M008 - Hachi 蜂

Bee-shaped Menuki (Hachi - 蜂).

Menuki Omote: 30mm length, 16mm width, 4mm height

Menuki Ura: 34.5mm length, 15mm width, 4.5mm height

The Kanji of the bee, Hachi 蜂 is composed of 2 Kanjis. The left part is the insect, Mushi 虫, and the right part Hiku 夆, means to resist. So the bee is the insect that resists.
Bees are a symbol of organization, productivity, teamwork, but also fertility, prosperity and harmony with nature.
Honey was considered a valuable medicine in ancient Japan. Since the end of the 9^th century, honey was presented as an offering to the Emperor.
In Japanese folklore, bees are sometimes considered to be the spirits of ancestors. They carry messages from the deceased and are protective of the family.