Japanese Sensitivity to Traditional Sounds Like Wind Chimes and Insects Might Be Unnoticed by Westerners

Listening to various insect sounds simultaneously makes it easier to produce alpha waves.

“We have the image that the sound of crickets is beautiful, but in reality, opportunities to hear this sound have decreased. On the other hand, the bush crickets are more familiar to the subjects because they have heard them more frequently. It is thought that this familiarity made the sound feel more pleasant.”

Associate Professor Hozumi suggests that the environment in which the sounds are heard may also play a significant role.

“When we measured brain waves, we had the subjects listen to the sound of a single insect chirping.

However, in nature, you don’t hear just the sound of one insect; there may be many insects chirping, or various insects making sounds.

In fact, when we tested brain waves using processed cricket sounds that were continuous, the rate of alpha wave induction was higher than with the field crickets. I think the listening environment is also important.”

1/f fluctuation refers to a perfect harmony between regular and irregular sounds. We might unconsciously perceive this 1/f fluctuation in insect sounds.

The ability of the Japanese to distinguish insect sounds, a skill passed down through the ages, might be lost if opportunities to listen to these sounds decrease.

“Each insect sound is different, and interacting with various aspects of nature is also about understanding the diversity of life.

In today’s world, where experiencing nature has become more challenging, I hope children can get accustomed to nature from an early age and have experiences that allow them to sense the changing seasons. It’s also good to participate in local cultural and historical experiences to appreciate the charm of these elements.”

Satoshi Hozumi, Associate Professor at the Department of Child Education, Ibaraki Christian University. After researching topics such as “The Impact of Insect Sounds on Human Sensitivity” and “Nest Building Methods and Climate Adaptation of Paper Wasps,” he now focuses on leading outdoor activities for children and training educators and caregivers who can enjoy various aspects of nature with the children.