Wrestling Roaches

There are some things in life that I'm better off not knowing about.

Like the information contained in this blog.  

But in the interest of fostering the minds and raising the IQs of my readers, here goes:

Deep breath.

Children in Japan keep insects as pets.  And they name them.  Names like Sumatra Hirata. 

And they play with them.  And teach them tricks.  And how to wrestle.

Especially if their special insect pet is a stag beetle.

I know what you're thinking.  How the heck can you teach a bug how to wrestle?  

Apparently the athlete's diet is important.  He needs supplemental feedings of energy-rich food such as sugar.  

During practice, the trainer blows a small noisemaker that sounds like the female stag beetle's mating call.  Sumatra's hormones then take over; he wants a woman and will wrestle any stag beetle that gets in his way.

(Really, not much different from high school wrestling.)

Time for another deep breath.

In Japan, you can buy live insects in vending machines. I AM NOT KIDDING.

You can also buy insects at bug stores.  Price tags for a beetle can range from a few hundred yen (a few dollars) to around 300,000 yen ($2,800).  Last year a stag beetle was sold for 10 million yen.   

Which is ridiculous!  Think about how much wine you could buy with 10 million yen.

Many Japanese children lack the resources to buy insects, and opt to hunt for their bugs.  Which brings me to the newest product on the Japan Trend Shop web site: The Mikilocos Insect Getter Catcher.    

(Is it just me, or is that name a wee bit redundant?) 

The Mikilocos Insect Getter Catcher appears to be pretty straight forward to operate.  Apparently, you first have to pose like Charlie's Angels.  Then pull the trigger.  The bug-catching arm will grab the bugs so you can deposit them into their new home.

And you can begin training them for their wrestling careers. 

The  Mikilocos Insect Getter Catcher sells for $30 on the Japan Trend Shop web site, a bit outside of my blog budget.  As you know, I could most certainly reproduce this product with materials I purchase at the Dollar Store.

I have decided not to do that.

I'm afraid it might work.