Pretty wild-looking. There is a famous museum in Japan that features a little Shinto shrine covered in iridescent beetle wings. The beetle parts have become dull over the centuries, but it must have looked amazing when it was first made.

Pretty gross.

The first thing that came to mind was

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary

Only in Japan?

Are there any higher quality images of it anywhere? It looks amazing, I’d love to see it in higher detail.

Only slightly more creepy than the butter Buddhas.

Ironic, considering Buddhism discourages the killing of insects.

I was thinking the same thing. But I wonder how he preserved it with so many delicate pincers. A lacquer would take tremendous care to apply — perhaps a spray of some kind?

famous museum in Japan