A Pesticide Company's Unusual Ceremony Pays Tribute to Sacrificed Insects

Every year in Ako City, Japan, the solemn halls of Myodoji Temple become an unexpected venue for an extraordinary event — a ‘transcendence ceremony’ held by Earth Corporation, a prominent pesticide company. Far from a traditional gathering, this ceremony serves as a poignant tribute to the countless insects that met their end in the name of scientific research.

Earth Corporation, revered as Japan's leading household insecticide provider, owes its status to relentless research and a commitment to product effectiveness. Central to this pursuit is their facility in Ako City, where various insect species become subjects for testing. Inevitably, some succumb during these trials. Despite being bred solely for research, the company acknowledges the significance of these tiny lives through an annual ceremony at the revered Myodoji Temple.

In a recent ceremony attended by over 60 Earth Corporation employees, a Daoshi, a Taoist priest, conducted prayers in front of poignant reminders - pictures of deceased insects, ranging from mosquitoes to cockroaches, carefully placed near the temple altar. As hands clasped in reverence, the priest honored the sacrifices made in the name of science.

Tomihiro Kobori, Chief of Earth Pharmaceutical Research, underscored the tendency of many to overlook the value of these sacrifices. He expressed how this ceremony offers a lens into the profound contributions of these insects, often taken for granted in advancing human knowledge and comfort.

Within Earth Corporation’s research facility, a staggering million cockroaches and over a hundred million ticks are bred at any given time for testing, their fate ultimately leading to scientific understanding and human benefit. Yet, despite the vast numbers and their role in the company's success, Earth Corporation solemnly recognizes and respects the importance of their sacrifice.

For over four decades, Earth Corporation has upheld this unique tradition, a testament to their recognition of the insects' sacrifice, and a reminder of the profound impact these small lives have in furthering scientific endeavors.

The transcendence ceremony at Myodoji Temple stands as a poignant tribute, commemorating the silent contribution of these creatures to human knowledge and well-being.