The Japanese word for moth is ga. See the table below for a list of some of the most common moth species found in Japan with their kana spellings and pronunciations.
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| Romanji | Kanji | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Moth ガ | Ga | 蛾 | |
| Purple dogwood moth ムラサキミズキツヤコガ | Murasaki mizukitsuyako ga | None | |
| Green long-tailed moth ミドリヒゲナガ | Midori higena ga | None | |
| Eurasian long-tailed moth ホソオビヒゲナガ | Hosoobi higena ga | None | |
| Miyama longfin moth ミヤマコヒゲナガ | Miyama kohigena ga | None | |
| Sawtooth leaf moth クヌギキハモグリガ | Kunugiki hamoguri ga | None |
Interesting facts about moths in Japan
Japan is home to 6,000 different species of moth. Some of the moths found in Japan include the luna, the garden tiger, the purple dogwood, and the Japanese silk moth. The Japanese silk moth is particularly interesting because it produces a very strong type of silk. Read more about these 6,000 different types here.
What do moths symbolize in Japan?
Moths play a role in Japanese culture and are often mentioned in literature and depicted in art as they symbolize birth, death and rebirth. Some even believe them to be the spirits of the dead on their way to the afterlife.