating to ancient times = ancient

mythological
my‧thol‧o‧gy

noun (plural mythologies) [countable, uncountable] 
1 set of ancient myths
2 ideas or opinions that many people have, but that are wrong or not true

ascend
verb 
1 [intransitive] formal to move up through the air OPP descend
2 [transitive] written to climb something or move to a higher position OPP descend

resemble
verb [transitive] 
to look like or be similar to someone or something


Word vocabulary - Japanese
-------------------------------
iridescent
【形】玉虫色の、虹色の

dragonfly
【名】《昆虫》トンボ
【＠】ドラゴンフライ、【変化】《複》dragonflies

imagination
imæ̀dʒənéiʃn
【名-1】想像（力）、創意、創作力
・Use your imagination when you write stories.
物語を書くときには想像力を働かせなさい。
【名-2】想像の産物、着想、妄想、空想、思い過ごし、考え過ぎ、気のせい、錯覚
・I guess it was just my imagination.
ただの気のせいだったみたい。
・Is this just my imagination?
ただの思い過ごしでしょうか。
・It's all in your imagination.
それは君の思い過ごしだ。
・It may just be my imagination, but I saw someone in the mirror.
気のせいかもしれないが鏡の中に誰かが写っているのを見た。
【名-3】機知に富んでいること
【名-4】《哲学》構想力
【＠】イマジネイション、【変化】《複》imaginations
【分節】i・mag・i・na・tion

millennium
miléniəm
【名】1000年（間）、ミレニアム、千年期、至福千年、千年祭、黄金時代
◆スペリングは、エルもエヌも2個ずつある点に注意。
・The next millennium will see the disappearance of most animals.
次の1000年間には、ほとんどの動物が絶滅しているだろう。
【変化】《複》millennia ; millenniums、【分節】mil・len・ni・um

fascination
【名】魅力、魅了された状態、うっとりした状態、陶酔状態、魅惑、（グイグイ心を）引き付けられること、強い興味
・He had a fascination for fast cars.
彼は速い車に魅力を感じていた。
【＠】ファシネイション、【変化】《複》fascinations
【分節】fas・ci・na・tion

throughout
θru[ː]áut
【前】～の至るところに、～の間中
・There's bad weather throughout the whole country.
全国的に天気が悪い。
【副】初めから終わりまで、完全に
【＠】スルーアウト、【分節】through・out

curious
kjú[ə]riəs
【形-1】好奇心をそそる、好奇心の強い、知りたがり屋で、物見高い
・He is curious about his daughter's activities.
彼は娘の行動を知りたがっている。
【形-2】（面白そうなので）気になる
【＠】キュアリアス、キュリアス、【分節】cu・ri・ous

inspire
inspáiə[r]
【他動-1】（息を）吸い込む
【他動-2】活気を与える、奮起させる、鼓舞する、元気づける、気持ちを強く動かす、刺激して～する気にさせる
・His writing inspired all of us to aim for higher goals.
彼の著作に刺激されて、私たち全員がより高い目標を目指すようになった。
【他動-3】（霊感を）入り込ませる
【他動-4】（思想・感情などを）吹き込む
【他動-5】ひらめかせる、着想させる、～の創作意欲をかき立てる
【他動-6】呼び起こす、引き起こす
・Change should be inspired, not inflicted.
変化とは、引き起こされるものであって、課するものではない。
【＠】インスパイア、【変化】《動》inspires | inspiring | inspired
【分節】in・spire

harbinger
hɑ́ː[r]bin[d]ʒə[r]
【名】先駆者、先発者、前触れ、前兆
◆【同】herald, precursor, forerunner, indication, announcer, signaler, proclaimer ; first sign, omen, portent, token, clue, symbol.
【変化】《複》harbingers、【分節】har・bin・ger

countless
káuntləs
【形】数えきれないほどの、無数の、数えきれない
・There are countless stars in the universe.
宇宙には数えきれないほどの星がある。
【＠】カウントレス、【分節】count・less

celebrate
séləbrèit
【自動-1】式典を挙行する
【自動-2】祝杯を挙げる、浮かれ騒ぐ
【他動-1】（誕生日・特別な出来事などを）祝う、祝賀する、記念する
【他動-2】（祭典・結婚式・パーティーなどを）挙行する、執り行う
・Let's have a party to celebrate your promotion.
君の昇進を祝ってパーティーをやろう。
【他動-3】称賛する
【＠】セレブレイト
【変化】《動》celebrates | celebrating | celebrated、【分節】cel・e・brate

