Chinese Fighting Crickets Provide a National Pastime

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 602, 2 March 1929, Page 18

Chinese Fighting Crickets Provide a National Pastime

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HE Chinese have a custom of collecting crickets which they keep in cages. These insects are highly prized for their singing and fight-

ing qualities. Gourds for the most part are vised for these cages, which are especially prepared for the purpose. The flowers of the vine are forced into moulds and as the gourd grows it takes the shape of the mould. In being prepared for use the gourd is sopietimes very handsomely carved with the traditional dragon pattern or some conventionalised design. In some cases it is left plain. The chief skill in ornamentation for the cricket cages is usually in the covers, which in the winter are made in an openwork design to admit air. These covers are often exquisitely carved patterns of jade, ivory, sandal-wood and ebony, some flat and some of a raised pattern. In summer, for the advantage of their coolness, little pottery jars with thick walls are used. The raising of crickets and their special breeding has been a matter of careful study in China for several hundred years. They are prized, first, for their cheerful song, or humming sound, and second, and most important, for their fighting powers. Many members of the wealthier classdfe iu China foster their collections of crickets with all the interest that a sportsman has in keeping up his racing stable.

For sporting purposes, crickets furnish the Chinese all of the thrills that the Occidental gains from a cock fight. Crickets are born fighters. This is partly accounted for by the fact that in the natural state these crickets live in holes in the ground, a single cricket in each hole. It not infrequently happens that one cricket invades another’s hole, and when the original occupant returns there is no question of an amicable settlement of differences. It is a fight to a finish. In almost every case but one cricket remains alive, and, furthermore, the victor promptly devours the body of his victim. These victors are highly prized aud carefully nurtured, and no doubt one victory inspires such a warlike creature with a self-confidence that carries him far on his way to future victories. These prize-fighters are termed "ganorals,” and are recognised, according to experts, by their loud chirping, big heads and necks, long legs and broad bodies aud backs. The fighting tournaments take place in open squares or in special halls provided for the purpose. The fighters are always equally matched in size, weight and colour. They are placed in a jar for the fight, and there is a referee who directs it. This man uses a tickler to spur the combatants on, for when they first face each other they are inclined to desert the field. When ready to fight they jump for each other’s heads, and their chief weapons are their antennae. As the fight proceeds the belligerents become more merciless. Legs

aud antennae are torn off, and finally the stronger usually pounces on the weaker and finishes the fight at a blow.

These cricket fights have become such a rage in China that the betting often runs into the hundreds of thousands. Many tales are told of the prowess of the insects, and an extraordinary amount of care is bestowed by owners on their singing and fighting pets.

For several centuries the Chinese have been caging crickets in order that their concerts might be enjoyed In the autumn the ladies of the royal palace formerly caught crickets i® golden cages and kept them beside their pillows to enjoy their chirpin? during the night. Songs have been written of the crickets’ cheerful noise. This custom, which originated in the royal palace, spread through all the classes. The Chinese have green.

black, yellow and purple crickets, the green and black ones being more highly prized. The black tree cricket, known as the “golden bell,” is called from its resemblance in sound to the bells used by the priestesses *® the sacred dances. The Chinese keep numbers of these crickets in their homes, and the rich employ experts to care for their pet®When one enters the hsuses a dm greets the ears which in no way pears, to disturb the Chinese owner. In summer, the insects are fed o® cucumbers, lettuce and other greens, while the diet is varied in the w'intel to beans and crushed chestnuts, al®° chipped fish. Honey is used for * tonic, and the Chinese have w ritten • number of books on the proper di® l for crickets.