Japanese Rhinoceros beetle (kabuto-mushi)
Artist/Culture
Azechi, Umetaro
(Japanese, 1902–1999)
Date1977
MediumWoodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensionssheet: 22.8 x 26.6 cm (9 x 10 1/2 in.)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift of Mrs. David J. Milliken
Object number2006.521
Label TextThe rhinoceros beetle found in Japan lives in forests and on plains in mountainous areas of low elevation. Male rhinoceros beetles are majestic, with large lustrous bodies with two pairs of wings and horns on their head. The males use their large Y-shaped horns to compete against one-another for mates or to defend their feeding spots. Females are plain-looking and have wedge-shaped heads.
Hatching out of eggs, the larvae live in soil or rotten wood that is rich in organic matter until they turn into pupae. The adult beetles emerge out of their cocoons between May and August to sip the sap from tree trunks, feed on rotten fruit and vegetables, gnaw on tree trunks, and chew on the bases of leafstalks. The rhinoceros beetle in Azechi's print is shown resting on a cabbage leaf and a piece of bark.
Depending on the quality and quantity of food that they ate while still in the larvae stage, Japanese rhinoceros beetles develop into various sizes. This species is strongly attracted to light sources at night, and can therefore easiest be found under street lamps on mountain roads. Popular as pets, the beetles are sold in department stores.ProvenanceMrs. David J. Milliken, Worcester, MAOn View
Not on view
