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Bug Buddha Sculptures

89-Year-Old Man Creates Sculpture from 20,000 Dead Insects

— August 31, 2009 — Unique
An 89-Year-Old Japanese man created this Buddha sculpture using 20,000 dead bugs. It took Inamura Yoneiji six years to complete this Buddha tribute, using mostly dead beetles along the way.

Inamura Yoneiji said he wanted to help the souls of the deceased insects and thought creating a Buddha with their bodies was the best way to do it.

“For children in the years immediately after World War II, Japan was poor and there was little entertainment available, aside from catching bugs,” said Inamura Yoneiji. “However, every bug would eventually die after being caught. By making a statue of a Buddha from their dead bodies, perhaps their souls can rest in peace."
Trend Themes
1. Insect-based Art - Opportunity for artists to explore using insects as a medium for creating unique and thought-provoking artworks.
2. Sustainable Art - Potential for artists to create eco-friendly art using recycled and repurposed materials, like dead insects.
3. Cultural Tribute Art - Possibility for artists to pay homage to different cultures and beliefs through their creative expressions, like Inamura Yoneiji's Buddha sculpture made from dead insects.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Artists can push boundaries by incorporating unconventional materials into their works, such as insects.
2. Entomology - Opportunity for researchers and scientists to study insects and their cultural significance in various contexts, including art.
3. Sustainable Fashion - Potential for fashion designers to explore eco-friendly and unconventional materials, like using dead insects for intricate embellishments or prints.
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