folklorist
【名】フォークロア研究者

miscellany
mísəlèini
【名】寄せ集め、文集、雑録
【変化】《複》miscellanies、【分節】mis・cel・la・ny

dedicate
dédikèit
【他動-1】～をささげる、献身する
・Mother Teresa dedicated her life to helping the poor.
マザー・テレサは貧しい人を助けるために人生をささげた。
【他動-2】専念する、打ち込む◆dedicate oneself の形で
【他動-3】（記念碑）の除幕式をする、（記念館を）開所する
【他動-4】～を特定用途のために取っておく
【他動-5】～を奉る、奉納する
【＠】デジケート、デディケイト
【変化】《動》dedicates | dedicating | dedicated、【分節】ded・i・cate

generically
【副】総称的に、属に関して、一般的に

archaic
ɑː[r]kéiik
【形】古風な（言い方の）、初期の、廃れた、原型の、古典的な、時代遅れの、原始的な
・Some of these laws are archaic.
これらの法律のいくつかは古めかしい。
【＠】アーケイイック、アーケイック、【分節】ar・cha・ic

mythological
mìθəlɑ́dʒikl
【形】神話の
【分節】myth・o・log・i・cal

ascend
əsénd
【自他動】上がる、登る、上る
・We saw the smoke was ascending to the sky.
私たちは煙が空へ昇っていくのを見た。
【＠】アセンド、【変化】《動》ascends | ascending | ascended
【分節】as・cend

resemble
rizémbl
【他動-1】～のようである、～と［に］似ている、～に生き写しである、～と共通点がある
・I resemble my husband in that I am short.
私は背が低いという点で夫と似ている。
・In old age, I am beginning to resemble my mother.
年齢を重ねるにつれ、私は母親に似てきた。
【他動-2】〈古〉たとえる、象徴する
【＠】リゼンブル、【変化】《動》resembles | resembling | resembled
【分節】re・sem・ble

美延斯怒能　袁牟漏賀多氣爾　志斯布須登　

多礼曽　意富麻弊爾麻袁須　 

夜須美斯志　和賀淤富岐美能　斯志麻都登　

阿具良爾伊麻志　斯漏多閇能　

蘓弖岐蘓那布　多古牟良爾　

阿牟加岐都岐　曽能阿牟袁　

阿岐豆波夜具比　加久能碁登　

那爾於波牟登　蘓良美都　夜麻登能久爾袁　阿岐豆志麻登布

-- 古事記 下卷-3 --

みえしのの　をむろがたけに　ししふすと　

たれそ　おほまへにまをす　 

やすみしし　わがおほきみの　ししまつと　

あぐらにいまし　 しろたへの　

そできそなふ　たこむらに　

あむかきつき　そのあむを　

あきづはやぐひ　かくのごと　

なににおはむと　そらみつ　やまとのくにを　あきづしまとふ

吉野の 袁牟漏（峰群）岳

（コムロダケ＝現在の奈良県吉野郡東吉野村小村）に

猪や鹿といった 獣がいると、誰かが、

大前（＝天皇の前で）申し上げたものですから、

（ヤスミシシは「我が大君」の枕詞）我が大君が、猪や鹿を待つと

呉床（アグラ＝神聖な台座）で胡座をかいて座っていた。

（「しろたえ」は「袖」の枕詞）袖も付いた服を着て。

そのとき、

手腓（タコムラ＝コムラはふくらはぎのことで手腓で腕の膨らみのこと）に

虻が 食いついてきた。

その虻を

蜻蛉（アキヅ＝トンボ）が、サっと食べて、飛び去った。

このようなことが、あったので

（「そらみつ」は「倭」の枕詞）倭の国を

蜻蛉島（アキヅシマ）と名付けることにしよう。

助けてくれて、ありがとう！

でも、あなたに助けてって 言った覚えはないわ！

それに、きちんと紹介もされてないのに、

女性に声をかけるなんて 失礼よ。

フン！

-- 魔女の宅急便「キキ」--

さすが魔女だな。僕のばあちゃんみたいだ

-- 魔女の宅急便「トンボ」--

才能をいかした仕事だろ、

ステキだよ。

-- 魔女の宅急便「トンボ」--

釣下手の 竿に来て寝る 蜻蛉かな

-- 横井 也有 --

太古より 虚空を流離う 赤蜻蛉
-- 尾上 有紀子 --

Reference
-----------------------------
Selena Hoy (2019). Flying on Iridescent Wings: Dragonflies in Japan’s Imagination Available: https://discover.silversea.com/destinations/japan/dragonflies-in-japan/