Jul
25
2012

Aka Tombo: The Red Dragonfly

When visiting Japan one of the more pleasant insects you might see if you’re a bit lucky is the red dragonfly (aka tombo, 赤とんぼ).
My area seems to be especially famous as many of them used to gather there, but I heard that in recent years there are less and less.

Favorite Photo #3: Aka Tombo – The Red Dragonfly

I didn’t expect to see one at all, but when I visited the Kokoen Garden next to Himeji Castle during the Himeji Yukata Festival in June, I stumbled upon one.
With their bright red color they stick out anyways. It’s hard NOT to see them! smilie

There’s also a rather famous Japanese song called “Aka Tombo“. Nowadays you can find many different versions of it!

Isn’t the red draonfly a beautiful insect?
What do you think?

I hope you’ll be lucky as well and encounter one of the rarer insects or animals – the harmless ones(!) – when traveling through Japan.

Thanks for reading. smilie

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Insects and other pests

14 Comments

Japan Australia 78 2012/7/25 @ 16:52

I haven’t been lucky enough yet to spot a 赤とんぼ in my area. I’ll have to keep a closer eye out the next time I’m back in Japan :)

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- zoomingjapan 766 2012/7/30 @ 11:51
  
  The funny thing is that I didn’t look for them at all. It just appeared in front of me!
  Now that I am more careful and try to find another one, I don’t get to see any …. ^-^;
  
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Haikugirl 23 2012/7/25 @ 17:12

Wow – that’s gorgeous!!

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- zoomingjapan 766 2012/7/30 @ 11:52
  
  It really is! Maybe I should keep one as pet? JK!
  
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Alita 3 2012/7/25 @ 20:24

Those are super pretty. Don’t think I’ve seen anything but rather small blue\green dragon flies here in Tokyo.

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- zoomingjapan 766 2012/7/30 @ 11:55
  
  I think those are the most common ones anyways. That’s what I’ve been seeing the most, too!
  I hope I’ll get to see another red dragonfly soon!
  
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Alyse 17 2012/7/26 @ 2:46

I’m no good with insects, but it is quite a sight!
Did you visit Himeji castle too?? I used to always joke with my students about buying Himeji to live in It so gorgeous and one of my fave tours

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- zoomingjapan 766 2012/7/30 @ 11:58
  
  Well, dragonflies are harmless, so I don’t mind them at all, especially if they’re THAT beautiful!!
  I didn’t really visit the castle that time, I just wandered around in the park a little to hunt for stray cats!
  I’ve been to and inside of Himeji Castle many times already – the first time in 2007 when it was still not covered by all those reconstruction thingies.
  It’s still one of my favorite castles, though! ^-^
  
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Rinn 1 2012/7/26 @ 15:42

Wow thats Cool! Never knew or seen a red dragonfly before!~ sooo beautiful! I wanna paint 1 now! thanks for inspiring me!~

Comment on your poupee girl later!

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- zoomingjapan 766 2012/7/30 @ 12:00
  
  Oh, wow! You are welcome!
  I’d love to see your work once it’s done if you don’t mind!!
  
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Cat 7 2012/8/14 @ 18:21

Gorgeous! I want to see one too. I’ve heard that there are enormous spiders in Japan, but I’d rather not meet them

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- zoomingjapan 766 2012/8/20 @ 10:46
  
  I chased a lot of dragonflies and butterflies during my summer vacation trip, but it’s so difficult to get good shots of them. They’re just too fast! ^-^;
  I love the black and blue ones (that goes for both, dragonflies and butterflies) ^-^
  They are so beautiful!
  
  Not only enormous spiders, I fear ….
  
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weltentdeckerfrosch 11 2012/8/29 @ 10:24

Woaaa!
So beautiful!!

How did you manage to get such a perfect picture?
They must be so fast!!!

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- zoomingjapan 766 2012/8/31 @ 13:25
  
  I was so happy that I was able to take a decent shot.
  Usually I run after dragonflies or butterflies, but they really move fast, so it’s almost impossible to get a nice photo! ^-^;
  
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